BBC Statements of Programme Policy 2003/2004- Text Version- Interactive

BBCi's remit
BBCi encompasses the BBC's interactive services across the web, television and mobile devices. BBCi's long-term objective is to support the development of a digital UK encouraging audiences to enter the interactive digital world and helping them realise its full benefits.

BBCi provides a wide range of distinctive content, both complementing and going beyond the BBC's broadcast services, offering audiences opportunities to explore and go deeper into topics and issues of interest. Through BBCi, the BBC aims to develop a new, more accountable and responsive relationship with audiences. Where appropriate, BBCi enables them to par ticipate in or contribute to BBC programmes and services. BBCi also offers opportunities to communicate with the BBC and with each other, in communities built around shared passions, interests and localities.

Commitments
A core BBCi objective is the allocation of resources to exploit and develop new technologies in the most effective way possible. We have been at the forefront of online development for some years, and the internet is now a well-established medium. While we will maintain a significant commitment to online, our plan is to reduce investment slightly in favour of interactive television activity. However, on the web we will:

continue to supply websites that complement the full range of the BBC's broadcast programmes and services, from EastEnders to BBC Radio 3. Reducing investment does not mean giving the audience any less choice in the way they engage with BBC content and characters

also provide distinctive, original and high- quality content in areas from news through GCSE revision to Teletubbies

provide on-demand access to previously broadcast radio programmes and selected video clips, as well as ways to listen to the BBC's new digital radio services, completing our content provision and truly delivering something for everyone

make it easier for users to find what they want. An improved homepage and a universal toolbar will aid users in navigating BBCi content

At all times we will ensure a high level of moderation and regulation of content and family-safe web search, incorporating links to thousands of BBCi recommended sites. BBCi will remain a safe environment for even the very young to visit.

We will maintain the BBC's world-class news site with original journalism, comment and analysis of domestic and international stories, around 2,000 new stories or features every week, and pictures, audio and video content for most major stories. Our sports site will cover international to local events and sports from football to cycling reporting on the news, the triumphs and the challenges, and encouraging par ticipation through Sport Academy at www.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy.

Our education content will span all age ranges. There will be curriculum-based materials, revision and study support and a learning community for four to 19 year old students, their teachers and parents. In addition, there will be direct access to schoolwork support, including personalised responses from qualified teachers. For adults, we will provide innovative literacy and numeracy resources and, for the more confident, further in-depth interactive learning materials on topics from First Aid Action to Talk Portuguese (among other languages), in conjunction with informational websites on more than 30 areas from history to health and parenting to politics.

For children, pre-school to pre-teen, there will be content linked to core BBC programmes from Fimbles to Blue Peter and games and other resources which stimulate learning and skills development. This will include relevant parents' support material.

The needs and interests of other minority communities will also be reflected on BBCi. Ouch! will address the varied perspectives of disabled communities. The religion and ethics site will represent all the major and many minor faith communities in the UK.

Interactive television (iTV) is proving an increasingly popular medium, and BBCi spend on developing content and functionalities for iTV will increase. Our plans include an interactive news and information service across all digital television platforms offering in-depth content and opportunities for user contribution.

In addition, we will create interactive enhancements to television programmes in all genres from sports to factual, news to entertainment, adding a new dimension to our audiences' experiences of our programmes.

We will fur ther support the development of new technologies and enable the broadest access by optimising content for other web- connected devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and broadband PCs. We will also increase interaction with BBC programmes and web-based content and communities via SMS and email, alongside older forms of communication.

It is our ambition to encourage digital take-up among inexperienced users with innovative, easy-to-use services, using familiar content such as Today and Wake up to Wogan. We recognise that familiarity will promote confidence both in use and in the technology itself.

At the same time, we will develop innovative content which will challenge the audience and encourage them to build their own online communities and to contribute around key areas of content.

We believe that this will expand the creative range of programme makers, foster our ability to reduce ongoing costs, and increase time spent online.

We will constantly examine the value and distinctiveness of everything we provide. Usable, must-see content and ease of access are paramount, and we will consolidate some of our less successful or distinctive sites.

We will add to the broad range of educational content, from classwork and homework support to revision assistance, accessible via the web, interactive television and SMS.

Government go-ahead for the Digital Curriculum has given the BBC the opportunity to boost its school-based learning offerings.

We will provide learning resources (literacy, numeracy and languages) and guidance on UK adult education, including a 'Learning Link' facility enabling users to move from general interest sites to areas where they can get formal learning advice.

We will continue to provide detailed exploration of topics covered in documentaries and factual programmes, often bringing together interactive television and the web to provide continuous learning journeys. In particular, we will launch a major World War II remembrance project which will underpin associated television and radio programming.

Where I Live: 54 local and three national websites will continue to offer constantly updated local news and information as well as diverse oppor tunities for people to contribute content and use the service as a forum to discuss local topics.

A wide range of local and national content will be available through a redesigned interactive information service across all digital television platforms (cable, satellite and digital terrestrial television). The service will include continuous video news, travel, weather, lifestyle and enter tainment content in text, graphical and video form, as well as voting and donating via remote control.

iCan is a new online service which aims to help audiences engage with the political issues that matter to them. It will provide fact-based information, advice on how and where to get involved, and so enable individuals to connect with others who share their concerns and interests.

Interactive enhancements to programmes will enable users to express their opinions on live issues, from politics (Question Time) to football (FA Cup).

Message boards and innovative utilities such as the BBCi Connector tool will make it possible for online communities among the fans of our programmes to share their thoughts, views and ideas.

Our first television show to depend on and be built from a website, Celebdaq, has been developed and launched on BBC Three. We will look at other opportunities to do this. Sport and events

We will offer interactive enhancements to a range of television services from increased viewer choices for Wimbledon to par ticipation in BBC theme days and messaging during the FA Cup.