Two pioneers have joined hands - one the venerable media giant BBC and the other Microsoft, the technology monolith. Why? To develop and provide Web 2.0 solutions!

BBC boss Mark Thompson met Microsoft boss Bill Gates last Wednesday to sign the non-exclusive MoU and discuss the BBC’s digital strategy.

They announced that they would be examining plans for the following:

a) BBC’s online archive,
b) ways to share its programming and
c) a re-invented BBC Web site in the form of Web 2.0!

Bill Gates on the occasion said;

Microsoft’s strength is in driving digital innovation and our vision is to open up rich, new consumer experiences that allow people to enjoy digital content anytime, anywhere and on any device. This vision fits squarely with the BBC’s charter to lead the industry in delivering content that is compelling and accessible.

For his part Thompson said,

We are currently witnessing unprecedented rates of change in technology and audience expectations.

Well, this is definitely a big move by BBC. Already, BBC has opened a Web 2.0 project inviting user-generated content some time back. Also, BBC is not the first old media company to embrace Web 2.0. CNN started a user video upload and sharing feature too before it.

What we can foresee now is a sudden rush by the old media to embrace new media. This trend is only to grow in the coming days. Of course, there is no other way too. Adapt or fade!
News: Reuters