The BBC has pushed back plans to launch a range of apps for the iPhone after competition issues were raised.
The free mobile content marketing apps include a news app from the BBC which is one of the most popular online news providers. Other apps include a BBC iPlayer and Sports app.
Initially due to be unveiled in April, it is reported that the BBC Trust has requested that the company push back its plans to launch the apps and is to look into the business plan for this new delve into the world of mobile content generation.
The BBC comments that the BBC Trust is looking at whether the new apps fall under the existing remit of the company, or whether they are a completely new service.
Since inception, the apps have been subject to much criticism from industry commentators, who say that the free apps will ”skew” the market. Particular criticism has come from the Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA), who were cited in the BBC as saying that the apps would ”damage the nascent market.”
Other news content providers such as The Guardian and The Telegraph offer free and paid for apps, with the NPA believing that the BBC will secure unfair competitive advantage by launching free apps.
Such heated discussions follow after the newspaper publishing sector moves to embrace the world of online content, with many publishers seeing a decline in print sales. Such a decline has led News International to introduce paid subscriptions on its Times Online sites as of June 2010. In addition v3.co.uk reports that the industry is seeking to embrace technology such as the iPad, to increase revenues.
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