The BBC's main daily news bulletins are to be made available to web users on demand as the corporation makes its first steps towards broadcasting via the internet.

The corporation said today it had signed deals to provide news and sport content for Telewest's Blueyonder and Freeserve's broadband offerings as part of an ongoing attempt to provide for broadband users,

The BBC claims it is part of its remit to help drive digital take-up.

However, by providing content to partners free of charge the corporation may face fresh accusations of squeezing out its commercial competitors.

"This relationship with Blueyonder and Freeserve is the start of a journey, which we hope will soon be joined by others to create a truly broadband Britain," said Angel Gambino, the controller of business development at the BBC.

As well as offering the one o'clock, six o'clock and 10 o'clock news bulletins on demand, the service will feature the top eight BBC news stories of the day, enhanced with video related content such as extended interviews and speeches.

The BBC website already offers video clips of certain bulletins but this will be the first time it has been packaged specifically for broadband users.

BBC Sport will also contribute content, offering a video and audio round-up of the latest sports headlines.

Users will be able to access live audio commentaries of football and rugby matches, together with feature-length interviews and reports culled from BBC Sport programmes.

As demand for the service increases, the BBC will introduce more exclusive content and, depending on the success of the services, will consider introducing entertainment and factual content.

The sudden rush to publicise its broadband services was sparked by BT's move to cut broadband prices.