The BBC announced the closure of its commercial Web division last
week, following disappointing retail sales from magazine- and
programme-related Web sites.
The corporation, backed by US investment firm THLee Putnam
Ventures, launched the Beeb Ventures division in August 2000 to
capitalise on brands such as Radio Times and Top Gear, but it
struggled to make headway in the competitive online retail market.
Most sites housed by Beeb Ventures will be pared down and run by
the magazine business BBC Worldwide.
The BBC will retain its online shopping portal beeb. com, and
beeb.net, as part of BBC Worldwide's global Internet business.
