BBC launches two new ad supported iPhone apps

BBC.com has launched two new iPhone apps, in line with their focus on developing BBC.com’s multi-platform mobile portfolio. Both apps are free and supported by advertising. BBC.com’s News iPhone app already has Oracle as a global advertising partner. The app will feature breaking news from the BBC, with features, video and one minute news summaries, with the option of multiple languages, including Hindi and Urdu.

 

The second is a World Cup app which will offer up to the minute news and match information for the World Cup.  On match days, live BBC editorial text commentary will appear at the top of the screen.  Users will have the ability to post news stories, gossip and blog posts to social networking platforms or email them to a friend.  Following the World Cup, the app will focus on the UK’s Premiership Football league. 

 

Talking to Campaign India, Luke Bradley Jones, EVP and MD BBC.com (pictured) said that the development of such premier mobile platform apps has clearly been a focus for the company in the last two years.

 

He added, “These applications are the next phase in rolling out our multi-platform offerings that cater to people’s preferences for using applications in smart phones for mobile content services. We have an in-house development team and the focus for them in the last three months has clearly been on these new mobile applications for the iPhone, iPad and other mobile platforms. Our focus, for a while, has been very much on developing premier multi-platform offerings.”

  

Jones says what is particularly exciting for BBC in oday’s rapidly changing news environment is the fact that they have a higher share of audience in the mobile space compared to online. He added, “Consumption patterns are changing rapidly and mobile has such a high focus in that change. For BBC, as a news and information brand it is very much suited to the here and now environment. We have a higher share of audience in the mobile space than online, and it’s also an opportunity for advertisers. We have launched the iPad and iPhone app with Oracle as a partner. For the sports app, we have Yahoo! on board as our US launch partner. We are in discussion for an international and APAC partner for the app, and we hope to announce that news soon.”