BBC Considering News Gathering Alliance With ABC
The BBC is considering approaching ABC with the intention of creating a news gathering alliance, after merger talks between the American television network and CNN stalled.
ABC had been in merger talks with CNN, the cable news network owned by AOL Time Warner, for some months until it was announced that the discussions had been put on hold. This created an opportunity for the BBC, which has one of the world’s largest news operations, to propose an alternative solution to ABC.
The BBC already has a news gathering alliance with ABC dating back to the early nineties and a report in today’s Financial Times suggests that the Corporation is eager to extend the agreement with co-branded news services and shared bulletins.
A spokesman for the BBC dismissed the reports as “pure speculation” and emphasised the possibility of a revival of talks between ABC and CNN.
It is thought that a BBC/ABC alliance, which could clear the way for the regular distribution of BBC news on the ABC network, would mirror the ABC/CNN link-up, but would stop short of a merger.
It is understood that the CNN deal would see the cable channel provide international coverage and breaking news stories to ABC. In return CNN would expand its US domestic audiences with regular exposure on the ABC network.
The BBC has been working to expand its North American operations and now provides news bulletins to over 200 public broadcasting stations.
Last week it was announced that BBC1 had extended its annual ratings lead over ITV1, with the success of the World Cup, extra investment in drama and more landmark factual programmes helping the channel to increase its share of viewing during 2002 (see BBC1 Extends Annual Ratings Lead Over ITV1).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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