May 7, 2013

BT goes into the news business with 12-strong editorial team

A team of 12 Press Association journalists are set to work on a new website being developed by British Telecom this summer.

The group, which will work exclusively on BT.com, is made up of a mixture of new recruits and current PA journalists.

Headed up by experienced web journalist Warren Chrismas, the team will work out of PA’s London offices.

Managing editor Chrismas has previously worked at Yahoo, where he was managing editor, and Orange, where he was content and home page editor.

BT’s new website, which is set to go live in July, aims to combine news with a web search facility, email access and account and billing information.

Editorial content will be freely available to non-BT customers.

The company said users will have access to “exclusive editorial, video and picture content across news, entertainment, technology and lifestyle” and will also offer some live sport content.

PA managing director Tony Watson said: “The agreement with PA and BT represents a significant moment in our evolution from traditional content supplier to provider and manager of multi-platform content and solutions.

“Our position at the heart of the UK media industry enables us to provide and manage a high level of premium content for BT and we’re delighted they have chosen to work with us.”