BBC Commercial Services Approved

The National Heritage Secretary Stephen Dorrell has approved the two BBC commercial satellite services in Europe; the two licences are exempt from requiring an Independent Television Commission licence, but they must be operated as if they were regulated by the ITC.

Also the two services must not be directed at UK audiences, and there must be transparent accounts between the BBC’s commercial services and their public- funded services.

Dorrell, speaking in the Commons said that he welcomed the BBC’s partnership with Pearson, and that it was fully in line with proposals in the White Paper on the future of the BBC.