BBC Launches New Version Of Mobile Website

The BBC has today launched a new version of bbc.co.uk for mobile devices, which emulates the revamped online version of bbc.co.uk.

New content on the site includes a new section for BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat.

Matthew Postgate, BBC controller of mobile, said: “The refresh of our mobile browser service comes at a critical moment in the development of mobile in the UK.

“It is the first step to transforming bbc.co.uk on mobile into a much richer and more engaging experience. In the coming months, our mobile proposition will develop significantly, and include coverage of the summer’s biggest sport events including Euro 2008, the Beijing Olympics and Wimbledon.”

The launch of the refreshed mobile service will be supported by a four-week marketing campaign which will target football fans across the country with a number of TV, outdoor and ambient initiatives.

In-ground media and ad-vans at matches will ask fans to text FOOTBALL to 81010 for a link to the BBC football site. At selected football grounds, Bluetooth technology is being used to send fans a link to the site.

The television trail will run on BBC channels from March 17.

The BBC’s mobile browser service attracts 2.7 million unique users per month, according to Nielsen Mobile, an increase of one million year-on-year (59%).

The Corporation recently announced that the its iPlayer on-demand service is launching on the iPhone and iPod touch (see iPlayer Launches On iPhone).

The iPlayer service will see programmes streamed directly over the internet onto the devices, rather than downloaded.

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk