BBC has announced that it has started a trial to syndicate a range of its TV channels and radio networks in the UK, with mobile operators Orange, Vodafone and 3. The service will last up to 12 month and allow the mobile operators’ subscribers to watch BBC One, BBC News 24 and BBC Three (except for some of the sport and acquired programs) streamed on their mobiles.
The radio stations they’ll be able to listen to will include Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music, BBC 7 and Asian Network. BBC’s trial with the three mobile operators is scheduled to start within the month.
Ashley Highfield, Director of Future Media and Technology, said: “By making a range of television channels and radio networks available to 3G mobile phone subscribers, we hope to test not only the effectiveness of 3G as a means of distribution, but also how audiences respond to the BBC’s linear services on their mobiles.
“To this end, the BBC will be undertaking extensive and unique research into consumer behavior and experience throughout the 3G mobile syndication trial. To date we have done relatively little consumer research in this area, and it will provide us with a detailed insight into consumer behavior.”
Customers will be able to choose between several packages with varying prices and watch a number of TV channels without having to worry about data charges, since the services are fixed price. The services will work on all Symbian-powered handsets and several other devices. Aside from that, BBC has also launched an enhanced version of their mobile website, which will be available for all mobile phones that include a browser capable of displaying XHTML pages. Benefits include improved navigation and design and a redesigned BBC Weather that includes Radio 4’s ‘The Shipping Forecast’. [via]
