Co-production on the web
The BBC may mount co-productions on both publicly funded and commercially funded web sites. Outside funding is provided in exchange for broadcasting, publishing or other rights to the material. This may entail co-produced material being placed both on a BBC site and a co-producer's site. Or for example, it might involve a software producer working with the BBC on their games engine, with the BBC taking on-air and online rights and the software producer taking rights in other media. The BBC must retain full editorial control of any co-produced material which appears on its pages and should not enter into co-production arrangements with any organisation whose activities could lead to doubts about the BBC's editorial integrity. Co-productions should not provide a means for back-door sponsorship.
The BBC may consider co-productions on the web with broadcasting companies or independent producers. The BBC may also mount co-productions with record or video companies, audio publishers, other recognised content creators, software and web service producers, programme and film distributors, theatres, ballet, opera or music companies and other institutions involved in education or the arts.
However, great care must be taken with any co-producer to avoid promoting their products or services. We must also take care to avoid any potential conflict of interest where a co-producer is also a software producer or in any way involved with the publishing, manufacture or production of computer related products.
All co-productions must be cleared in advance with the relevant Interactive Executive Editor who may wish to consult Editorial Policy.
- There may be a single non promotional credit per site for a co-producer which may include the co-producer's logo. Such credits should be compatible with the BBC Television Credits Guidelines. There should be no other reference to the co-producer.
- If editorially justifiable, there may be a link to the co-producer's site, but it is not permissible to link directly to any page or section of the site which promotes, advertises or sells goods or services.
We must always be aware of funding, sponsorship or promotional agreements which co-production partners or independent production companies may have with others and ensure that they do not conflict with the BBC Editorial Guidelines.