BBC launches pay model for US website

In the initial phase of the launch, users will pay $1 a week ($49.99/year) or $8.99/month for unlimited access to the BBC’s news articles, feature stories and the 24/7 livestream of the BBC News channel.

Later this year, the BBC plans to include ad-free documentary series and films (including the full BBC Select documentary catalogue), ad-free and early release podcasts, and exclusive newsletters and content in the offer.

The BBC said the pay model launch supports its effort to grow international commercial revenue to help fund its journalism and storytelling.

BBC.com relaunched last year and now reaches 139 million visitors globally, including nearly 60 million in the US.

Visitors who choose not to pay will still have access to select global breaking news stories, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service radio livestreams, BBC World Service Languages sites, and a variety of free newsletters and podcasts. The site will remain ad-supported.

Rebecca Glashow, CEO, BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming, said: “We’re bringing more of the BBC’s trusted, high-quality content together in one powerful, easy-to-access destination. Over the next few months, as we test and learn more about audience needs and habits, additional long-form factual content will be added to the offer for paying users. This is a major milestone and just the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”

Deborah Turness, CEO, BBC News, said: “Through our partnership with BBC Studios we are growing our audiences in North America - providing more people with news they can trust at a time of dramatic global uncertainty.”