Yahoo! News to Offer BBC News Video

WebKnowHow
Friday, December 1, 2006; 05:40 AM

Yahoo! News today began offering BBC News video on its site, through a new agreement with ABC News. Yahoo! News users now have access to approximately 30 video clips of BBC News video each day, including a wide array of videos in the categories of top stories, breaking news, U.S. and world news, sports, business, politics, technology, health and entertainment. The distribution agreement was made with ABC News, which maintains exclusive representation for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for distribution of BBC News on demand broadband and wireless content in North America.

“We are pleased to bring the renowned journalism of the BBC to Yahoo! News, a leading online news service that reaches millions across the world,” said Richard Sambrook, director of the BBC’s Global News division. “The demand for BBC content in the United States is growing all the time and we believe our expansion on new digital platforms is critically important to helping us meet that demand.”

In January 2006, ABC News announced an agreement to become the exclusive representative for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for distribution of BBC News on demand broadband and wireless content in North America. This marks the first time a U.S. news network has joined an international news organization to leverage content offerings, and expands an established relationship between ABC News and the BBC that began in 1994.

“ABC News is committed to expanding the BBC’s presence in broadband in the North American market,” said Bernard Gershon, senior vice president and general manager, ABC News Digital Media Group. “This is a strong first step that joins the esteemed journalism of the BBC with the innovation of Yahoo News in effort to reach consumers anytime and anywhere.”

BBC joins dozens of other leading news broadcasters and publishers on Yahoo! News, including ABC News. All of the video will be available for free to Yahoo! users, and will be advertising-supported.

“The BBC has established itself as an unparalleled global news-gathering organization, and its content will be a tremendous complement to the world class news already available on our site,” said Scott Moore, head of news and information, Yahoo! Media Group. “The BBC has a cool factor with younger audiences, a natural fit for Yahoo! News users who are generally younger than audiences at other news organizations.”