INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has revealed that it is thinking of partnering with private businesses in order to sell music downloads.

The BBC said it wishes to pursue a major role in the digital media world and is currently testing MyBBCPlayer software, which enables users to download the BBC's radio and TV programming. It is intending to trial MyBBCPlayer in September, with a full service expected next year, and plans to offer archive access, live streaming of BBC channels and on-demand radio and TV programming. It claimed that BBC Radio 1 online listeners, for example, will one day be able to buy the song being played by clicking on a link.

The BBC currently makes radio programmes available through its website following broadcast and said that 1.4 million users downloaded its free recordings of nine Beethoven symphonies. It has not yet had talks with online music providers but said it would ensure a fair and open choice of providers, though the news is expected to upset media and Internet groups in the UK who have previously felt the BBC has intruded on private sector activities.

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