[Community Radio] BBC launches online clips archive

[Michelle McGuire]

BBC launches online clips archive

Thousands of clips from BBC radio and TV factual programmes will be 
free to download from the internet this autumn, the BBC has announced.

The clips of up to three minutes long will include  natural history 
footage and be available on the BBC website.

The service is the first stage of the Creative Archive initiative 
announced by former director general Greg Dyke.

If the service proves popular after 18 months, it will be extended 
across all genres of BBC programmes.

Ashley Highfield, head of BBC new media and technology, announced the 
launch on Wednesday, saying: "This is the BBC taking an innovation 
risk, but a risk that will add to the creative capital of the UK as a 
whole.

"It's all part of the BBC providing public access to its sound, 
television and film archives in a way that appeals to the new 
generation of media consumers."

Online programming

The public will be able to download clips for non-commercial use, keep 
them forever, and manipulate and add to them.

They will be able to pass clips on to one another and, in  future, post 
user-generated material back on to the BBC's website.

The first phase will concentrate on material that is fully owned by the 
BBC.

In future, the BBC hopes to talk to independents and other rights 
holders about clearing the rights to other clips.

Mr Highfield also said the BBC was committed to developing further 
public use of broadband technology - alongside the online archive - 
when it came to enjoying the BBC's current output.

Mr Highfield pointed to this summer's online coverage of the 
Glastonbury music festival and the Olympic Games in Athens.

Viewers will be able to  choose from a wide selection of broadcasts 
from both events.

At the same time, they will also be able to  play games, interact with 
other users and access facts and statistics.

"I see the BBC's online services having an increasingly important role 
to play in helping to create a 100% connected, digital Britain," said 
Mr Highfield.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk