(14 September 2009 7:55 pm)

MUMBAI: BBC.com's traffic in Asia Pacific has grown by 21 per cent in its monthly reach in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period last year, says the latest results delivered by ComScore.

According to the report, the number of visitors per month has now risen to 8.4 million in the region which is more than twice the size of its nearest competitor. BBC.com remains the largest international broadcast news website in Asia Pacific.

The figures also show loyalty to BBC.com around the globe with 72 per cent of audiences reportedly staying with BBC.com rather than visiting a competitor site (competitive set includes CNBC, Financial Times, CNN.com, MSNBC.com, and the Economist).

The latest ComScore records show considerable peaks in traffic in Asia Pacific particularly during key world events during this time. These include the India elections, the swine flu epidemic and Iranian elections.

BBC.com executive VP, MD Luke Bradley-Jones says, "It's hugely encouraging to see our online presence in Asia Pacific expanding and the loyalty towards our website around the globe."

BBC.com is part of the BBC's international advertising proposition with a multi-screen portfolio that includes BBC World News, BBC Global Channels, BBC Mobile and lonelyplanet.com.