BBC Enters Global Media Market

The BBC has today announced an alliance with Pearson plc. The two companies will aim to aid each other in the development of satellite-delivered television services in markets around the world.

The first move will be two new BBC European television channels; one for entertainment which will be funded by subscription. The other will be a news and information channel which will be funded by advertising. Neither will be available in Britain or Ireland. BBC Deputy Director General, Bob Philis, said, “We have been signalling for some time the opportunity for the BBC to play a major role in the development of the multi-media environment opening up worldwide…Today’s announcements will help the UK fulfil its huge potential in this key market for the future”. Pearson will be represented in the alliance by Pearson Television Holdings, one of whose principal subsidiaries is Thames TV. The BBC has guaranteed that no public funding will play any part in financing the ventures.

The BBC has also announced the re-organisation of BBC Worldwide, which will deliver the new strategies, under the chairmanship of Bob Phillis.

John Birt said of the new developments: “The BBC is already the world leader in terms of global media export earnings. Our vision is of a BBC that maintains its central position a the heart of British broadcasting while at the same time, by virtue of its core values, becomes a major world player in the new broadcasting markets.”