Minister mulls BBC online ads

NEWS The UK government is actively considering whether to allow advertising on BBC Online. In a select committee interview at the House of Commons this week, Culture Minister, Chris Smith, was asked whether it would make sense for BBC Online to take on advertising. He replied: "That is certainly, as you will know, chairman, a proposition that I have in the past not ruled out, and I still do not rule that out." The site - bbc.co.uk - has been staunchly uncommercial since its launch, in contrast to
the BBC's popular beeb.com site. But all this could change next year. Smith explained that he is sometimes saddened that http://www.bbc.co.uk is accessible to global viewers who have not paid the BBC licence fee, which currently funds the site. He added that his ideas on alternative funding are at an early stage, and he welcomes feedback on the subject. He added that a hybrid funding model - where everyone except UK residents received advertisements - could run into difficulties with European regulators.