BBC.com Expands Site with the Launch of - Future

BBC.com Expands Site with the Launch of - Future

LONDON, February 22, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

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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.

Source: BBC Worldwide Limited

For more information on the site, content and authors, please contact: Cassandra Power, Digital Communications Manager, BBC Worldwide, Cassandra.power@bbc.com,
T: +44-(0)20-843-31525 I M : +44-(0)7739-300280,
bbcworldwide.com, twitter.com/bbcwpress

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