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Commercial services
The Trust plays an important role in regulating the BBC's commercial services.
BBC commercial services
The BBC's commercial services are those it undertakes through commercial subsidiaries in order to make a profit. Profits are returned to licence fee payers via additional investment in the BBC's UK public service output.
Role of the Trust
The Trust is not responsible for overseeing the activities of the BBC's commercial subsidiaries – this is the job of the Executive Board. The Trust approves the commercial strategy adopted by the Executive Board and ensures it is compatible with the BBC's Public Purposes and with other principles set out in the Charter and Agreement; and the Trust holds the Executive Board to account for its oversight of the BBC's commercial services.
Principles
All BBC commercial services must conform to the following principles. They must:
- Fit the BBC's Public Purposes
- Exhibit commercial efficiency
- Not jeopardise the good reputation of the BBC or the value of the BBC brand
- Comply with fair trading guidelines and avoid distorting the market
Commercial Strategy Protocol
More detail on the strategic role of the Trust in relation to the BBC's commercial services can be found in the protocol covering commercial strategy. It can be found on the Protocols page.
Proposed new services
The Trust has set a framework within which proposals from management for new BBC commercial services or for significant changes to existing services are assessed. You can find details in the protocol on new commercial services and changes to existing commercial services, on the Protocols page.