Michael Grade, the Chairman of the BBC, has announced that BBC World News, the BBC's international news and information channel, will be launched in the US, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The BBC's international news and entertainment channel will initially only be available to RealNetworks' subscribers.

A 14-day free trial is being offered at www.real.com and builds on the availability of selected BBC World News programming, which is already broadcast in around 86m US homes daily on PBS, and at breakfast time on BBC America.

BBC World's Editorial Director, Sian Kevill, said: "Independent research has shown a 40%* increase in the US audience demand for international news recently. BBC World News can deliver this, and has a worldwide reputation for impartial and accurate reporting, and this is at the core of what our teams do to ensure we bring the stories behind the headlines to our audience."

"We are extremely pleased to bring BBC World News to our US subscribers," said Douglas Glen, Director International Video Services, RealNetworks. "This extension of our long-standing partnership in Europe demonstrates the great demand for timely, relevant and global news at your fingertips."

"We are thrilled with the opportunity to offer our US SuperPass members the highly regarded coverage of BBC World News," said Dan Sheeran, Senior Vice President, Music & Video, RealNetworks. "Our members will now have access to live coverage of world events and programming 24/7."