UK license fee-payers may be already be familiar with Live Lounge, the BBC Radio 1 strand which sees artists visit the Radio 1 studio to record intimate performances. But now the BBC is going global and multi-media with its music offering.
At NewFronts in New York, the event at which premium publishers tout their upcoming content roster to hopeful advertisers, BBC Worldwide executives led their pitch with a music offering.
“For the first time ever, BBC Music is coming to the US with a comprehensive commercial offering around TV, digital, social and live events,” says Aaron Tabas, director of the BBC StoryWorks content studio.
Tabas calls Live Lounge the “backbone” of the offering. “It will be living on bbc.com in a unique commercial environment where advertisers can sponsor it,” he says. “We can do branded content. We can do live launch events, something that really allows them to connect with music fans and build their brand messaging.
“We’re going to be creating this section on bbc.com and it’s going to be a really in-depth journalism proposition where advertisers can own 100% share of voice around your standard IAB advertising units. We will also be looking to create some really high-end backed branded content with advertisers.”
BC Global News’ NewFronts announcements included:
- BBC Reel: A new video strand curating BBC video content with themed playlists and mini-seasons, plus user-created playlists.
- BBC Music: The service is opening up to the rest of the world, bringing performances from the Live Lounge plus music news and festival coverage.
- The World’s Kitchen: an augmented reality app in which chefs teach users recipes.
- World of Wonder: 360-degree VR video allowing users to navigate natural wonders and historic places with BBC News reporters.
- WorkLife: The BBC is refocusing Capital, its work section for young professionals to include lifestyle elements.
- 100 Women: BBC News’ annual examination of the role of women arond the world is returning.
This video is part of Beet.TV’s coverage of the Digital Content NewFronts 2018. The series a co-presentation of Beet.TV and the IAB. Please see additional videos from the series on this page.