BBC Sets Aside £350m For Internet Growth

The BBC has put aside over $680 million to fund web projects such as online communities that revolve around certain shows. Some of the focus will go to popular shows with existing fan bases such as TopGear. The Guardian reports:

Under the strategy, existing websites such as BBC Good Food are being made more interactive and more “community-based”, according to the BBC.

Other popular BBC brands, including Top Gear, will expand their websites, using new technology to give fans more space to talk to each other.

Money is also being earmarked for new social networking sites, launched around other favourite BBC programmes and magazines.

The BBC Worldwide chief executive, John Smith, said that while the teenage social networking market was nearing capacity, with sites such as MySpace and Bebo, the BBC’s magazines showed there is an appetite for internet communities based around the corporation’s top shows.

BBC earmarks £350m for web | Broadcast | MediaGuardian.co.uk