Money’s In The Net At The Beeb

The BBC is launching a commercial Internet site. Beeb will be the BBC’s new on-line entertainment and information service.

Built around BBC programmes, magazines and personalities, beeb aims to create web-based equivalents that extend brand values rather than simply replicating them. There will be a series of webzines focusing on sport, film and TV, motoring, travel, comedy, science, fiction and entertainment. There will also be an on-line shop and the BBC is continuing to develop its public service on-line presence in the areas of news, broadcast, education and World Service. The majority of the content will be freely available to a general audience, although some areas of the site will require payment for access.

Using the quality and reassurance of BBC brands alongside cutting edge design and content, beeb aims to be the UK market leader in terms of overall traffic.

Beeb’s first commercial site, Top Gear http://www.topgear.com, was launched in March. The Score a sports webzine providing fans with a personalized news and results service goes on-line next month and eight other new sites will be launched later on this year.

No public funds are being used to fund this service, but profits raised through advertising, subscriptions and shopping revenues will be reinvested in the BBC’s license fee funded programmes and services.

Harriet Hastings at Powerhouse: 0171 371 2600