BBC Worldwide strikes landmark deal with CBS

BBC Worldwide have reached a landmark agreement with CBS that will allow them to commercially exploit stock footage from CBS News’ extensive archive holdings as a part of their current global library sales business.
According to the agreement, BBC Worldwide will become the exclusive global sales agent for all CBS News footage and will market the CBS News archive alongside the BBC’s through their successful BBC Library Sales division.
This deal, the value of which was not disclosed, will allow media professionals access to the world’s leading moving image resource, with a combined archive of almost two million hours of footage.
Rupert Gavin, BBC Worldwide Chief Executive(pictured), said: “This agreement is a defining moment for the international stock footage industry and illustrates the importance BBC Worldwide places on this business and its future development.
“Digital technology will open up countless new business opportunities hungry for archive content, and the capability to provide the media production industry with fast and comprehensive access to such a content resource is of paramount importance.”
The two corporations combined broadcast libraries will potentially create the leading player in the stock footage market.
BBC Worldwide’s representation deal with CBS News will offer broadcasters and producers a broad perspective from both sides of the Atlantic on all news stories.
BBC Worldwide, www.bbcworldwide.com
(GB)