Doctor Who Over The Net?Bookmark and Share

Monday, 18 July 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The Media Guardian notes today that the BBC may sell its programs over the internet -- including to overseas users -- and may also take advertising on its website for the first time, in a new plan to boost revenue. "It's something we've been mandated to do by our charter," says Ashley Highfield, director of BBC new media and technology. "It's now become possible because we have internet rights that we could charge for, and we now have the technology." The article notes that "New technology makes it possible for the BBC... to identify exactly where its internet users are coming from. ... The BBC has previously investigated advertising to overseas users of its website, but concluded that the technology was too unreliable. Now, it is prepared to re-examine the idea. While it is unlikely that straightforward online news coverage would be accompanied by advertising, other elements of the BBC.co.uk site could be accompanied by ads if viewed from abroad." The article notes that the BBC will stage a large scale public trial of its interactive Media Player (iMP) technology later this year (aimed at providing UK licence fee payers with the means to download any programme or radio show from the previous week); overseas users would then be charged a fee or subscription after the system is approved and goes live. There's no word, however, if Doctor Who would be included in this... but it's a very promising possibility. Also reported at Brand Republic. (Thanks to Paul Hayes, Mark Healey)




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