The BBC is to open its archive of video and audio in an on-demand
trial involving more than 20,000 people. The archive will consist of full-length programmes, as well as scripts and notes, available for
download from the BBC’s website.
The archive trial will make available 1,000 hours of content drawn from a mix of
genres to a closed number of people. About 50 hours – of both TV and radio
programmes – will be available in an open environment for general access. The trial would also be used for the BBC to understand just how much content
should be offered free to viewers and “where we should draw the line between a
licence fee funded service and a commercial service,” said the BBC executive.
People who are interested in participating in the trial should register at
www.bbc.co.uk/archive.
