BBC World Service East Asia Schedule Friday 20 March 2026

East Asia Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 00:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 00:06GMT
  The Explanation—The Media Show: Reporting from Inside Iran
  How CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen was one of the first journalists to gain access to the war(R)
3. 00:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 00:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
4. 00:32GMT
  Unspun World with John Simpson—How is the Iran war impacting the global economy?
  John Simpson analyses the economic effects of the war in the Middle East
5. 01:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 01:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
6. 01:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 01:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
7. 01:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 01:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
8. 01:32GMT
  The Global Story—The war in Lebanon, explained
  The BBC’s correspondent in Beirut on how we got here and what’s next(R)
9. 02:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 02:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
10. 02:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 02:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
11. 02:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 02:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
12. 02:32GMT
  Tech Life—Screen time ‘rewiring our brains’
  The effect of screen time on young children. Plus a listener tells us his AI voice story.(R)
13. 03:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 03:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
14. 03:06GMT
  Outlook—The fighter pilot who saved 148 lives
  Fighter pilot Tammie Jo Shults calmy landed a passenger plane saving 148 people on board(R)
15. 03:50GMT
  What in the World—Looksmaxxing: Why men are going to extremes to look good
  A looksmaxxer tells his story.
16. 04:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 04:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
17. 04:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 04:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
18. 04:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 04:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
19. 04:32GMT
  Heart and Soul—Can yoga be Christian?
  Can yoga be Christian? We meet practitioners and teachers debating a new type of practice
20. 05:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 05:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
21. 05:06GMT
  Newsday—Israel says it 'acted alone' in strikes on Iranian gas field
  The Israeli attack was followed by Iranian attacks on Qatari gas installations
22. 05:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 05:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
23. 05:32GMT
  BBC Inside Science—Is quantum computing having its moment?
  The UK government announces a £2billion investment in quantum computing.(R)
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Morning
1. 06:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 06:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 06:06GMT
  Newsday—Israel says it will hold off future attacks on Iranian gas fields
  Israeli Prime Minister rejected accusations that he'd dragged Trump into Iran war
3. 07:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 07:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
4. 07:06GMT
  Newsday—Gulf countries and Israel are under renewed attacks by Iran
  In Kuwait, multiple drone attacks have caused a fire at the Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery
5. 08:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 08:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
6. 08:06GMT
  The Interview—Ali Bahreini, Iran’s UN Ambassador: No surrender
  Evan Davis and Iran UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini discuss the war and strikes on Gulf states.
7. 08:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 08:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
8. 08:32GMT
  Business Daily—The struggle to find care that sparked a business
  Greymate Care founder and CEO, Chika Madubuko, built a platform to make caregiving easier
9. 08:50GMT
  Witness History—Women's rights in independent Tunisia
  In 1956, Tunisia gained independence and soon gave new rights to women
10. 09:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 09:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
11. 09:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 09:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
12. 09:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 09:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
13. 09:32GMT
  BBC Inside Science—Is quantum computing having its moment?
  The UK government announces a £2billion investment in quantum computing.(R)
14. 10:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 10:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
15. 10:06GMT
  Unexpected Elements—In the name of science
  Katy Perry vs Katie Perry, a trademark war has us exploring the science of names
16. 11:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 11:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
17. 11:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 11:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
18. 11:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 11:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
19. 11:32GMT
  The Global Story—Netanyahu is not dead. So why did the internet think he was?
  Is Iran the first AI slop war?
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 12:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 12:06GMT
  Outlook—Outlook Mixtape: On your bike
  Cycling to find love, redemption and a university education
3. 12:50GMT
  Witness History—Women's rights in independent Tunisia
  In 1956, Tunisia gained independence and soon gave new rights to women(R)
4. 13:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 13:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
5. 13:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 13:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
6. 13:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 13:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
7. 13:32GMT
  Heart and Soul—Can yoga be Christian?
  Can yoga be Christian? We meet practitioners and teachers debating a new type of practice(R)
8. 14:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 14:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
9. 14:06GMT
  Newshour—Iran marks Persian new year under US-Israeli bombardment
  Several gulf countries are also celebrating Eid al-Fitr amidst Iranian attacks
10. 15:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 15:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
11. 15:06GMT
  The Interview—Ali Bahreini, Iran’s UN Ambassador: No surrender
  Evan Davis and Iran UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini discuss the war and strikes on Gulf states.(R)
12. 15:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 15:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
13. 15:32GMT
  Business Daily—The struggle to find care that sparked a business
  Greymate Care founder and CEO, Chika Madubuko, built a platform to make caregiving easier(R)
14. 15:50GMT
  World Business Express—'Work from home and limit flights', urges IEA, as fuel crisis deepens
  The International Energy Agency says everyone needs to cut their energy consumption
15. 16:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 16:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
16. 16:06GMT
  Outside Source—Iran war: The global impact
  BBC correspondents give their analysis of the Iran war
17. 17:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 17:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
18. 17:06GMT
  Outside Source—Trump calls Nato allies 'cowards' over Strait of Hormuz
  Energy fears have kept oil prices high, hovering around $109 a barrel
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 18:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 18:06GMT
  Outlook—Outlook Mixtape: On your bike
  Cycling to find love, redemption and a university education(R)
3. 18:50GMT
  Witness History—Women's rights in independent Tunisia
  In 1956, Tunisia gained independence and soon gave new rights to women(R)
4. 19:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 19:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
5. 19:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 19:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
6. 19:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 19:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
7. 19:32GMT
  Sport Today—2026/03/20 GMT
  BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.
8. 20:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 20:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
9. 20:06GMT
  Newshour—20/03/2026 20:06 GMT
  Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.
10. 21:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 21:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
11. 21:06GMT
  BBC Conversations—Navigating the Strait of Hormuz
  Sailors share their experiences of navigating the Strait
12. 21:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 21:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
13. 21:32GMT
  CrowdScience—Can I unlock my car using my head?
  Wireless keys work better if you press them against your skull. But why?
14. 22:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 22:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
15. 22:06GMT
  The Newsroom—20/03/2026 22:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
16. 22:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 22:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
17. 22:32GMT
  World Business Report—IEA warns looming global energy crisis is worst in history
  The body says the world faces the “greatest global energy security challenge in history”
18. 23:00GMT
  BBC News—20/03/2026 23:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
19. 23:06GMT
  The Interview—Ali Bahreini, Iran’s UN Ambassador: No surrender
  Evan Davis and Iran UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini discuss the war and strikes on Gulf states.(R)
20. 23:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—20/03/2026 23:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
21. 23:32GMT
  Heart and Soul—Can yoga be Christian?
  Can yoga be Christian? We meet practitioners and teachers debating a new type of practice(R)
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00GMT
  BBC News—21/03/2026 00:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 00:06GMT
  Unexpected Elements—In the name of science
  Katy Perry vs Katie Perry, a trademark war has us exploring the science of names(R)
3. 01:00GMT
  BBC News—21/03/2026 01:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
4. 01:06GMT
  The Newsroom—21/03/2026 01:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
5. 01:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—21/03/2026 01:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
6. 01:32GMT
  The Global Story—Netanyahu is not dead. So why did the internet think he was?
  Is Iran the first AI slop war?(R)
7. 02:00GMT
  BBC News—21/03/2026 02:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
8. 02:06GMT
  The Newsroom—21/03/2026 02:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
9. 02:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—21/03/2026 02:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
10. 02:32GMT
  Americast—Trump v Anthropic: The battle over who controls AI
  AI company Anthropic labelled a national security risk after saying "No" to the Pentagon
11. 03:00GMT
  BBC News—21/03/2026 03:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
12. 03:06GMT
  Outlook—Outlook Mixtape: On your bike
  Cycling to find love, redemption and a university education(R)
13. 03:50GMT
  What in the World—How the White House is using hype videos to sell the Iran war
  Trump and his social pages on TikTok are memeifying the war on Iran
14. 04:00GMT
  BBC News—21/03/2026 04:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
15. 04:06GMT
  Unexpected Elements—In the name of science
  Katy Perry vs Katie Perry, a trademark war has us exploring the science of names(R)
16. 05:00GMT
  BBC News—21/03/2026 05:01 GMT
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
17. 05:06GMT
  The Newsroom—21/03/2026 05:06 GMT
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
18. 05:30GMT
  BBC News Summary—21/03/2026 05:30 GMT
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
19. 05:32GMT
  The Climate Question—Q&A: Beavers, solar panels in the Sahara and nuclear waste
  The Climate Question panel answer your queries on all things climate.(R)

Saturday 21 March 2026

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