BBC plans to share its assets

THE BEEB SEEMS full of Christmas cheer as it proposes to not only club together with ITV and BT to bring internet to the TV but also plans to share its iPlayer technology with the likes of Chanel 4, Five and ITV.

Director general Mark Thompson has spoken on these proposals putting forward this idea as well as thoughts to allow other networks to use its local news facilities. All this generosity comes as part of the plan to help public service broadcasters who may struggle as the digital switchover looms.

Thompson said that the Beeb should share its benefits and security with the rest of the industry as he thinks that these partnerships could solve the problem of an uncertain future for public service broadcasters in the UK.

The problem is that once the switchover takes place in 2012 broadcasters such as ITV, Channel 4 and Five will be competing with loads of other media organisations making it hard to produce a good range of programmes.

One of the benefits of this proposal for these other 'less fortunate' and seemingly pitied broadcasters will be the use of the Beeb's iPlayer technology, as they will be able to create their own versions of this in order to offer a catch-up service.

The generosity doesn't stop there though. The Beeb goes one step further with plans to cut the charge it currently demands to publish its listings in newspapers and magazines.

Not everyone is welcoming these proposals with open arms, however. Channel 4's chief executive, Andy Duncan said, "This is overdue recognition from the BBC that it should be using its privileged position to help support the broader public service ecology... we don't believe these proposals offer any tangible financial benefit for Channel 4."

An ITV spokesperson was slightly more optimistic saying that it would be giving the proposals "careful consideration".

The Beeb reckons that its suggestions should be worth a sizeable £120 million a year to public service broadcasters by 2014 which will fit in nicely with Ofcom's plans to fill the estimated funding gap of up to £235m a year across the sector. µ

L'Inq
Beeb