At first glance the BBC's link up with YouTube would appear to be another positive move. However having looked at their contribution; 32 clips, (which include a 5 second video of their Logo), there seems to be very little of of real substance or
value. In fact what we have is nothing more than a series of promotional clips and some behind the scenes chit chat with various personalities; talented as they might be.
A quote from Ashley Highfield, the BBC's new media chief on the Register clarifies the BBC position;
(it is) "not about distributing content like full-length programmes; YouTube is a promotional vehicle for us".
and it gets worse;
The problem is, the complexities of adhering to the corporation's charter using a global medium are already making a monkey out of director general Mark Thompson's goal to have BBC content available "anytime, anywhere".
Two thirds of the promo content won't be available to UK users - because the BBC isn't permitted to show advertisements in the UK. Meanwhile, much of the BBC's digital content can't be viewed outside the UK.
This is all a far cry from the bold venture that was the Creative Archive, where the BBC provided something something of real value. It appears the BBC is freeloading at the Web 2.0 party without giving anything back in return. Again quoting the Register;
Executives also said the deal was "a testing ground" for the BBC's own iPlayer
I am not sure how the Flash based content on YouTube relates to the BBC's intention to make their, (DRM laden), content available on on Windows XP and Vista only. Perhaps it is the BBC's way of distracting attention from the real issues, regarding their proposed provision of digital content. Whichever way you look at it ...quite frankly, this deal leaves a bad tase.
Recent Comments