BBC puts catalogue of entire archive online

[Bob Crabtree]

It's now possible to find out details of all the radio and TV programmes in the BBC archives, following the corporation's introduction of an experimental online catalogue.

The catalogue - covering programmes back to 1937 - is part of a new strategy outlined last week by Ashley Highfield, the BBC's Director of New Media & Technology, that's intended to "keep the BBC relevant in the digital age" and to move the corporation's output beyond the boundaries of traditional means of broadcasting.

Although the catalogue doesn't yet allow direct access to the programmes themselves, that's something that's on the cards, though it's expected that the downloads will be available only to households with UK TV licenses.

Before that happens, the BBC is set to offer license-holders a catch-up service that will let them download any programme from the eight BBC TV channels and watch them on PCs, TVs or mobile phones for up to seven days after transmission.

More in this HEXUS.headline, include the full text of the three releases that Auntie put out last week about its future direction.

[Funkstar]

I think this is great. I'm a massive fan of the BBC (i know others here aren't, but each to their own ). I was reading about this over on Slashdot and some have critisized the search function of the archive. It seems that is is quite picky about what you ask it. Also some things aren't listed as you would expect, 'Blake's Seven' is not the same as 'Blake's 7' for example.

[DavidM]

Funkstar - have you a url to find them?

[Funkstar]

BBC Program Catalogue
http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax

Just noticed that article have 4 pages...

[DavidM]

thanks

[Bob Crabtree]

Funkstar - have you a url to find them?

David,

There was from the outset a link to the catalogue site in the first pargraph of the first page of the news story.

However, just in case people are missing it, I've added it (hopefully more clearly) a little below that, too.

Bob

[DavidM]

Sorry missed it with the adwords confusing me

[Bob Crabtree]

Sorry missed it with the adwords confusing me

No sweat. Though that confusion is a bit of a worry.

Cheers

Bob

[Funkstar]

I have to agree with David on the Adwords. Personally i don't like them, but understand they are nesessary. They can be a pain when you mouse over one a couple of paragraphs down by mistake and it covers what you are reading (for instanc 'laptop PC' in paragraph 6 obscures paragraph 4, 5 and 6 for me)

[Hiroaki]

I like the concept - although there does appear to have been a lot of criticism over the plan. I had a look through the various feedback that had been put on the BBC site, and most of it seemed to revolve around the fact that people thought the BBC was doing a site redesign on the cheap.

Personally, I reckon those people are missing the point - if there are talented people out there who are willing to contribute to what they'd like out of the site, then their contributions would be invaluable as they are probably some of the heavier users of the site - and this will free up license fee money for content.

I just hope that the content becomes a little more interesting - the 5 minutes I had flicking through the channels on the bank holiday reminded me why I watch so little TV! As far as I'm aware the beeb is trying to address this - and if the competition for the redesign helps channel some of the money towards programming content, I'll be happy.

[UltraMagnus]

ok, so they have adds on it? isnt the lisance fee enough for them?!

urg, now, how exactly is this usefull at all? i mean, once you have found somthing, then what?

also, i wonder how long it takes for somone to crack that catch up service.....

[Bob Crabtree]

Just in case people hadn't realised - adwords have solid double underlinings; links have dotted single underlinings.


Bob

[Bob Crabtree]

ok, so they have adds on it? isnt the lisance fee enough for them?!

urg, now, how exactly is this usefull at all? i mean, once you have found somthing, then what?

also, i wonder how long it takes for somone to crack that catch up service.....

UM,

Unless I'm missing something profound, you seem to have grasped firmly in both hands the wrong end of the stick.

References in this thread to ads are talking about ads on HEXUS editorial pages.

Bob

[chis]

'Blake's Seven' is not the same as 'Blake's 7' for example.

And I thought I was the only one who'd heard of this series. Excellent sci-fi.

[nichomach]

Well, on a brief trial, it found "Talons of Weng Chiang" quickly enough .