In a remarkable, historic move, the BBC is to make its vast archives available for download on the internet -- for free!
"The service, the BBC Creative Archive, would be free and available to everyone, as long as they were not intending to use the material for commercial purposes," the company's news site says.
At a time when other content creation organisations -- notably the US music industry -- are fretting about how to make users pay for content, the BBC has truly embraced the spirit of the internet.
Sure, the Beeb won't make any money directly from this "intellectual property" -- but it will hugely enhance its brand, making it the number one name associated with digital content, which will give it much power in the future.
All of this content -- from Monty Python sketches to football commentary -- has already been paid for by the British public. Why keep it locked up?
So argues Alan Connor in a debate that is spreading like wildfire across the internet.
Content wants to be free. Kudos to the BBC for recognising this!
Comments
40 comments
I would like a copy of lenny henry thriller as I was in that comedy sketch how would I be able to get hold of a copy
Dear Sir
Whenever we go to see our friends in Germany, they seem to frequently show a short film with the famous Freddie Frinton as a butler who is serving wine and drinks to guests around a Christmas table, but unfortunately, is expected to sample each drink before serving.
The lady of the table seems to always say "same as last year *****?".
They find this incredibly funny and strangely enough show it every hour throughout their Christmas day (26th).
Please could you look into your archives and supply me with more information of this classic material.
Many thanks
G T Moore
My name is Monique Matthews, I am the sister of the wrongfully convicted and legally lynched, Ryan Matthews. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to die in Louisiana. My mother was interviewed by the BBC in October 2003. He is being represented by Brittish lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith. My family and I would greatly appreciate a copy of the transcript from the radio broadcast.
i would very much like to know if any videos are available from ANY sourse including bbc of "The Black & White Minstrel Show"
My father was a member of the PT Core from Aldershot and performed a gynastic display at the Albert Hall in the late fifties, it was telivised by the BBC. Would the programme still be in the archive? If there is a slim chance of it being available how could I get a copy
If possible i would like to get copies of B.B.C Come Dancing from the late 1960s. Can you advise me if this is possible
Thanks Denis Knowles
I have been trying everywhere to get a copy of one of Ronnie Barker's silent screamers Futtocks End - is this available??
I have been collecting family history of my family for many years. I would like to add some
Come Dancing reminders of my daughter dancing for Home Counties South 1980 1981 period. would there be copies in the BBC Archives?
Regards Mike Jessop
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A TAPE FROM NOEL EDMONDS CHRISTMAS SHOW 1994,IT WAS WHEN THE HOLLIES WERE IN A MAN BACK GARDEN SINGING.
HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HOLD OF FUTTCKS END, THE PICNIC AND A DAY AT THE SEA SIDE, BY THE TWO RONNIES. IS THERE ANYWHERE I CAN GET THESE
REGARDS ADRIAN
in 1984 the old grey whistle test did a report on the monsters of rock festival at donington park,on it was a clip from the us group van halen.i was wondering if the bbc recorded the whole of their performance that day as i remember the cameras filming as i was right at the front of the stage?
my family were on the BBC Cilla Black show in the early 70's in Southampton. It was the day Saints played West Ham at the Dell. My mum who was on the show is 86 now and soon to go into a home as she has mild altzheimers. I would be great to obtain a copy of the show for her while she still remembers.
Hi,
I too (see M Egleton, March 6 2004) have been looking, for several years, for Futtock's End by Ronnie Barker (1969/70). I hope it can be found in the archives.
I'm yet another member of the "Searching for a copy of Futtock's End, club!
This film is sooooo rare!
G'day from downunder Australia...I too am searching for a copy of Futtocks End. Please someone let me know if they know where I can obtain a copy. I have the Picnic and By The Sea for those interested in those.
Ihave tried before to get copies of the old b.b.c come dancing on video, but without success. Yet whilst looking at a preview of the new celebrity come dancing several scenes from the old series were shown which proves they are still in existance. But how do I get copies
I'm trying to get hold of Christopher Mayhew's mescaline experiment for the Panorama program in 1955. Is it or will it be available?
I'm trying to get hold of Christopher Mayhew's mescaline experiment for the Panorama program in 1955. Is it or will it be available?
Im trying to get hold of the silent comedy "Futtocks End"for myDad-without success,along with many other people I think!!Anyone know where I could get a copy??
As all the others,i too would like a copy of Futtock's End,with Ronnie Barker and Julian Orchard.Also an equally fantastic silent b/w film,written by Ronnie Barker.I have never seen funnier films.David
I would like info on if or where I could get a copy of Futtocks End. Didn't think there was such a great demand for this film!
I would love a copy of Futtocks End for my wife. She loved it. I can't believe it is no longer available. I got a short excerpt from ebay but the quality was very poor. One day maybe!
As a Young man, That's 60 yr's ago I had a copy of a play called "Flags on the Matterhorn" Re Wympers succesfull climb, on 12" vynyl records I still remember much of it by heart, is it possible there is a copy somewhere that could be obtained Now
I am desperately seeking a video or dvd of Ronnie Barker's Futtock's End. It still remains one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Why is it not avaliable?!! It would make a brilliant Christmas present to inflict on the unsuspecting.............Also, I remember Ronnie Barker as Bottom The Weaver in a BBC production of A Midsummer Night's Dream circa 1971 - it was fantastic - I'd love a copy of this also.
i.d loved to get hold of a copy of futtock's end my ex husband once saw it years ago and would love to see it again, please email me if you know where i can get a copy for him
i'd love to get hold of a copy of the film david it was a film made for t.v about a boy's father who set's the boy on fire at six to get back at his mother then given 13 years in prison gets out after only 6 years
i.d love a copy of the klaxons the clap clap as my dad used to play this on his sqeeze box for years before he died in 1991
my daughter would love a copy of the tv series called out of this world which she saw years ago if any body knows where i can get hold of it
I also would like to get hold of a copy of 'Futtocks End'.
I too would like to obtain a copy of the famous Futtocks End. If it is available how much in Aussie Dollars please. Many thanks.
Do you know where I can buy a copy of Futtocks End? I see from the comments that others also interested.
Add my name to the list of Futtock's End fans! It was without a doubt the best film of the late 60s / early 70s. However, I don't remember it being MADE by the BBC...? Presumably, then, the can't make it free to download ... or can they????
I'M A BIG DUTCH CILLA BLACK FAN AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME COPIES OF CILLA SHOWS ON THE BBC IN THE SIXTIES-SEVENTIES.
WHO CAN HELP ME???
I've located a Super-8, albeit sound copy of said film in a Brighton junk shop. Any ideas about transferring it to VHS or DVD? How much do 'the experts' charge (inclusive of the sound - if they do that too) - and anyone here know whether it was available uncut on Super-8 (otherwise I won't buy it)? Please email any info that you have...
Also, anyone got any copies of the 1992 BBC series Moon & Son starring John Mitchie & Milicent Martin...? There were 13 eps, and any would be of interest...
As with others, i'm trying to find out where i can lay my hands on a copy of the very funny "futtock's end" with ronnie barker? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
And here's yet another fan of the peerless Ronnie Barker, looking for a copy of Futtock's End: since about 1970, I think. Any format wd be accepted, for swaps, trade, money, borrow - anything! I kept hearing rumours that it was in Ruport Murdoch's collection and soon to be commercially released, but that was ten years ago...
Help?
regards
HW
IMPORTANT NOTE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS POSTED A MESSAGE HERE LOOKING FOR A COPY OF FUTTOCK'S END OR SIMILAR:
I am the person who runs this site. I have absolutely no connection with the BBC; I simply wrote an article about their plans to allow some archived material to be put online. I cannot get you any copies of any archived material.
Here is the original article:
http://www.mediajunk.com/public/archives/000160.html
This is the comments section for that article.
However, if you want to leave your requests here, feel free to do so, and to leave your email address. Who knows? Maybe someone from the BBC will actually read the page and get back to you individually.
But, in my opinion, the chances of that happening are fairly remote. Sorry!
I too am looking for a copy of Futtocks end!!! My parents remember how much it had them in stitches!!! PLease could someone who finds where they can get a copy let me know?!
HAVE NOW GOT A COPY OF FUTTOCKS END .
IF ANYBODY WANTS A COPY GET IN TOUCH