[Swprograms] Fwd: [uk-radio-listeners] BBC: A future without the licence fee

["Richard Cuff" <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx>]

Those of us in the USA who have enjoyed Radio 4 content might have to
shell out some dineros in the future for that privilege.

Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA  USA

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mike Barraclough <mikewb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Apr 3, 2006 8:09 AM
Subject: [uk-radio-listeners] BBC: A future without the licence fee
To: uk-radio-listeners@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


This article in Media Guardian today, from the editor in chief of
Guardian Unlimited, is interesting, especially for our list members
outside the UK, a few quotes:

The BBC is to charge overseas users of its websites and will borrow
£350m for global expansion. Evidence, argues Emily Bell, that it is
preparing to be self-sufficient:

"It is increasingly apparent that not only will this next licence fee
deal be the last, but the corporation knows it and its strategy is now
centred on life beyond a guaranteed income from the public's purses."

"It is clear the corporation has already decided that it has to go
down the route of ultra-competitive global media player rather than
that of licence-fee funded public-service broadcaster, and that the
next decade is all about traversing the divide."

"The BBC has no mandate - not even from the Foreign Office - to become
a significant commercial media owner in the US, yet this is now where
the BBC seems headed."

"The next and biggest step in the BBC's development, the release of
the "interactive media player" - the BBC's on-demand programme
catch-up service. Potentially this will signal the end of the BBC as a
broadcaster. It will give the corporation the ability to charge for
repeat services - which it undoubtedly will, given time."

Ms. Bells full analysis is here:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,,1745283,00.html

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