Plan to expand BBC’s local websites

The BBC Trust is expected to report in November following consultation on plans for new and enhanced local web services.

The four-week public value test exercise [929k pdf], which closed in July, drew responses from a number of quarters, most notably from the regional press and commercial radio, who believe that the BBC’s plans will damage their interests.

BECTU’s submission has emphasised the importance of the proposal to the strengthening of the regional voice, an ambition which others, such as ITV plc, increasingly wish to walk away from or to continue to neglect.

BECTU has said that the project should be viewed as a “natural extension” of the BBC’s commitment to regional news, features and political coverage and “not as an easy add-on but a whole-hearted bid to provide a new, exciting and current local video service alongside the impressive online coverage already available.”

The planned expansion of the local website map, which largely mirrors the Corporation’s presence in local radio, would be supported by more video, live streaming and by stronger news and sports reporting, according to the BBC.

Sixty-five services are proposed across the UK, five of which would be services in the Welsh language. It is planned that staffing would increase by a half for each service (up from four to six people) if the project gets the go-ahead.

BBC executives have argued that the new services would not replicate the output of other local news providers. The BBC does not intend to provide local business finders or to reproduce coverage by the local press in the areas of dating, cars, holidays, recruitment or property, for example.

The BBC has said it is prepared to share its video content with other operators.

BECTU has welcomed the opportunity provided by the proposal for new and skilled jobs but has urged the BBC Trust to ensure that investment is sufficient to deliver a quality service.

The union has underlined the importance of appropriate grading and salary levels and has warned against over-reliance on multi-skilling if the promise of a distinct and innovative service is to be fulfilled.

It is estimated that on average each service would cost £350,000 by 2012.

The public value test will be followed by a market impact assessment which will be led by Ofcom.

A final decision on the BBC’s plans is not expected until February 2009.