BBC Launches Satellite Channel for Myanmar After Earthquake

In response to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and the subsequent shutdown of Voice of America's broadcasts, the BBC World Service has launched a new direct-to-home satellite channel to deliver BBC News Burmese content via the Thaicom 6 satellite. This service, available for four months, provides crucial TV and audio programming to Myanmar, Thailand, and the wider region, including access to the BBC's Burmese website through an on-screen QR code. The initiative aims to address the urgent need for independent news in a country where press freedom is severely restricted and conflict continues. During the earthquake's aftermath, BBC News Burmese saw its digital reach quadruple as people sought trusted information, prompting the service to extend its live radio bulletins and enhance its reporting from affected areas. The channel also broadcasts a nightly TV bulletin and offers programming through social media and digital partners, ensuring widespread access to vital updates. BBC executives emphasized the importance of providing reliable information to audiences struggling to recover from the disaster.