BBC to broadcast in Second Life

In the Second Life economy, more than $600,000 changes hands every day. In-game currency Linden dollars--which can be earned in the game in a variety of ways, including by getting a job or selling unique clothing styles--can be exchanged for cold, hard cash on the company's own version of the stock exchange. One Second Life virtual estate agent recently claimed to have become the game's first real-life millionaire.

The possibility of making real money from virtual creations is the subject of the latest episode of BBC show The Money Programme, and reporter Max Flint explores money-making options in a variety of online worlds--including Second Life and Lord of the Rings Online. The show will also be the first by the BBC to be broadcast simultaneously on terrestrial TV and within Second Life itself.

The Money Programme was first broadcast in 1966, and is a popular finance and business affairs TV show in the UK, broadcast on the BBC2 channel. It has featured guests including prime minister Tony Blair, Virgin entrepreneur Richard Branson, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

This episode of The Money Programme can be seen on June 1 at 7 p.m. on BBC2 on conventional telly, and also at the Rivers Run Red Cinema in Second Life (coordinates 200, 123, 45) at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. BST.