BBC running ads on their website in UK

[Susan.W]

So the other day I accessed the bbc website just like I've done countless times before, only to be presented with this message or pop-up.


Well I was totally surprised as was a friend that also saw it.  The BBC is paid for by TV licence fee payers, so how can they run ads on their website?  Is the BBC now a commercial broadcaster?

[a.flynn]

Really?  I've never seen ads on the bbc.co.uk site.  Maybe it was a spoof site and not the real bbc one?  Have you checked for any spyware or malware?

[LISTR-93]

So the other day I accessed the bbc website just like I've done countless times before, only to be presented with this message or pop-up.


Well I was totally surprised as was a friend that also saw it.  The BBC is paid for by TV licence fee payers, so how can they run ads on their website?  Is the BBC now a commercial broadcaster?

Glad I found this as I had a similar message when I visited the beeb site some days ago.  It's just plain wrong imho that they're showing adverts.

[blag-it Admin]

@ Susan.W.  Were you on the co.uk or .com version of the BBC website?  People outside the UK; those that visit the .com version, will see ads as far as I'm aware.



Admin

[Susan.W]

Really?  I've never seen ads on the bbc.co.uk site.  Maybe it was a spoof site and not the real bbc one?  Have you checked for any spyware or malware?

Don't think so, no!  I run an anti virus, bla, bla daily and I've not had any spyware and such.

[Susan.W]

So the other day I accessed the bbc website just like I've done countless times before, only to be presented with this message or pop-up.


Well I was totally surprised as was a friend that also saw it.  The BBC is paid for by TV licence fee payers, so how can they run ads on their website?  Is the BBC now a commercial broadcaster?

Glad I found this as I had a similar message when I visited the beeb site some days ago.  It's just plain wrong imho that they're showing adverts.

Absolutely!  Officially they're not a commercial broadcaster plus their seed funding is from TV licence fee payers, so already have an unfair advantage over commercial channels.  Running ads on top of this is just taking the mick!

[Susan.W]

@ Susan.W.  Were you on the co.uk or .com version of the BBC website?  People outside the UK; those that visit the .com version, will see ads as far as I'm aware.



Admin

Thanks Admin!  The pop-up does mention BBC.com, but the link I use is the co.uk one, so don't know how I got onto the .com site.  Had no idea that ppl outside the UK could see ads on the BBC website though, which is still wrong imho.

[blag-it Admin]

Happens to be true that people outside the UK; those that visit the .com version of their site, will see ads - which has been the case for some years.  The fact that you ended up on the .com one when you clicked a link for the co.uk, could be an ISP issue.  I think you must have been redirected to the .com site.



Admin

[and04]

@ Susan.W.  Were you on the co.uk or .com version of the BBC website?  People outside the UK; those that visit the .com version, will see ads as far as I'm aware.



Admin

Thanks Admin!  The pop-up does mention BBC.com, but the link I use is the co.uk one, so don't know how I got onto the .com site.  Had no idea that ppl outside the UK could see ads on the BBC website though, which is still wrong imho.

Agreed!  The BBC shouldn't be able to run adverts on any of their websites, or anywhere at all for that matter!  I find this absolutely incredible!

[a.flynn]

@ Susan.W.  Were you on the co.uk or .com version of the BBC website?  People outside the UK; those that visit the .com version, will see ads as far as I'm aware.



Admin

Thanks Admin!  The pop-up does mention BBC.com, but the link I use is the co.uk one, so don't know how I got onto the .com site.  Had no idea that ppl outside the UK could see ads on the BBC website though, which is still wrong imho.

Agreed!  The BBC shouldn't be able to run adverts on any of their websites, or anywhere at all for that matter!  I find this absolutely incredible!

I second that!  Not that I've seen any of their ads, albeit I've rarely been on their .com site.  The royal charter thingy should be revoked imho.