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WORLDNET Television, like the other elements of the International Broadcasting Bureau, provides news and public affairs programs that reflect American life and includes discussions of United States foreign and domestic policies. While the Television Service was established in 1951, WORLDNET originated in 1983 as a semi-regular, international, satellite teleconference service. In April 1985, it moved to regular satellite service, targeted to specific parts of the world. Over the next few years, the Service expanded to 24 hours on four regional satellites. Today, its programs are seen on seven satellites, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by a worldwide audience through broadcast outlets, cable systems, and direct-to-home satellite receivers.

Program formats include news reports, feature magazines, and live call-in shows, many of them co-produced with the Voice of America. Programs are in Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, English, Farsi, French, Indonesian, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and other languages. In addition to news and public affairs, WORLDNET's programs report on American cultural, business, scientific, and technological developments.

Live, simulcast phone-in talk shows are a major feature of WORLDNET for viewers around the world. Some specific examples of WORLDNET programming are below.

• Africa Journal is a weekly public affairs call-in television program that addresses issues important in Africa, such as political and democratic movements, trade and development, human rights, and press freedoms.
• Conversemos en Esta Noche is a popular Spanish-language weekly talk show, with viewers and radio listeners all over Latin America participating in discussions with special guests on topics including education, commerce, democracy building, U.S. immigration laws, women's rights, and illegal drug trafficking.
• Foro Interamericano, a weekly, Spanish-language public affairs and reporters roundtable program that examines issues of concern in the U.S. and Latin America. Foro has partnered with affiliate broadcasters to produce the program on location during major events in the hemisphere.
• Global Exchange broadcasts in Arabic and English and reaches broadcasters and audiences throughout the Middle East, with newsmakers sharing their insights and analysis on current events.
• Straight Talk Africa, a live weekly call-in simulcast, takes a comprehensive and in-depth look at political, military, trade, industry, health, and social issues affecting Africans. The program is simulcast in sub-Saharan Africa on television, radio, and the Internet. Straight Talk Africa is a joint WORLDNET/VOA production, and its guests include high-profile politicians, diplomats, and analysts.
• Strait Talk, a weekly, Mandarin-language simulcast radio and television program invites listeners in China and Taiwan to call-in and debate cross-strait relations with experts in Washington and Taipei.
• Washington Window focuses on East Europe, the Balkans, and Russia, drawing regional journalists together with Washington newsmakers on major issues of the day in English and appropriate languages.
• On the Line is a twice-weekly 30-minute roundtable discussion of U.S. policies and contemporary issues. A regular host brings U.S. officials and non-governmental experts together for a lively and high-level exchange of ideas over U.S. foreign policy, its goals and impact.

A variety of news and business news programs seen daily throughout the U.S. is also transmitted over WORLDNET, including: The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, The Nightly Business Report, Bloomberg Information Television, and First Business. Also seen on WORLDNET are Tech Now, which gives viewers up-to-date information on computer software and hardware, and Silicon Valley Business, which shows users how they can apply the Internet to their personal and professional lives.

Other programs produced by WORLDNET are Doing Business, a program focusing on American entrepreneurship; Science World, a monthly science, technology, and medical program; and Window on America, a weekly magazine program for Ukraine.

The IBB and BBG

The WORLDNET Television and Film Service, the Voice of America, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), and the Office of Engineering and Technical Services form the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB). The IBB was established when President Clinton signed the International Broadcasting Act of 1994. The IBB reports to a nine-member, bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). Eight board members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and the ninth ex officio member is the Secretary of State.

The BBG supervises the operations of the three federally funded broadcast elements of the IBB, which are VOA, WORLDNET, and Radio and TV Marti. The BBG also administers congressionally appropriated grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), two non-profit corporations. The BBG became an independent federal entity on October 1, 1999.

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