BBC: "Archives available online for free"

There has been very few companies out there that consistently try to make services available over the web that are free. Typically the MO is that if a company has content or a service that isn't available elsewhere - make people pay to access it. Content archives has been no exception. But typically consumers have refused to open their wallets and overall the revenue earned from archived content is modest at best. Revolutionary thinking is needed.

The BBC has been a consistent online innovator and in the process has gained a reputation for being one of the most bleeding edge and successful websites on the Internet. In another remarkable move this week, they have announced that they are now opening up there vast archives to users. The plan seems obvious:

A) drive people to your site - larger audience = more advertising revenue
B) provide the content to get people hooked - larger audience = more advertising revenue

Most publishers and content providers put archived content behind walls blocked from user consumption and charge fees for distribution. It will be interesting to see who, if any, follow the lead of the BBC.