BBC Signs 'Memo of Understanding' With Microsoft

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has signed a memorandum of understanding with the BBC for 'strategic partnerships' in the development of next-generation digital broadcasting techniques. They are also speaking to other companies such as Real and Linden Labs. Windows Media Centre platform, Windows Live Messenger application and the Xbox 360 console have all been suggested as potential gateways for BBC content. It is unclear how this impacts on existing BBC research projects such as Dirac, although it is understood that the BBC would face heavy criticism if its content was only available via Microsoft products."

Comments

Where have I seen this before?

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An agreement between the UK and the forces of Evil (M$)? Oh yeah, "Peace for our time." That should keep everyone happy.

All jokes aside, I don't see a need for co-operation with M$ on this one. The goal from the FA is:

The BBC is working on several digital broadcasting projects, including a scheme to make its programming archive available online.

Why don't they just allow and encourage libraries to mirror the content as is? That's the direction publications should be moving. Hopefully, they are not going for some kind of M$ DRM snake oil. Their current lack of such nonsense is why it's the most read English language news in the world. Mirrors would ensure their continued influence now and into the future. With mirrors everywhere, the historians can cross check and trust what they see. The natural partner for that kind of effort is Google.