192 Million BBC World Service Listeners

As the World Service has announced record audience figures for its radio, television and digital services, the BBC Trust has also started a consultation into the future of the World Service which sets targets for audience levels in future. Global News director Peter Horrocks explores the detail in the figures - why the radio audience is at the heart of the World Service, as well as the growth for BBC digital sites, now reaching 38 million people every week, an increase of 8 million and World Service TV audiences for Persian and Arabic reaching 41.5 million viewers, compared to 28.7 million last year.

He also explains how the change of funding from the Foreign Office to the BBC licence fee payers next April has provided an opportunity to define the purpose of the World Service for the first time, and how listeners have an opportunity to take part in the consultation process.