BBC Innovates

For a variety of reasons, particular countries are particularly good at particular things. Germany can make very fuel-efficient and clean car engines while America can't. Japan has mastered inventory control while Australia struggles. China can make Christmas lights cheaply, but can't manufacture a nuclear power station. No country can do all things equally well.

Britain is good at making television shows. The BBC is one example of how state-supported businesses can still be very innovative. There is a lot of debate going on at the moment on the impact of Podcasts. The BBC obviously is not underestimating the potential of this channel of distribution for its own content, and has started offering podcasts. This fast response to podcasts by the BBC is very innovative indeed and doesn't bode well for Podcasters thinking about taking them on in a head-to-head battle.

Podcasters need to find a very narrow niche that the BBC is not motivated to pursue.