BBC Launches APIs

Stefan Magdalinski writes "The BBC is opening up a slew of APIs to its content and applications via a new site, backstage.bbc.co.uk, and actively encouraging users to remix, mashup, and otherwise play with their content to create new applications. Already there's a few cool featured apps, my own BBC News wikipedizing proxy, and a del.icio.us-enabled version of BBC News "Use our stuff to create your stuff" is their slogan. Could a commercial broadcaster ever take a step like this?"

Comments

*Free*

[Skiron]

Huh. Being an English man living in England, I have to pay a mandatory LICENCE to the BBC every year even if I don't watch BBC TV (I only need to be proved to have a 'machine' that can receive the transmissions).

So, this is pretty crap - using rip-off UK to pay for it all.

BTW, blind people get a rebate of 50%...

It's OK, it's just a cheap way to R&D

[pbhj]

Some top exec thought it was too hard to do his own R&D and so 'commissioned' a minion to create a website getting 'stupid Linux zealots' to do his work.

When he has the killer apps he needs, he shuts the site [possibly leaves the BBC?] and patents the ideas.

Profit! Either from huge performance bonus (paid in part by me!) or by patent royalties (which I don't expect I'll see a penny of).

I'm getting _old_ and _cynical_ ... damn!

BBC vs Commercial

[bheer]

Could a commercial broadcaster ever take a step like this?

Remember, the BBC can do this because they collect on every household owning a TV in the UK, many of them against their will.

Could a commercial broadcaster force you to pay ~$20 every month whether you watch their content or not, and then show you propaganda masquerading as news?

I'd like to see the Beeb actually compete in the marketplace instead of thrive on handouts.