ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service Television News began at 7pm GMT on 11 March 1991. It was launched to complement World Service radio, at a time when demand for impartial 24 hour global news television was growing. It started in Europe but by the end of the year had expanded into Asia and the Middle East. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Chairman Marmaduke Hussey introduced the service; "The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ brand is a world leader. The more widely it is known, the more credit it brings to our country."
The service was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, funded by subscriptions and advertising. It proved its value in times of conflict, such as the Kosovo crisis of 1999, when viewers and contributors - including US government officials and the Albanian Prime Minister - praised its coverage. World Service Television News changed its name as its reputation grew, first to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World and then - in 1998 - to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World News.
Today ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World News is available around the clock in over 200 countries with an estimated weekly audience of 76 million. It is available in homes and can be seen in three million hotel rooms, on cruise ships, airliners and mobile phones.
March anniversaries
- 
              ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Producer Guidelines published1 March 1989
- 
              Truly Madly Deeply1 March 1992
- 
              Launch of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Four2 March 2002
- 
              Housewives' Choice4 March 1946
- 
              Round the Horne7 March 1965
- 
              Pennies From Heaven7 March 1978
- 
              The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy8 March 1978
- 
              French and Saunders9 March 1987
- 
              The Frost Report10 March 1966
- 
              World Service Television News11 March 1991
- 
              First broadcast by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Dance Orchestra12 March 1928
- 
              Launch of the Latin American Service14 March 1938
- 
              I’d Do Anything15 March 2008
- 
              This Life18 March 1996
- 
              First televised Budget speech20 March 1990
- 
              Up Pompeii23 March 1970
- 
              Letter From America24 March 1946
- 
              Newswipe with Charlie Brooker25 March 2009
- 
              The return of Doctor Who26 March 2005
- 
              Grand National televised26 March 1960
- 
              Troubleshooter27 March 1990
- 
              Opening of new Crystal Palace transmitter28 March 1956
- 
              Going for a Song31 March 1965
- 
              Teletubbies begins31 March 1997
