The Guardian Unlimited reported that BBC Worldwide is buying Lonely Planet, Tony and Maureen' Wheeler's publishing company that grew from a quirky, typed report about their earliest travels called Across Asia on the Cheap. Lonely Planet Publications is now a 500-title empire that reportedly has been the world's largest guidebook publishing company -- until now. In addition to the books written about and published for hundreds of countries and cities, plus a newsletter, an on-line forum, on-line shopping, Lonely Planet TV and much more.
It's a lot for the Wheelers, but for BBC Worldwide, it's just a start. The report indicated that BBC plans on investing millions of pounds to ensure that "Lonely Planet's 500 titles [are] made available for travellers to research their trips and holidays in advance online. BBC Worldwide also plans to launch a Lonely Planet magazine, ramp up TV programming including the Six Degrees series, and boost distribution across the BBC and third-party channels worldwide."
I always imagine myself to be a Lonely Planet type of traveler -- adventurous, fearless, independent. I'm probably not. The Wheelers are -- and the suits on Fleet Street or wherever probably aren't. I hope the BBC doesn't ruin it.
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I grew up backpacking with Lonely Planet and I would also hate to see the company alter its alternative ethos. Still, I don't think we need to worry. Of all the large media companies, the BBC will probably have more respect for the franchise and the added investment should help Lonely Planet survive and possibly even thrive. At least for now, I'm optimistic.
ReplyDeleteKate - I think a lot of travelers share your hope. You have a good point about the BBC and its "respect for the franchise" exceeding that of many other potential buyers. It might go along with the BBC's handling of news and even entertainment compared with US networks and cable networks, which increasingly put quick profits and often sensationalism above anything else. We'll all eventually find out, won't we?
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