Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's multimedia offer for Kyrgyz-speaking audiences has been enriched with the launch of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Kyrgyz television co-production with partner broadcaster, Kyrgyzstan State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company KNTR.

From Wednesday 2 December, the weekly programme Sapar (Journey) airs on KNTR's Channel One, bringing 30 minutes of debate and discussion of various issues of the global and regional agenda.

The first programme, at 1830 local time on Wednesday 2 December, discusses issues around global climate ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The presenter, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Kyrgyz senior producer Gulnara Kasmambetova, engages in a dynamic debate with her guests: Aiday Ashiraleva, ecologist; UN Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan; Urustam Kabylbekov of Public Environmental Fund of Glaciers Saving MONGU; and Aytkul Burhanov of the Government Agency on Ecology and Forestry.

Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Central Asia and Caucasus Service, Hamid Ismailov, says: "I am proud of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Kyrgyz team – the smallest team in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service – as their commitment and their dedicated work, alongside the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's other teams as well as our Kyrgyz partners, have made Sapar happen.

"This new programme further expands our outreach to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's multimedia audiences, on radio, online and on TV, helping to put the world developments in the regional context, and the other way round, taking the Kyrgyz agenda to the global audiences. I hope Sapar soon becomes essential viewing across Kyrgyzstan TV audiences and as it's streamed online on bbckyrgyz.com."

Business Development Manager West Asia, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service, Gemma Hayman, adds: "We are delighted at this new development in our long and valuable partnership with KNTR. For 15 years, our radio programmes have reached audiences throughout Kyrgyzstan on FM through KNTR radio. Working together on this TV project is an exciting next step, enabling us to reach new audiences together."

Sapar is an addition to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Kyrgyz radio programming available on the following frequencies: 103.7 FM in Bishkek; 102.2 FM in Batken and 106.3 FM in Kerben; and nationwide on Kyrgyz State Radio Channel 1. The radio and TV output is available on the news and information website, bbckyrgyz.com.

World Service Publicity