BBC putting its archives online

[violaine]

I read a while ago that the BBC were going to be putting its programme archives online; is this still happening and if so, when will it be happeneing?

[Constantine]

According to the Beeb they are still intending to put the archive online but they are encountering problems which include, but are not limited to: All/most/some of the material?; what format? - they are obliged to make it so that everyone has access, but at the moment there is no standard for online video and audio content and it is going to cost a huge amount of money to get it all online and even more to make it multi-format (and that, as far as I'm aware is their biggest concern right now); the cost involved; and the need to reconcile the fact that they currently have a profit-making "arm" with the sales of video/dvd/cd/cassette as well as licencing material to networks around the world. Like I said, they're not all the reasons, but as you can see they are "up against it" somewhat. (And, yes I know they aren't allowed to "make a profit" but the money they make gets plowed back into the business in many ways and keeps the licence fees as low as they can be.)

[SavageMonkey]

Could you explain what exactly they are archiving? Just news, or everything (comedy, sport, childrens programmes etc)? If it's EVERYTHING, then that is a huge task, an improbable one in my opinion.

[Constantine]

@SavageMonkey - They are indeed planning on putting EVERYTHING online. Well, as close to everything that they can due to the fact that some of their output has already been lost forever due to tape degradation, the re-use of tapes during "tighter" times, producers etc helping themselves to tapes for their own personal archives, etc. I understand that they are planning on starting with TV footage first.

[violaine]

Thanks for all the answers :)