Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
01/10/2004

BBC closes Technology deal with Siemens

The BBC has completed the procurement for a 10-year Technology Framework Contract (TFC) with Siemens Business Services, worth almost £2 billion.
As part of the landmark deal, Siemens Business Services has acquired BBC Technology Ltd, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC.
Led by Tom White, Managing Director, Siemens Business Services, BBC Technology will be renamed Siemens Business Services Media Holdings Ltd.
The BBC has received approval for the sale from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and approval from the BBC Governors for both the procurement and the sale. The two-part deal covering both contract and acquisition – the first of its kind in the media industry – means Siemens Business Services will work closely with BBC Technology Direction, the department responsible for the BBC’s technology strategy and development, to deliver the BBC’s technology services across the whole corporation for the next 10 years. The BBC expects to save around £30m per annum over the life of the contract.
John Smith, Chief Operating Officer, BBC commented: “This deal marries both our legendary broadcasting experience in making great programmes with the resource and expertise of a global IT player – ensuring the BBC can achieve its Building Public Value vision to secure our digital future.”
The value and substantial savings created from the sale of BBC Technology and this procurement of our technology services is a significant step for us in ensuring the BBC is fit for the future and continues to create innovative programmes.”
As part of the deal, Siemens Business Services will also provide the skills, expertise and investment to support the BBC’s technology vision. This vision aims to put creative tools on desktop computers in the BBC by the end of the decade, enabling a revolutionary approach to programme making in a digital Britain.
John Varney, Chief Technology Officer, BBC said: “The deal with Siemens Business Services is significant for the BBC as we enter a new phase in the way we work and operate. Technology is vital to the BBC’s future and in ensuring we build public value in everything we do. We look forward to developing our relationship with Siemens Business Services to meet our technology vision over the next decade.”
“We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with the BBC,” said Tom White, UK managing director for Siemens Business Services. “This is an exciting time for the media industry and we are well-positioned at the forefront of an emerging market, where IT, communications and broadcast technologies converge.”
All 1,400 staff from BBC Technology will transfer into Siemens Business Services.
“We’re creating a platform to grow our media business internationally. BBC Technology has already established itself firmly in the UK and US markets, and we are committed to both these key markets, and their existing customers,” added White. “Our intention is to capitalise on BBC Technology’s heritage by combining the company’s portfolio of products and services – including award-winners, London Media Gateway and Colledia – with our own existing media capabilities.”
“This is exciting news for our staff and our customers,” said Adrian Corcoran, managing director of BBC Technology. “Being part of a large, global organisation gives us the resources, opportunities and investment that just weren’t available as part of the BBC, whose focus quite rightly is content not technology investment.”
(GB)
VMI.TV Ltd

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

06/02/2018
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
13/04/2016
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
11/04/2017
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
02/10/2015
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
29/09/2017
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
04/11/2014
Production News - RTS Announces Craft & Design Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/2014. The winners will be announced at a ceremon
21/05/2015
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
24/05/2002
BBC's business-to-business broadband capability launched
BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s main commercial arm, have launched BBC Preview – the first business-to-business broadband application that allows internation
16/06/2004
BBC 'disappointed' by Bectu ballot treat on BBC Technology sale
The BBC has expressed "disappointment" that Bectu is threatening industrial action over the sale of BBC Technology. Yesterday, the union had claimed t
27/11/2003
BBC Technology to be sold; Bectu issue strong condemnation
The BBC are to sell their wholly-owned commercial subsidiary BBC Technology, subject to final approval by DCMS Secretary of State Tessa Jowell. The mo
15/08/2007
BBC Resources Limited Prepares For Sale
The BBC has announced that the process for the sale of its commercial subsidiary, BBC Resources Limited, has begun and an advertisement is to appear i
18/11/2014
Winners Announced For RTS North West Centre Awards
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the winners of its annual awards on 15 November at the Hilton, Manchester. The even
29/01/2016
RTS Announces Television Journalism Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2016.   The awards, for news and current aff
27/06/2005
Australian consortium Creative Broadcast Services agree to buy BBC Broadcast division
A contract has been signed with an Australian consortium, 'Creative Broadcast Services' to purchase BBC Broadcast in a deal put at £166 million that i
23/03/2001
LANGSDALE APPOINTED HEAD OF BBC TECHNOLOGY
PHILIP Langsdale, currently Director of BBC Distribution and Technology has been appointed Chief Executive of recently approved subsidiary company BBC