BBC Russian launches on messaging service Telegram

Telegram for Android

BBC Russian is now available as a dedicated channel on mobile and desktop messaging service Telegram.

The BBC Russian news channel on Telegram will broadcast the top stories from BBCrussian.com twice a day and will be available on desktops and laptops and phones and tablets running iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

“We are really happy to be adding Telegram to the ever-growing list of platforms on which we reach our audiences. With its special focus on speed and security, Telegram gives us an opportunity to broadcast to the many people who use this messaging app. It is very exciting to be able to deliver the day’s best content to this new audience,” said Artyom Liss, editor, Europe, BBC World Service Languages.

The news comes after Telegram added Channels – a “new tool for broadcasting your messages to large audiences” as a part of its messaging service.

BBC Persian already has over 160,000 subscribers on Telegram, while the BBC said that other language services are also available on LINE, WeChat and Viber – with more to follow.

The BBC claims around 5.5 million people access BBC Russian content every week, with BBCrussian.com content available via BBC Russian apps for Android smartphones, iPhone and iPod touch, and Nokia’s Series 40 devices.