MUMBAI: Listeners throughout France can access the BBC's news gathering operation in English and in Arabic through radio service provider Canalsat thanks to a new partnership with BBC World Service. From 3 October 2005, audiences can hear a range of quality programmes including news, documentaries and analysis, 24*7.

BBC World Service business development manager for Europe Babis Metaxas said: "France has a sophisticated news environment, and we are confident that the global, impartial and accurate information and analysis that the BBC provides will be appreciated and valued.

"The availability of BBC World Service programmes on the Canalsat platform will appeal to a wide range of listeners, especially those with a keen interest in international news, expatriates eager to keep up with developments in their country and people keen to improve their English language skills. The BBC is particularly delighted to have the opportunity to reach, for the first time, a sizeable proportion of France's Arabic-speaking population. The Arabic service is the BBC's oldest language service launched in 1938 and is widely listened to by millions of Arabic speakers across the Middle East."