BBC Worldwide could be partly privatised
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The BBC is considering the part-privatisation of its commercial operations, BBC Worldwide, throwing into question discussions of a tie-up with Channel 4.
Mark Thompson (pictured), BBC director general has told The Guardian that the scrutiny is part of a wider review of its commercial arm.
Other options include offering a stake to another broadcaster which could be either local or international, as well as a stock market listing of the commercial business which last year reported annual revenues of about £1bn.
BBC Worldwide sells the rights of programming such as Strictly Come Dancing to other countries. It also licenses merchandise and publishes magazines for programmes such as Top Gear.
The move throws into question a long mooted joint venture with Channel 4. In July, BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith said an inking of a deal between the two was imminent.
If the joint venture had gone ahead it would have helped plug a £150m funding gap Channel 4 faces from 2012.
The BBC Trust last week ordered a review of the BBC’s activities. It will commence on 2012 when the digital switchover of services is completed.
Critics have claimed that the organisation has been moving away from its core remit of providing public service content, with News Corporation chief executive and chairman James Murdoch, recently calling for it to be dramatically reduced in size.
Readers' comments (2)
Anonymous | Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:08 pm
Privatisation, even in part, opens the BBC up to commercial pressure from sponsors, shareholders etc. and would also leave it open to stock market fluctuations, risking what is essentially British License Payer's money.
Profits made (especially in the lucrative merchandising arm) need to be directed back into the BBC so that it continues to deliver the best quality for all sections of it's audience.
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Craig Wilde | Mon, 14 Sep 2009 1:00 pm
The BBC is the best broadcaster in the world by far, the commercial broadcasters have had plenty of opportunities to create great programming and attract viewers.
Not since Lew Grade and ATV have the ITV stations been able to consistently provide WORLD CLASS television, to compare with the BBC's massive output.
Whilst I agree that the BBC might have overstretched itself in some of its commercial activities, it is these commercial activities through BBC WORLDWIDE that have allowed the BBC to be bolder in its production partnerships and deliver even better quality television.
Whilst other channels have 'dumbed down' their output to 'idiot' levels the BBC has resisted this move - offering quality, accessible entertainment, journalism and drama.
From time to time the press ( Daily Mail) and others, probably fuelled by the commercial media giants go for 'all out' assaults on the BBC, it's license fee and its output.
Your article refers to the comments made by the Chief Executive and Chairman of News corporation and his calls for a much slimmed down BBC. Perhaps there should be calls for commercial giants such as News Corporation to be slimmed down, for their domination of the commercial media - TV, Magazines, Internet and the Press...
The BBC is ours , it keeps the middle ground ( mostly) and provides the UK and the rest of the world with a benchmark.
We should stop trying to sell off the family silver and start celebrating the fact we are so lucky to have such a rich and diverse national broadcaster - one which many would give their right arm for! ( With the execs of News Corporation first in the queue!)
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