Online ads could make BBC £105m per year

If plans go ahead, the Beeb could be laughing...

The BBC could stand to make up to £105m per year if it goes ahead with plans to place ads on its international homepage and news websites.

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According to a report commissioned by the corporation into the feasibility of introducing online ads, such a strategy could generate significant revenues for the corporation within five years.

Analysts believe that the international strength and appeal of the BBC brand would give advertisers significant online traffic to tap into.

Plans are by no means finalised, with significant opposition reportedly coming from BBC News staff in particular to how online advertising would fit into the BBC remit. A decision is unlikely to be made before the end of the year.