Lonely Planet is as Lonely Planet does
Posted Monday, October 01, 2007, 8:55 PM by Lonely Planet
BBC Worldwide managed the unthinkable when they convinced Tony and Maureen Wheeler to take an early retirement. Not such a hard task maybe when this simply means more travel for the intrepid couple.
It was announced yesterday that BBC Worldwide have bought a 75% stake in Lonely Planet. Here's what Tony and Maureen Wheeler have got to say about it.
How does it feel to be owned by the Beeb? So far, so good - the BBC is known for editorial independence and getting to every corner of the globe, things we like. And I'm excited by the fact that we're owned by the company that makes series like Planet Earth and Michael Palin's New Europe.
But the Beeb is also a mighty big corporation. Will this mean we have to wear shoes to the office? Wasn't The Office's David Brent based on BBC middle management??
Tony and Maureen tell us we'll be fine. With their remaining 25% they will ensure the company stays true to its roots and their vision. Relax everybody - the Lonely Planet Band looks safe.
And we were reassured that the BBCW people who came to OZ to make the announcement (only one of whom was wearing a suit, and even then, it was of the tie-less variety), were enthusiastically focused on our principled editorial...
...which is why I'm sure they won't mind me saying, that though this move represents further media consolidation and one less independent Australian publishing company - which is a great shame - they seem like good eggs.
Let's just hope they stay sunny-side up.
*And I'm assuming this means we now have copyright-free access to BBC online content?*
Labels: Breaking travel news, Inside Lonely Planet
Join the Discussion:
9 Comments:
Well we expect amazing things from your website now BBCW is on board. A podcast a day please!
Overall, I think its pretty good news, hopefully we will see an expansion of LP, which can't be a bad thing because everything they did seems to be pretty solid.
Only concern: I HOPE THE BEAN COUNTERS AT THE BBC DO NOT PHASE OUT GUIDEBOOKS TO LESS-TRAVELED LOCATIONS BECAUSE OF LOW BOOK SALES!!!!
¿Is it just me, or is it starting to feel more like Myanmar (em, Burma) around here?
- Afraid to post under my real name
Dear Maureen & Tony,
I would just like to thank you for all you have done for independent travelers throughout the world. Lonely planet has played a huge part in my life. Through your guidebooks I've traveled the world and have visited some incredible places met some amazing people and along the way I have created memories that will last me throughout my life.
I sincerely hope as you two move on to your next adventure you can look back on the past 34 years with no regrets and know that you both have created something special. It is said that you must first see the road less traveled before you can open your eyes to the world and I like to thank the two of you for helping open my eyes to this amazing world we all call home. Once again thank you for all you've done at lonely planet, you will miss but never forgotten.
Travel On, Michael
Please, please keep your independence!!! And I share the concern with bowneline (see below)... Best wishes for your future!
I think the BBC will give a great boost to LP and give it access to resources and communications channels it might not have gotten so easily before.
As regards cost cuts, remember that the BBC is a quasi public organisation - it makes lots of programmes that earn a lot of revenue from sales/pull an big audience but are designed for further public knowledge (e.g most of their nature/history programming!). If it had of been another publisher, I would have been more concerned!
hopefully your marvelous guides will make use of the BBCW's maps! Yes, they are the weakest link.
George Stockman
(owner and user of around 35 LP books)
Well done Lonely Planet. I think this will make a great synergy.
I honour the views of the owners and others but i really wish the ownership didn't change hands. Now i will have to preserve my old copies of the books. I wonder if the Lonely Planet will still remain the traveller's Bible or will it be another guide book or program! sorry but love for somethings can't change with the times.
Post a Comment
« Read more on the blog homepage