BBC does it
In what capacity? BBC has no adverts across any of its platforms and has some pretty strict guidelines about things being promoted on their programs.
I've been reading BBC world and accessing it from several regions for years and I can recall ever since, there's an Ad on every video you want to watch, news or otherwise. Not as annoying as Youtube and definitely not as long or intrusive, but there's definitely advertising on BBC digital. BBC channels are a bit more annoying.
What sort of ads? They occasionally advertise their own services on there -- for instance new programs or sports events and so on but I've never seen an advert for anything else on their platforms or youtube, though I've not watched BBC World. I know they have none domestic channels around the world as well and maybe their income is different for those and they are funded by other advertising revenue.
Again, I'm not saying it's bad, far from it. You've got to respect that media needs revenue and most of it comes from advertising, and digitally, most of that comes from sponsored content. As long as it's clearly marked "advertorial" or "sponsored", it's fine, and 100% accepted in traditional news industry.
Here's a BBC sponsored story: http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20160914-the-man-behind-the-million-dollar-homepage
Almost can't tell right? But it's part of this fully sponsored campaign by Ecco: https://www.bbcglobalnews.ltd/bbc-storyworks-creative/ecco-sponsored-content/
Here's a BBC sponsored story: http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20160914-the-man-behind-the-million-dollar-homepage
Almost can't tell right? But it's part of this fully sponsored campaign by Ecco: https://www.bbcglobalnews.ltd/bbc-storyworks-creative/ecco-sponsored-content/
I really can't hehe. I can't see the Ecco sponsorship on the actual BBC page or their branding, unless it really is that subtle.
You still have to pay for TV licences there, don't you? We paid it for years, legacy of the Empire, but their sun finally set and we've been getting "free TV" for about 10 years now.
Yes we do. And if you don't pay up you get masses of harrassment. I don't see how that model can continue for much longer. I haven't watched a live TV show in more than a decade.
You don't have to pay it then if that's the case. You only have to pay if you watch TV. I've heard that they'll send you a lot of letters about it but they're just to try persuade you to pay up.
Isn't it pretty obvious, when somebody starts reading an article, whether they are reading a product placement article or not?
Not always and that's the big issue and why sponsored content should be clearly displayed. There's a difference between them posting some news about a new product they or people may find interesting, and those being paid to actively promote one. Some people or websites would promote anything as long as they're paid for it, whereas if they weren't the wouldn't or might not even mention it, and that's the conflict of interest.
