MediaBuyerPlanner: British news media launched a nearly $1 million campaign to enter the American market with the debut of the BBC World division of the British Broadcasting Corporation, which started a campaign yesterday to introduce Americans to a 24-hour cable news network that seeks to compete against Fox News Channel and CNN, writes The New York Times.

The campaign, by BBDO Worldwide in New York, includes BBC World News interactive billboards placed in New York that allow passers-by to view news photos and send text messages to side with one of two featured differing opinions - the tallied results are updated and posted on the digital billboard.

The campaign will also include promotional spots on a New York radio station that will report on the vote tallies from the billboard, posters on train platforms, signs at construction sites, as well as a media tour where American reporters can interview BBC anchors and reporters.

The BBC news network is the third recent example of the British media aiming at Americans. In February, The Economist started tests in Baltimore to increase U.S. subscription and newsstand sales. Also, the Times of London announced last week that it would begin publishing a daily newspaper for Americans.