Changing BBC by Barbora Misakova

The British Broadcasting Corporation, what is the largest broadcasting network in the world, announced Tuesday it will close two radio stations and cut 25 percent of its online content what should free up millions of pounds. As BBC is a public service broadcaster the question if is it an economical or political move seems entirely apropos to me. Criticism of BBC’s market dominance lead to cancellation of two digital radio stations BBC Asian Network and BBC 6 Music which will close from next year at the earliest. Also spending on its sprawling online services should be cut. By 2013 half website pages will be closed. These changes should free up an extra 600 million pou! nds which are more needed to boost program funding. As director general Mark Thompson admits: “This is a step change. It’s saying the BBC can’t do everything; it needs to concentrate its investment on the services and the programs that make the most difference to audiences. And that does mean some sacrifices.” Rapidly changing technology and markets forced also such a giant as BBC to think twice. “We have got a lot of problems for commercial media, and the BBC’s got to think more carefully about how it fits in with media elsewhere.” said Thompson. While BBC talks about “putting quality first”, Union Bectu sees only hundreds of jobs that will be lost. “These cuts are totally unnecessary and are purely politically motivated.” said Gerry Morrissey of broadcasting workers’ union Bectu. As Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw expressed the BBC’s future would be safer under the ruling Labour Party, but BBC &#! 8220;should not approach the future assuming the Conservatives! , who ar e viscerally hostile to the BBC, will win the election.”

related story (sgx16646): http://www.france24.com/en/20100302-britain-bbc-budget-cuts-...

by Barbora Misakova for SigEx Ventures (http://sigexventures.com)

SigEx Ventures's matrix of properties are quickly becoming leaders in digital telebroadcasting, free content delivery allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, video blogs and SMS. SigEx Ventures invests in projects deploying "free" to add-on royalty revenue models