By Tim Ferguson, 1 November 2006 17:05
NEWS
The BBC could stand to make up to £105m per year if it goes ahead with plans to place ads on its international homepage and news websites.
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According to a report commissioned by the corporation into the feasibility of introducing online ads, such a strategy could generate significant revenues for the corporation within five years.
Analysts believe that the international strength and appeal of the BBC brand would give advertisers significant online traffic to tap into.
Plans are by no means finalised, with significant opposition reportedly coming from BBC News staff in particular to how online advertising would fit into the BBC remit. A decision is unlikely to be made before the end of the year.

Comments
There are 8 comments. Join the discussion
1. occasional observer
great idea; its a pretty crappy web site any way; oh and lets get some ads on their (even worse) tv channels, then maybe we can get rid of the bloody license fee, and all the hounding that goes with it if you dare not have one.oh and another thing, as they are allegedly a public sector broadcaster why are there no adverts about sensible things like safety, driving tips related to weather changes ...yeah I know its boring to the one or two of us who drive sensibly ...ok.ok I 'll drop off the soapbox now
2. UK BBC Reader
For those of us who frequent the BBC technology news site it's quite clear there is already advertising. From the disproportionately numerous mentions of World of Warcraft to the anti-Microsoft, pro-Apple slant on everything to the glowing reviews of mediocre games and over-hyping of next-generation consoles.
3. anonymous
A good idea if it keeps my Licence down! and if only on the web - I can ignore web adverts but you cannot ignore them on tv unless you channel hop.
4. Gary Thompson
So we can abolish the license fee then ?!
5. Valentin Danner
Why not... but this should be used to stop any increase in TV license fees in the future...
6. Alastair Warren
That'll disappear into The Treasury! £105M a year? Don't that would even generate a burp.
7. BAH!
Bit of a non-story really.
What is £105 million a year by comparison to the £3.5 BILLION that the BBC already receives via the license fee?
It isn't ever a quarter of BBC Worldwides's annual income.
8. BAH!
Bit of a non-story really.
What is £105 million a year by comparison to the £3.5 BILLION that the BBC already receives via the license fee?
It isn't ever a quarter of BBC Worldwides's annual income.