BBC Axes Online Educational Service, After Fears Of Commercial Sector Impact

BBC Trust is cracking the whip on BBC, and is scrapping online education service BBC Jam, following complaints from commercial rivals…it will be suspended from next Tuesday, March 20. BBC management has been asked to draw up new proposals for a formal education and learning online service, reports Guardian. The new plans will then be put through a public value test by the BBC Trust, including a market impact assessment by Ofcom.
The entire $300 million, five-year project was initially given the go-ahead subject to it meeting 17 tough license conditions to ensure that the content was appropriately public service. Around half the budget has been spent so far.
Meanwhile, BBC said it is unable to give any guarantees about the job security of around 200 BBC Jam staff after the service closes.
BBC News: The case was taken to the European Commission by representatives of educational software companies, BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, who said the service was damaging their business. The group said they took the action after their complaints to a watchdog – that the service being devised by the BBC was not distinctive and complementary to existing provision – were not acted on by the government.

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