BBC
Transforming compliance: how CoreStream GRC helped the BBC save time and build trust
Introduction: elevating governance and compliance at the BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), one of the world’s most recognized public service broadcasters, faced mounting challenges in managing compliance efficiently across its operations. With a weekly audience of 426 million people, the stakes for compliance and governance were high.
CoreStream GRC stepped in as a trusted partner, delivering flexible, intuitive, and scalable solutions to address these complex needs. This case study highlights how CoreStream GRC helped the BBC achieve operational excellence across two critical functions, proving the platform’s ability to support diverse enterprise requirements.
About the BBC
A global leader in broadcasting, the BBC is a public corporation under the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport in the UK, with a mission to provide impartial public service broadcasting.
Employees: 21,000+
Audience Reach: 426 million weekly
TV Channels: 8
Radio Stations: 10
Challenge
Manual processes holding back efficiency
The BBC faced two distinct governance challenges that called for a technology-driven transformation:
Challenge 1: ensuring local radio content compliance
The BBC’s manual process for reviewing and approving pre-recorded local radio content struggled to keep pace with the increasing volume of compliance requests. Maintaining an audit trail and demonstrating due process before broadcast became increasingly difficult.
Challenge 2: streamlining interactivity management
Managing compliance for audience engagement activities—such as votes, competitions, and awards—was another operational challenge. These workflows needed to comply with OFCOM and PhonepayPlus regulations, but the manual processes used were labor-intensive, inconsistent, and time-consuming.
Solution
CoreStream GRC: scalable technology built for enterprise complexity
Solution 1: automated compliance for pre-recorded content
CoreStream GRC developed a bespoke solution that automated the compliance process for pre-recorded local radio content. Key features included:
- Approval workflows: ensuring all content was vetted and approved before broadcast by relevant stakeholders.
- Centralized document repository: enabling the storage and retrieval of supporting compliance documentation for audit purposes.
This technology solution enabled the BBC to maintain compliance effortlessly while streamlining operations.
Solution 2: interactivity management solution
CoreStream GRC designed and implemented the BBC Interactivity Management Solution (IMS), a module tailored to handle the complexities of audience engagement across TV, radio, and online. Key features included:
- Dynamic approval checklists: Generating tailored compliance workflows based on event types.
- Automated processes: Reducing time spent on approvals from hours to minutes.
This wasn’t just a technological implementation—it was a collaborative effort. CoreStream GRC’s consultative approach ensured that the platform aligned seamlessly with the BBC’s requirements, organizational culture, and compliance standards.
Outcome
Outcome 1: pre-recorded content compliance
- Compliance assurance: Zero compliance breaches since implementation.
- Audit readiness: Historical cases can now be audited and reviewed on demand.
- Efficiency gains: Major cost and time savings, recognized by the BBC Finance Committee.
“The BBC have had a long standing relationship with CoreStream GRC, and the level of service they provide is exemplary. We quickly learned that CoreStream GRC could adapt to our requests and provide a quality product on time and within budget. I highly recommend CoreStream GRC as a trusted provider for all technology projects.”
— Simon Rose, Operations Manager, Interactive Compliance, BBC
Outcome 2: Interactivity management success
- Regulatory compliance: Zero compliance breaches over five years.
- Time savings: Approval processes now take minutes instead of hours.
- Cultural fit: The intuitive platform aligns with the BBC’s operational needs and values.
“CoreStream GRC has been central to ensuring audience trust in our interactive systems. Their solutions are intuitive, secure, and designed with the client’s needs in mind.”
— Claire McLaughlin, Head of Interactive Technology, BBC
One GRC platform, endless possibilities
The BBC’s success with CoreStream GRC showcases the power of a flexible, integrated platform to solve diverse enterprise challenges. By automating complex workflows and embedding compliance at every step, CoreStream GRC has enabled the BBC to operate more efficiently while maintaining audience trust.
Whether managing compliance for pre-recorded content or audience interactivity, CoreStream GRC proves that scalable, intuitive technology is a game-changer for enterprise governance.
“At CoreStream, we’re proud to support the BBC in transforming their compliance operations. This partnership exemplifies how our flexible platform enables organizations to address diverse challenges with confidence, efficiency, and agility. By putting the user first, CoreStream GRC empowers enterprises to turn complexity into opportunity.”
About CoreStream GRC: the flexible, no-code solution for GRC success
CoreStream GRC is a dynamic, flexible platform that revolutionizes governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) management. Built to be scalable and intuitive, CoreStream GRC empowers organizations to design and implement their ideal GRC solution with ease, supported by a team of experts. With a user-friendly, no-code interface and customizable features, CoreStream GRC is the perfect tool for businesses that need efficiency and flexibility without the complexities of traditional software.
CoreStream GRC’s platform is trusted by global organizations such as the BBC, Deloitte, NHS, PwC Middle East, and Shell Energy, delivering real, measurable value to help companies manage their risks and compliance requirements.
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The BBC and its Partners have awarded contracts to CoreStream GRC through competitive procurement processes. I have recommended CoreStream GRC repeatedly as the company provides reliable, robust, intuitive software which has met the BBC information security, data and risk controls. It’s not just the software I am buying but access to a team that understands both technical requirements and the client culture, and combines this with a bespoke, attentive, professional service at a competitive market rate. As a client I feel that our needs are understood, met, reviewed and supported in a timely manner. I have worked with CoreStream GRC on a number of small, medium and scalable projects and from concept to delivery it has been a good experience. In my role at the BBC, audience trust is imperative and the systems we use to deliver and comply audience engagement is of paramount importance. CoreStream GRC has been central to us securing and retaining audience trust and the business partnership we share is first class.
-Claire McLaughlin,
BBC Head of Interactive Technology, BBC
