The BBC Trust is considering whether the corporation should be allowed to recover the cost of putting content on some third-party platforms as part of its consultation on distribution on TV, radio and online.
New paragraphs inserted into the draft framework say that while the BBC does not currently charge partners for distributing content, that should not prevent the corporation from “recovering costs directly associated with making specific arrangements which extend access but which would not necessarily be value for money or required to secure universal access if delivered free of charge”.
The proposals are aimed at preparing for emerging technologies and services rather than places the BBC already distributes its content.
The draft does not suggest making people pay for access to any BBC services on any platform.
Proposed updates to the rules also include requirements to consider whether third parties will provide the BBC with user data such as information from a mobile device about how someone is watching a programme.
The BBC director general, Tony Hall, laid out plans to introduce more personalisation for the iPlayer in a speech last month.
It also says it is “important that the BBC is able to retain a direct relationship” with those who watch or listen to its content over the internet and any distribution agreement should take into account whether a relationship can be maintained.
The corporation is running an eight-week consultation seeking feedback from broadcasters, industry bodies and other groups including consumers.
In 2013/14 the BBC spent £227m – equivalent to 6% of income from the licence fee – on distributing its content.
The document says technology and consumer habits have moved on considerably since the framework was last updated in 2012. However it says the corporation’s approach so far has been successful and “the trust does not consider a radical change of approach to syndication of audiovisual content necessary.”
The document also says the trust does not expect delivery over the internet to account for more than 20% of consumption by 2020.
It it says the BBC must recognise that “the majority of its content will continue to be distributed through broadcast infrastructures for the foreseeable future, but IP delivery will grow in importance and will be of particular importance to younger audiences.”
It also says it would not provide value for money to distribute its content on every platform “given the pace of technological change”, but that any decision not to use a certain platform would need “strong justification”.
