ITN and Pact want BBC online content transparency

ITN and Pact have led a demand for the BBC to be more open and transparent about the way it commissions online content.
As BBC3 switches to digital and iPlayer originals go from strength to strength, rival organisations have asked the BBC to review their online production quotas.

The corporation is currently under a non-statutory target to spend ¼ of its budget on online content and digital services with 3rd parties, with the aim of making 70% of its spend open to competition.

“As more content will be commissioned online, it seems compelling to create a specific commissioning strategy for online content,” said ITN while responding to the BBC Trust’s content supply review. “ITN calls for an entirely open commissioning target for online content—in line with that of broadcast content [under the plans for BBC Studios].” c commissioning strategy for online content,” said ITN while responding to the BBC Trust’s content supply review. “ITN calls for an entirely open commissioning target for online content—in line with that of broadcast content [under the plans for BBC Studios].”

“Under the current structure, competition for supply of digital content is limited due to the lack of a specific quota and [there is] a lack of visibility about how the BBC commissions online content, as opposed to technical services,”
“There is scope to increase competition for audience-facing content commissions, [improve] transparency, and deliver greater benefits to license fee payers.” Said the Trust.