BBC
to launch new commercial subsidiary following
DCMS approval
The
BBC is to launch a new, wholly-owned commercial
subsidiary, BBC Broadcast Ltd, following approval
from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media
and Sport, Tessa Jowell.
The
new company will emerge from the current Broadcasting
& Presentation (B&P) operation in BBC
Television and brings together, under a single
management team, a broad range of channel creation
and management services. It will begin trading
on 2 April, 2002.
BBC
Broadcast Ltd specialises in bringing channels
to life for audiences - encompassing the management,
promotion and play-out of content across all
platforms including TV, radio and the internet.
The companys remit will also include the
creation and execution of branding, cross-media
promotional campaigns, subtitling and other
disability access services.
BBC
Broadcast Ltd joins BBC Resources Ltd and BBC
Technology Ltd in a new Commercial Division
under Director Roger Flynn, appointed last year
by BBC Director-General, Greg Dyke.
Roger
Flynn said today: "This approval means
the BBC can press ahead with trying to increase
commercial revenues as part of the £1.1
billion savings and efficiencies target the
Government set us when the licence fee was reviewed
two years ago.
"B&Ps
creative, editorial and technical expertise
are assets that the BBC will use to generate
income to put back in to programmes and services."
The
management team of BBC Broadcast will be headed
by Pam Masters, currently Director of B&P,
who takes on the role of Managing Director,
supported by a highly experienced team, combining
the best BBC talent with commercial sector experience
and expertise.
Pam
Masters added: "BBC Broadcasts people
and reputation for creativity and innovation
across all media platforms are our core assets.
Incorporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary allows
us to continue improving our service to existing
customers while extending our ability to develop
commercial business."
Notes
to Editors
About
BBC Broadcast Ltd
BBC Broadcast will offer a comprehensive range
of play-out and channel management services
that can be tailored to broadcasters requirements.
Key services include: new channel launches,
play-out and channel management; channel branding,
promotion and packaging; and access services
encompassing subtitling, audio description and
sign language. BBC Broadcast currently provides
services for 17 public service and commercial
television channels, five national radio networks,
39 local radio stations and BBCi.
BBC
Broadcast works closely with its customers to
understand their broadcasting needs and to determine
the right combination of technical and creative
skills required to deliver innovative and cost-effective
solutions.
BBC
Broadcast Ltd fulfils the demand for a single
supplier capable of taking content and converting
it into a compelling channel experience for
established and new broadcasters. It is the
only company which can provide a seamless service
- creatively, technically and editorially -
to bring channels to life and manage brands
across multiple media platforms.
For more information access: www.bbc.co.uk/broadcast
About
BBC Technology Ltd
BBC Technology Ltd began trading on 31 March,
2001 and has been created to maximize the value
of the BBC's unique experience in providing
the technological backbone to complex UK and
global broadcasting requirements. It has been
set up as a wholly BBC-owned commercial subsidiary
in order to generate commercial revenue, while
continuing to serve the technological needs
of the BBC's public service operations.
Hutchison 3G UK Ltd (Hutchison 3G),
holder of the UKs largest third-generation
mobile phone licence, recently announced that
it has awarded BBC Technology a contract to
manage the production of its audio-visual content.
The content will be accessible through Hutchison
3Gs next-generation wireless service.
The
five year collaboration will be based in a centre
in West London, where BBC Technology will process
and edit content on behalf of Hutchison 3G.
Before the content, including news and entertainment,
can be sent to next generation subscribers it
requires processing and converting into a format
that can be delivered to third-generation wireless
devices.
For more information, visit the company's web
site at www.bbctechnology.com
About
BBC Resources Ltd
BBC Resources Ltd is one of the largest production
facilities and design services providers in
the UK offering programme makers services which
include studios, outside broadcasts, post production,
design, costumes and wigs. In 1998 it was set
up as a commercial company, wholly owned by
the BBC, in order to generate additional revenue
for programme making.
For more information, visit the company's web
site at www.bbcresources.com
