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Multimedia future for BBC

BBC.co.uk is likely to move from newspaper-style publishing to audio visual news, according to the head of BBC Online.

Responding to the results of Philip Graf's review of BBC Online, Ashley Highfield said that the time is right for a new approach. The BBC claims that 46 per cent of those online in the UK use its site, with more than 10 million users.

"It's come at the right time for us," said Mr Highfield in an interview with the Media Guardian.

"It's saying that we've almost reached that 50 per cent target and now we've got a different role going forward, so we need a modified remit and a new level of governance."

Mr Highfield said that increased take up of broadband internet connections would allow the corporation to provide more multimedia coverage of events such as the Olympics in August.

In 2003 the corporation announced an online archive of BBC programmes. An interactive media player is also planned that will provide the past week's TV on the BBC site.

Suggesting that the BBC could even launch a cheap broadband service, Mr Highfield said that the BBC should do more than just create content.

"We do believe we have a role in driving digital Britain at a number of points across the curve of adoption."

More news from dotJournalism:
BBC complaints go live
BBC Online given four months to shape up
Graf underlines accountability

See also:
Media Guardian interview with Ashley Highfield: http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,7558,1264329,00.html
Guardian – BBC eyes broadband launch: http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,7496,1263222,00.html
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Tags (click tag to find related articles; click icon for feed):
olympics | broadband | ashley highfield | britain | united kingdom | html | online archive | philip graf | broadband internet connections | multimedia coverage | interactive media player |

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