BBC petitions to launch mobile media channels

The BBC Trust, the independent body that oversees the British Broadcasting Corporation, has launched a consultation into the broadcaster's mobile television and radio plans. The consultation follows in the wake of a recently-completed 12-month mobile TV trial that introduced channels including BBC1, BBC3 and News 24 via the Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and 3 networks--despite grim consumer takeup (just 580 total views in June 2007, and a viewing average of only 13 minutes per month), the BBC is now petitioning to roll out a full-fledged mobile media effort. "The BBC's broadcast competitors are already present on mobile TV and there is some evidence of customer confusion over the absence of BBC channels," the broadcaster writes in its BBC Trust proposal, adding it is "uniquely placed to drive mainstream use of mobile television with wider benefits for broadcasters and consumers." The proposal states that while the Beeb will seek to adapt some existing content for mobile viewing, it will not explore made-for-mobile production.

For more on the BBC proposal:
- read this C21Media article

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