BBC to launch new commercial subsidiary

THE BBC are to launch a new, wholly-owned commercial subsidiary, BBC Broadcast Ltd, following approval from Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
The new company will emerge from the current Broadcasting & Presentation (B&P) operation in BBC Television and brings together, under a single management team, a broad range of channel creation and management services. It will begin trading on April 2, 2002.
BBC Broadcast specialise in bringing channels to life for audiences - encompassing the management, promotion and play-out of content across all platforms including television, radio and the internet. The company’s remit will also include the creation and execution of branding, cross-media promotional campaigns, subtitling and other disability access services.
BBC Broadcast joins BBC Resources and BBC Technology in a new Commercial Division under Director Roger Flynn, appointed last year by BBC Director-General, Greg Dyke.
Flynn said: "This approval means the BBC can press ahead with trying to increase commercial revenues as part of the £1.1 billion savings and efficiencies target the Government set us when the licence fee was reviewed two years ago.
"B&P’s creative, editorial and technical expertise are assets that the BBC will use to generate income to put back in to programmes and services."
The management team of BBC Broadcast will be headed by Pam Masters, currently Director of B&P, who takes on the role of Managing Director, supported by a highly experienced team, combining the best BBC talent with commercial sector experience and expertise.
Pam Masters added: "BBC Broadcast’s people and reputation for creativity and innovation across all media platforms are our core assets. Incorporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary allows us to continue improving our service to existing customers while extending our ability to develop commercial business." (GB)