In a move aimed at serving needs of Hindi speaking Indian Americans, the British Broadcasting Service has announced making available over phone the content of its Hindi radio service in the US.
As part of this new service, Hindi-speakers in the US can access BBC Hindi audio in two formats, BBC said in a statement.
"By calling 712.432.6586, they can listen to the BBC Hindi one-hour radio news programme which brings news, analysis and interviews on a range of issues, from current affairs to showbiz and sport. Plus, two-minute audio news bulletins in Hindi, updated twice a day, can be accessed by calling 712.432.6585," it said.
Terming it as an exciting development, head of BBC Hindi, Amit Baruah, said more than one in 10 weekly users of its website, bbchindi.com, are from the USA.
"We are really glad that, thanks to this new service, Hindi-speaking audiences in the US can now use our audio content in such a convenient way," Baruah said.
In this regard, BBC has entered into an agreement with the mobile phone radio distribution in North America, AudioNowTM.
"Listeners can now access their favourite content on any mobile device, which we have seen builds tremendous loyalty for broadcasters," Jen Friesen, AudioNow's Director of Public Affairs.
"BBC Hindi's content will now be available to every mobile-phone listener without downloads or the need to access data services. This continues our commitment to expand unique broadcasting content to North American mobile listeners from
around the globe," Friesen said.