BBC Internet to Charge?
Mar 8th 2006, 5:08 am
#1
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BBC Internet to Charge?
The BBC is considering charging non-UK residents to access its website in order to 'commercialise' international traffic.
David Moody, the director of strategy and new media for BBC Worldwide, told a new media conference that in addition to charging overseas visitors the BBC is also looking at running advertisements on its site.
'Now is the right time to look at commercialising international traffic to bbc.co.uk,' he said.
The BBC employed the Accenture business consultancy to evaluate the various options
MediaGuardian reports that the BBC has considered charging international users who do not pay the licence fee before, and has even talked about charging licence payers a top-up fee to cover the cost of putting content online.
Any charges that it does introduce may depend upon the recently announced European Commission review of the way in which public service broadcasters are expanding into new media markets.
'Funding must be transparent, and the broadcaster must behave according to normal market conditions in any commercial activities,' said competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes.
The review is expected to look at whether using a licence fee to fund Internet activities breaches EU laws.
David Moody, the director of strategy and new media for BBC Worldwide, told a new media conference that in addition to charging overseas visitors the BBC is also looking at running advertisements on its site.
'Now is the right time to look at commercialising international traffic to bbc.co.uk,' he said.
The BBC employed the Accenture business consultancy to evaluate the various options
MediaGuardian reports that the BBC has considered charging international users who do not pay the licence fee before, and has even talked about charging licence payers a top-up fee to cover the cost of putting content online.
Any charges that it does introduce may depend upon the recently announced European Commission review of the way in which public service broadcasters are expanding into new media markets.
'Funding must be transparent, and the broadcaster must behave according to normal market conditions in any commercial activities,' said competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes.
The review is expected to look at whether using a licence fee to fund Internet activities breaches EU laws.
Mar 8th 2006, 5:18 am
#2
Powder Maggot
Joined: Nov 2004
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by Boiler
The BBC employed the Accenture business consultancy to evaluate the various options
Originally Posted by Boiler
'Funding must be transparent, ...
Mar 8th 2006, 5:45 am
#3
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by AdobePinon
Does that mean it'll be taken out of our paychecks pre-tax, or post-tax?
Just shooting themselves in the foot.
Mar 8th 2006, 11:01 am
#4
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Stupid idea. Probably by some stupid accountant grad that wants to make a name for themselves.
Even commercial radio stations dont charge for internet access.
Even commercial radio stations dont charge for internet access.
Mar 8th 2006, 11:33 am
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Ah, so because the government said that the licence fee can't fund the switch to digital TV they came up with this idea and are trying to make it look like something else. It's a dmb idea, I like the BBC website but wouldn't pay to use it and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same.
Mar 8th 2006, 11:42 am
#6
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
[QUOTE=Boiler]The BBC is considering charging non-UK residents to access its website in order to 'commercialise' international traffic.
QUOTE]
Well, much to my own surprise, I did subscribe to the New York Times online when it went "subscription optional". I think it is about $50 a year.
I subscribe to the Daily Telegraph online - free - but not to the London Times - not free.
If the BBC wants to charge for it's internet service I'll have to see how they do it. If it is a charge for "enhanced services" that's one thing but if it is a charge to listen to anything but headlines then I will be very opposed.
If I have to pay just to listen to "Any Questions" about once a month then it isn't going to happen.
Surely BBC online comes under the same heading as BBC World Service and they don't charge anyone overseas for that/
QUOTE]
Well, much to my own surprise, I did subscribe to the New York Times online when it went "subscription optional". I think it is about $50 a year.
I subscribe to the Daily Telegraph online - free - but not to the London Times - not free.
If the BBC wants to charge for it's internet service I'll have to see how they do it. If it is a charge for "enhanced services" that's one thing but if it is a charge to listen to anything but headlines then I will be very opposed.
If I have to pay just to listen to "Any Questions" about once a month then it isn't going to happen.
Surely BBC online comes under the same heading as BBC World Service and they don't charge anyone overseas for that/
Mar 8th 2006, 1:19 pm
#7
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by Boiler
The BBC is considering charging non-UK residents to access its website in order to 'commercialise' international traffic.
David Moody, the director of strategy and new media for BBC Worldwide, told a new media conference that in addition to charging overseas visitors the BBC is also looking at running advertisements on its site.
'Now is the right time to look at commercialising international traffic to bbc.co.uk,' he said.
The BBC employed the Accenture business consultancy to evaluate the various options
MediaGuardian reports that the BBC has considered charging international users who do not pay the licence fee before, and has even talked about charging licence payers a top-up fee to cover the cost of putting content online.
Any charges that it does introduce may depend upon the recently announced European Commission review of the way in which public service broadcasters are expanding into new media markets.
'Funding must be transparent, and the broadcaster must behave according to normal market conditions in any commercial activities,' said competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes.
The review is expected to look at whether using a licence fee to fund Internet activities breaches EU laws.
David Moody, the director of strategy and new media for BBC Worldwide, told a new media conference that in addition to charging overseas visitors the BBC is also looking at running advertisements on its site.
'Now is the right time to look at commercialising international traffic to bbc.co.uk,' he said.
The BBC employed the Accenture business consultancy to evaluate the various options
MediaGuardian reports that the BBC has considered charging international users who do not pay the licence fee before, and has even talked about charging licence payers a top-up fee to cover the cost of putting content online.
Any charges that it does introduce may depend upon the recently announced European Commission review of the way in which public service broadcasters are expanding into new media markets.
'Funding must be transparent, and the broadcaster must behave according to normal market conditions in any commercial activities,' said competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes.
The review is expected to look at whether using a licence fee to fund Internet activities breaches EU laws.
Mar 8th 2006, 3:07 pm
#8
The American Job
Joined: Aug 2005
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Posts: 579
Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by Duncan Roberts
It's a dmb idea, I like the BBC website but wouldn't pay to use it and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same.
Mar 8th 2006, 3:20 pm
#9
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
I would pay if it meant we could get TV as well!
We will just all need to become hackers and make the PCs look like they are in the UK!
We will just all need to become hackers and make the PCs look like they are in the UK!
Mar 8th 2006, 3:21 pm
#10
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by britontour
Ditto, there's just too many other websites to get the same info the only thing I'd miss is the Radio Streaming, but again there's plenty of other places and radio stations to listen too.
Am I right in thinking that there is a UK TV licence but no longer a UK Radio Licence ?
If so then, logically, there should be no charge for listening to BBC radio via the Internet if you live overseas. After all, you don't pay for it in the UK.
It would be a different matter if you wanted to watch BBC Television via the Internet. This is not a free service, whereas BBC radio is.
I would be happy to subscribe to watch BBC TV via Internet. I don't subscribe to BBC America on Cable as it goes with a package of other crap I don't need and get all the best of the BBC on WGCU Public Media.
Anybody else watch the excellent Windsor series recently ?
Mar 8th 2006, 3:22 pm
#11
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by Big D
I would pay if it meant we could get TV as well!
We will just all need to become hackers and make the PCs look like they are in the UK!
We will just all need to become hackers and make the PCs look like they are in the UK!
Mar 8th 2006, 3:24 pm
#12
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by Big D
I would pay if it meant we could get TV as well!
We will just all need to become hackers and make the PCs look like they are in the UK!
We will just all need to become hackers and make the PCs look like they are in the UK!
There must be a market here.
Mar 8th 2006, 3:27 pm
#13
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by Boiler
I know that it can be done, I just have never found a way of easily doing it.
There must be a market here.
There must be a market here.
Mar 8th 2006, 3:30 pm
#14
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by snowbunny
You want a web proxy server based in the UK.
Mar 8th 2006, 3:31 pm
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Re: BBC Internet to Charge?
Originally Posted by TRPardoe
Anybody else watch the excellent Windsor series recently ?
That was superb - so much so that we are planning a visit when we are back next week!! Just a pity there were only three episodes!