BBC Trust launches Red Button and Online review

The BBC’s governing body has launched a review of BBC Online and Red Button services.

The BBC Trust’s review will look at how the services are meeting the objectives set for them by the last reviews, how well they are serving their audiences and how they have adapted to changes in technology, media and audience behaviour. BBC Online was last reviewed in 2008 and Red Button in 2010.

The Trust has launched a public consultation and said views would be welcomed from members of the public who use these services, as well as relevant organisations and stakeholders.

BBC Trustee Suzanna Taverne, who is leading the review, said: “The BBC’s digital offer is constantly evolving – last time we examined BBC Online, the now firmly-established iPlayer did not even exist – so it is particularly important to review these services regularly.

“We know that what Digital achieved at the Olympic Games was just the beginning, and the BBC’s online and red button services will become even more important in future. I am keen for this review to ensure that these service licences are fit for purpose and give them the space to develop and innovate in order to continue meeting licence fee payers’ needs and expectations.”

The BBC recently announced plans to reduce the video offering on its Red Button service on Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media from five streams to one as part of a series of changes to the Red Button service.

The public consultation into BBC Online and Red Button will be open until 23 January, 2013.