The BBC has launched its new news site with a North American edition (BBC.com instead of BBC.co.uk). It’s also beefed up its video, navigation and layout.

Editors Weblog reports:

“A new dedicated website team based in the BBC’s Washington DC office will be “making sure that a new, North America edition front page reflects the stories, themes and issues which matter most to our users in the US and Canada,” according to an article by the news website editor Steve Herrmann and the editor of the North America edition Matt Davis.

“The editors promise “fast and comprehensive coverage of major stories affecting North America,” citing the new US online news team’s coverage of the sacking of General Stanley McChrystal as an example. New editorial features include Global Views, a series exploring America’s relationship with the world, a new blog called American Frei by Matt Frei, and a video blog by World News America’s Franz Strasser on immigration in the US.

“However, the editors stress that this does not mean that the BBC is becoming a US news site in all but name. “Our agenda will remain distinctively global, underpinned by the BBC’s extensive international newsgathering operation,” the article said. According to AdAge, the editorial team will be focused on political stories, but will also tackle other relevant areas such as sports and entertainment. It will also publish a travel section in August.”