BBC.com Expands Site with the Launch of - Future

LONDON, February 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --



New section will explore latest trends from the world of Science, Technology and Health

BBC.com today unveiled the latest of its new sections - Future - to offer audiences outside the UK a host of universal topics focused on future trends in the worlds of science, technology, environment and health.  The new pages will be rooted in robust research to ensure they are informative yet entertaining and complement the technology, science, environment and health news pages already available on the site.

     (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20120222/511284 )

At launch, Future will comprise of 12 columns, specially commissioned features from leading writers in science and technology including: Ed Yong, Phil Ball and Sharon Weinberger, video content from Click, BBC World News's guide to the latest gadgets and goings on from the world of technology, 60 second audio bites and beautifully created Infographics.  The columns will consist of two to three stories and explore an array of practical questions including: 'Why do we… recognize names and not faces', medical myths such as 'Should you ever wake someone who's sleepwalking' and 'Will We Ever…decode dreams'.  

Other columns will explore how we can live with and through technology changes, how we can intelligently design our planet to ensure its survival, current plans for the exploration of space and transport of the future.  The features will delve even further into a number of current and topical debates such as seeking to uncover whether social media can predict the future, and revealing the work that is underway to ensure we can feed the world's current population of seven billion.  There will also be look into hospitals of the future, where scientist and designers work together in a bid to cut the spread of disease.  

Overseas visitors to Future will be able to continue their journey and conversation with others via Twitter https://twitter.com/bbc_future and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BBCFuture where fans will be asked to share their thoughts on the articles.

Chris Davies, acting MD of BBC.com said: "BBC Future is an exciting new addition to BBC.com, offering a new and in depth take on a diverse array of current topics from health to matters of the Universe.  Like its sister site - BBC Travel - we hope this bespoke new section will offer users outside the UK with a thirst for science, technology, health and environment a more informative and entertaining experience."

Jonathan Fildes, Features editor for Future added:   "Our readers have been telling us that they want more science, technology and health on bbc.com, so we've worked hard to deliver this.  Every story aims to combine the cutting edge with an understanding of how these advances affect our lives. And we've recruited some of the best science writers in the world to help tell those stories.  So - whether you want to know what kind of car you will be driving 10 years from now, how your food will be produced in the future or how scientists are beginning to unpick the complexities of your brain - I hope readers agree there is something here for everyone and that they will enjoy exploring the site as much as I've enjoyed putting it together."

This latest addition to BBC.com has been created as part of the BBC's commercial website for audiences out the UK, and is part of the sites ongoing strategy to offer a more relevant and personal experience for international users.  It follows the 2010 launch of a bespoke Travel section and a number of refreshes most recently to the Sports page and homepages across Asia-Pacific.  At launch Future will be supported by commercial partner LEXUS in America.  

For more details on Future, please visit the site at: http://www.bbc.com/future or read more from acting MD, Chris Davies at: http://wp.me/p1k1eH-ek  

NOTES TO EDITORS

BBC.com was launched in November 2007 offering users outside of the UK an international version of the BBC's online site, supported by advertising.   It is currently attracting around 58 million* unique users per month generating revenues to reinvest in BBC content and services.* Source: Omniture April-September 2011 monthly average. This is 17% up YoY, with page views up 33%. BBC.com is an English language site.