Unit code-CMC3104

CMC3/6108/2023 –LILIAN MAKAU

OWNERSHIP AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY OF BBC
INRODUCTION
BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation. It is a public service broadcaster
and the largest media organization in the United Kingdom (UK). The BBC operates
several radio and television networks, as well as digital platforms such .The BBC
was founded in 1922 .
OWNERSHIP OF BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is owned by the UK government,
although it operates as an independent public service broadcaster. The BBC is
structured as a public corporation, which is appointed, meaning that its
governance and activities are overseen by a board of governors led by the
government. However, in 2017, the BBC became a new charter that created a
new unitary board, which is responsible for ensuring the BBC delivers its mission
and public purposes and that it remains operationally and financially
independent. Despite its public ownership, the BBC also generates funding from
commercial activities and selling content overseas.

How BBC has utilized digital technology to transform its media operations and
reach a wider audience.
1. Online streaming and on-demand content: BBC has a wide range of online
streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, which allow users to
watch or listen to their favorite shows anytime, anywhere they want.
2. Mobile apps: BBC has also developed mobile apps for its various services such
as BBC News, BBC Sport, and BBC iPlayer Radio. These apps have become
increasingly popular and offer a great way for the BBC to reach its audience on
the go.
3. Interactive services: BBC has developed several interactive services that allow
viewers to engage with its programming on a deeper level.

1
4. Social media: BBC has a strong social media presence on platforms such as
Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. This has helped the BBC connect with a
younger audience who spends a lot of time on social media.
5. Personalization: BBC has utilized digital technology to personalize its content
based on a viewer's preferences and viewing history. This has helped the BBC to
offer more relevant content to its audience and improve its engagement with
them.

The impact of digital technology to the BBC

1. Increased audience reach: With the launch of BBC iPlayer, BBC has been
able to offer its content to viewers on-demand and globally, making its
content more accessible to a wider audience.
2. Enhanced engagement: Digital technology has allowed the BBC to increase
engagement with its audience through interactive services such as companion
apps and social media, the BBC has been able to create more personalized and
engaging content that encourages viewers to interact and share their opinions.
3. Greater efficiency: Through automation, the BBC has been able to streamline
its workflows, reduce manual labor, and save time and costs.
4. Improved content creation: With the latest digital assets management tools,
the BBC is now able to produce richer content, with higher quality visuals, audio,
and effects.
5. Increased revenue: Through the sale of its content abroad, as well as through
advertising and subscription models, the BBC has been able to leverage its digital
presence to generate new revenue sources beyond the traditional license fee.
Challenges and opportunities faced by BBC in adapting to the digital era.
Challenges:

1. Funding : As traditional revenue streams such as license fees decline, the

BBC must find new sources of revenue to continue delivering quality
content.

2
 2. Cybersecurity: The BBC, like many companies, is facing a sophisticated
range of digital threats, from hackers to data branches. Ensuring the
security of its digital platforms and data must be a top priority.

3. Competing with digital natives: The BBC must compete with newer
digital-native companies, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, that have
created their own niche in the digital media market.

4. Adhering to regulations: The BBC is subject to strict regulations and must

adhere to a set of guidelines when it comes to content creation and
distribution. These regulations can be difficult to navigate in the fast-paced
and constantly changing digital environment.
Opportunities:

1. Greater engagement: The BBC has the opportunity to engage with audiences in
ways that were impossible before the digital era. From interactive content to
personalized recommendations, digital technology allows the BBC to create new
content experiences that its audience will love.
2. Global reach: The BBC has the ability to reach a global audience through its
digital platforms, allowing it to showcase its diverse content to a wider audience
beyond its traditional UK audience.
3. Harnessing user data: Through the use of big data and analytics, the BBC can
gain valuable insights into its audience's preferences and behaviors, which can
inform its content creation and distribution strategies.
4. Experimentation: Digital technology allows the BBC to experiment with new
formats and content types, from virtual reality to short-form video, enabling it to
diversify its content and stay ahead of the curve.

3
GIBSON MUTUNGA IGWETA CMC3/6103/2023
A.HOW BBC HAS INTERGRATED AND UTILIZED DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INTO ITS
MEDIA OPERATIONS, PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT DISTRIBUTION.
1.WEBSITES;The BBC operates several web’s that offer news, entertainment and
educational content, including BBC news, sports and iPlayer.These websites are
optimized for desktop and mobile devices and offer a mix of live streaming on
demand content and articles.
2.SOCIAL MEDIA;The BBC maintains a strong presence on social media platforms
including Facebook, Instagram and X.The BBC uses these channels to promote it’s
content and engage with it’s audience including luve-tweeting events and sharing
behind the scenes content.
3.VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY ;The BBC has experimented with virtual
and augmented reality technology to enhance it’s storytelling.For example the
BBC created a virtual reality experience to accompany it’s Blue Planet II
documentary series, allowing users to explore marine environments in VR.
4.STREAMING SERVICES:The BBC operates several streaming services including
BBC iPlayer, which allows users to watch live Tv and catch up on previously aired
programmes.The BBC also operates a subscription-based streaming service called
BritBox which offers British Tv shows and movies.
5.PODCASTS:The BBC produces a wide range of podcasts covering news, culture
and entertainment.These podcasts are available on the BBC website as well as on
popular podcast platforms like Apple podcasts and Spotify.
B.HOW BBC HAS ADAPTED TO ITS BUSINESS MODEL TO CATER TO THE
EVOLVING DIGITAL MEDIA LANDSCAPE.
1.INVESTING IN GLOBAL NEWS COVERAGE:The BBC has invested in global news
coverage with correspondents based in key locations around the world to ensure
that it can provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage to it’s content
globally.
2.INVESTING IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS :The BBC has invested in digital platforms
such as it’s website and mobile apps which allows it to reach wider global

4
audience through internet.These platforms offer live streaming on demand
content and personalized recommendations for the users.
3.EXPANDING ITS DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIPS:The BBC has expanded it’s
distribution partnerships with local broadcasters, cable and satellite providers and
streaming services to increase it’s reach in different countries and regions.
4.CREATING A GLOBAL SERVICE:The BBC world service a global version of the BBC
is a multimedia service that provides impartial news and information to millions
of people worldwide in English and other 27 languages.
5.BUILDING A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE:The BBC has strong presence on
social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram,X and YouTube which allows
it to connect with it’s audience and share it’s content globally.
C.KEY FACTORS THAT HAS LED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE BBC IN THE DIGITAL ERA.
1.GLOBAL REACH:The BBC’S digital platforms allow it to reach audiences
worldwide breaking geographical barriers and expanding it’s influence.
2.QUALITY CONTENT:The BBC’S reputation for producing high-quality, unbiased
content has attracted a loyal audience both domestically and internationally.
3.ADAPTABILITY:The BBC has successfully adapted to the changing media
landscape by embracing digital technologies and delivering content across
multiple platforms including websites, apps and socials.
4.USER ENGAGEMENT:The BBC actively engages with it’s audience through
interactive features, social media interactions and personalized content
recommendations enhancing the overall user experience.
5.INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY:The BBC has invested in cutting-edge
technologies to improve content delivery, enhance user experience and stay
competitive in the digital landscape.
6.INNOVATION: Continuous innovation in storytelling techniques, interactive
features and immersive experiences has kept the BBC at the forefront of digital
media .

5
REFERENCES:
SOHAIL KHAN
SEO CONTENT WRITER AT FIVERR (COMPANY)
NELIA PERODES
SEO ASSISTANT MARKETING AT DIGITAL MARKETING.
THE DIGITAL ERA.

1. BBC, (2020). About the BBC. Retrieved from

https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc

2. BBC Trust, (2017). BBC Trust Review of BBC News & Current Affairs Online.
Retrieved from
https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research
/impartiality_and_online_reporting.pdf

3. EBU (2020). Public Service Media Contribution to Society. Retrieved from

https://www.ebu.ch/publicservice/the-case-for-public-service-media/public-
service-media-contribution-to-society

4. Ofcom, (2019). Public Service Broadcasting - Code on Independent

Productions. Retrieved from
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/32524/public-service-
broadcasting-code-independent-productions.pdf