BBC opens news archives to surfers
Free clips for non-commercial use
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2147986/bbc-opens-news-archives
Ken Young, vnunet.com 04 Jan 2006
http://www.bbc.co.uk/calc/news/
ADVERTISEMENTThe BBC has opened its news archives to users in the UK for the first time in its 75 year history.
Nearly 80 items are being offered in a trial covering many iconic events of the past 50 years, including behind-the-scenes footage of the 1966 England football team before their World Cup win in 1966.
The bulletins, available online, are provided under what is known as the Creative Archive Licence. This allows the copying, editing, mixing and sharing of clips for non-commercial use.
The BBC first outlined plans to make the archive available in 2003, and the initiative was strongly supported by then director general Greg Dyke.
Releasing the items, offered as the Open News Archive, means that the BBC has now doubled the number of programme extracts it originally made available through a trial with Radio 1 Interactive.
Helen Boaden, director of BBC News, said: "This trial is an important step in allowing us to share with our audiences the extraordinary news archive which the BBC has recorded over the years. We look forward to getting their reaction."
The BBC will release further material across other areas over the coming months. The British Film Institute, Channel 4, the Open University and Teachers' TV are also set to make more content available.