iblog

Mary: TV broadcasts and the internet have an uneasy relationship: if you miss a TV programme nowadays, it’s standard practice to log onto video site youtube.com to see if some kind soul has recorded it and uploaded it for you. Well, it beats kicking the TV screen in, anyway: just don’t mention ‘copyright infringement’.

Now, however, the BBC has cut a deal with the Google-owned Youtube site which will see the launch of three new online “channels”, officially making BBC programmes available online for the first time.

The new services available would be divided into three: a BBC channel with no advertising, offering trailers and clips with the intention of promoting BBC television services; a BBC Worldwide channel providing entertaining clips, which would carry banner advertising and possibly also display video adverts before clips; and a BBC News channel, funded by advertising, showing around 30 news clips per day. The BBC hopes to reach new audiences through the deal with the vastly popular website.

Unsurprisingly, the advertising revenue involved makes this a controversial and groundbreaking move for the BBC. The BBC News channel would not be available to UK customers because of the advertising used, but many still feel that this service will be too commercial, compromising the BBC’s commitment to providing a public service funded solely through TV licensing.