The BBC's embrace of the internet is not the first time it has championed a new medium, since it was a pioneer in television, able to take on the risk of investing in an untried technology. Its role in popularising the internet was not so important, but through it the BBC has won a new worldwide audience. As the internet becomes increasingly important, it would be shortsighted of the BBC not to increase its online activities. But in doing so it expands into areas where its remit does not run so clearly.
A more pressing danger is the unwitting creation of the BBC's regional media monopolies. The internet is increasingly eroding the profitability of the local press, and the BBC's dominance of regional radio is pronounced and growing. It is easy to imagine that within a few years there could be sections of the country where the BBC is the sole local news provider. That is a worrying state, and one that could trigger dramatic regulation by a future government, one less sympathetic than the current administration. The irony is that the biggest threat to the BBC's future may not be commercial pressure, but its commercial success.
It is an interesting point, yet, when newspapers are failing to grasp the nettle of opportunity, in the same way that the BBC is, a vaccuum will be created.
This is something we have been aware of for some two years. You've got to be a blind man not to see it coming. Rather than commercial organisations moaning about Auntie, I think they should get their thinking caps on and embrace our digital age.
There is lots to offer.
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