Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

BBC spreads its worldwide net

Dawn Hayes
Saturday 01 November 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The BBC will take another leap towards becoming a global commercial media group on Tuesday when it launches a news service on the Internet, a week before its 24-hour rolling news channel, to be shown on cable and BBC1 late at night, begins.

The new services follow yesterday's launch of pay-TV channels by Flextech that make commercial use of the BBC's TV programme library for the first time. The BBC plans similar services in the US.

The new developments are all part of the BBC's strategy to transform itself from public service broadcaster to a digital multimedia company with a global reach, able to take on commercial competitors, including CNN and News Corp. They are also part of a belated campaign to leverage the brand internationally.

"We're at the starting blocks of changing the public service tradition in the BBC for a new age, and there's lots more to come," said Tony Hall, chief executive of BBC News. He said the BBC can continue to perform a public service role and develop a separate position as a commercial player. BBC News Online, the Internet service, is an example of this dual approach.

Analysts agree. "The BBC's Internet service is about reaching new audiences with quality TV," said Ramona Liberoff, executive consultant at KPMG's information, communications and entertainment group. She said it could use that reputation to sell its other programmes on a commercial basis.

Both the Internet service and rolling news are funded out of licence fee payments and will be available worldwide free-of-charge. Mr Hall said he plans to use half the 30 per cent savings targeted by the BBC over the next five years, which included job cuts, to continue funding News 24 and BBC News Online.

The services will carry no advertising, but Hall said other Internet services, developed by the BBC's commercial arm, will carry advertising. It will also offer an Internet version of Top Gear, its TV programme about cars, but under a "Beeb" brandname.

Copyright: IOS & Bloomberg

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in