DCD.L Regulatory News (DCD)

11 Jan 2005 07:00

Embargoed: 0700hrs, 11 January 2005 Digital Classics Plc (the "Company") Re. Agreement Digital Classics Plc is delighted to announce that it has been awardedpreferred supplier status for the BBC Digital Curriculum project as part of theEdICTs Consortium.Digital Classics has joined a group of other software and content providers inthe consortium, which is one of a small number that has the right to tender forsupplying educational materials to the BBC's Digital Curriculum, a projectanticipated to take six years. The Company envisages that the BBC will announceseveral tenders every year, each for a specific subject and age range. DigitalClassics would expect to be strongly involved in tenders for subjects aroundits areas of expertise, such as Music, History of Art, English literature,Drama etc.The BBC has set aside approximately ‚£150 million per year to set up and providehalf the total UK digital curriculum. This will be offered free to schools, sothat the money ring-fenced by the Government for schools to buy digitalcurriculum products (currently ‚£130 million per year) can be spent by schoolson topics not covered by the BBC (such as Digital Classics' own Key Stage 3music product, MusicSuite). Half the BBC's half of the curriculum has to becommissioned from non-BBC sources.Digital Classics Chief Executive, Chris Hunt said, "This is an excitingpotential new revenue stream for us, and a tribute to the work of our Educationdivision. On average each preferred supplier can anticipate contracts worthseveral million pounds per year for several years and we are delighted to bepart of a consortium that has won this opportunity." -Ends- For further information please contact,Chris HuntChief ExecutiveTel. 020 7636 1400Adam Reynolds / Ben SimonsHansard CommunicationsTel. 020 7245 1100END