Public value tests are used by the BBC to weigh up public value against market impact. But in a release the broadcaster said an assessment of the proposal, following representations from the industry earlier this year, led the trust to conclude a test would not be necessary.
The assessment looked at the BBC's plans across four areas concerning the new apps: the potential impact; the financial implications; the planned duration; and whether they would involve the BBC in a new area of untested activity.
The trustees concluded that the apps were likely to have a "positive impact on users by providing easier access to online content, but would not provide any new content".
"In response to industry concerns, the trust also considered that that there would be some overlap between the BBC apps and free apps, but that impacts may not necessarily be large; particularly as BBC content was currently available to mobile users through their phone's web browser, that a wide range of high-quality free apps are already available and that users may choose to access a range of apps and online content," the release says.
The trustees also found financial implications were "low and not significant" and that the estimated cost of developing apps is less than one per cent of the current BBC Online budget, well below the 10 per cent threshold for approval.
It was also found that launching smartphone apps would involve the BBC in a new area of activity and as they would be unlimited upon launch, would mean a permanent addition to output.
As a result of these findings, they concluded that the apps "would not represent a significant change to the BBC's exisiting public services" and subsequently will not require a public value test.
The trust added that any apps would be made available on other operating systems as soon as possible.
See the full BBC Trust decision at this link...
Free daily newsletter
If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).
