The BBC has revealed it is developing plans to share its web content with newspapers.

The so-called ‘online syndication strategy’ would see the Corporation running initiatives aimed at helping the newspaper industry in a phased rollout programme.

The announcement is part of the BBC’s submission to the Government’s Digital Britain consultation.

It said: “Such syndication is not only in the interests of licence fee payers but can also bring real benefits to partner organisations, whether in the public or private sector.

“The BBC Executive is developing an online syndication strategy for the wider media sector.

“The BBC will explore whether it can do more to support the newspaper industry through a range of initiatives including greater online linking and the syndication of online content.

“The current proposal is for a phased roll-out to a limited number of partners in the first instance, before extending the offer more widely.

“The proposed editorial offer is likely to include a sub-set of audiovisual content.”

Published in January, the interim Digital Britain report contained a raft of proposals on the future of the UK press, media and communications services and industries.

Comments

Elvisjnr (26/03/2009 14:26:13)
Well, the Beeb has been stealing content from the local press for years, so perhaps it’s about time it have something back.
Instead of having regional BBC news sites which regurgitate what’s in the local papers, they should be more honest about it and just have a summary of the stories carried by the local press (if there are any local papers left by then) and direct links to their sites.

J (26/03/2009 14:37:37)
Excuse my ignorance, but how exactly is that going to help newspapers?

R McGeddon (26/03/2009 16:16:06)
The beeb hasn’t broken a story in the west of england for years. Most of their stuff is recycled local paper stories or adverts for the beeeb journos PR connections and friends. I don’t think we’ll want their stuff, frankly.

qwerty (27/03/2009 11:17:50)
Shouldn’t local newspapers get a cut of the licence fee for generating such a huge proportion of the BBC’s radio and website content?

Lucy (27/03/2009 11:19:47)
I am absolutely engraged by this… what makes the BBC think we need their content?

Dante (27/03/2009 11:26:09)
Honestly, do the BBC know what local news is? Maybe instead of “sharing” their news, they should let us in on their extensive list of contacts, because I was under the impression their news was either cribbed from the local newspaper or comes their way by way of a national press release. I must admit, there are times when they get a good story. Usually from a member of the public who gives them a tip off. Why? They get their picture on TV.