BBC plans £68m local video news network

Source: Technology Digital

Date :25/06/2008 12:28:48

The BBC yesterday, June 24, unveiled plans to spend £68million on a network of 65 websites that will provide local on-demand video news across the country by 2013.

The plans were unveiled as the BBC Trust launched a public value test and consultation on the controversial plan to expand the corporation's local online operation.

The proposals, which face stiff opposition from rival media organizations, would expand the corporation's current network of BBC Local websites from 60 to 65 and add more depth of content, including video.

The expanded BBC Local network would include 47 for England, six for Scotland and two for Northern Ireland. Wales will have five sites, although as each will be in both English and Welsh this equates to 10 overall.

BBC management has forecast the expanded BBC Local network’s operating budget to be £23million by 2012-2013, growing incrementally over five years. This works out at the equivalent of around £350,000 a year for each of the 65 BBC Local sites.

According to reports, by 2013-2014, local video would achieve a weekly reach of around 11 percent of UK households.

A final decision on the BBC Local plan is expected by February 2009.