The BBC has plans to release both a news and sports app, hoping to have them approved by Apple in time for the FIFA World Cup.

According to the Mac News Network, the BBC hopes to have the app submitted to the app store by April, and said that in the sports app, the initial focus will be on provide full coverage of the FIFA World Cup. Formula 1 and other content is planned to follow later in the year. The sport app will also feature content from the BBC Sport website through 5 Live radio, with the ability to watch some matches and other content.

In the news app, users will be able to access stories from the BBC website, which will also incorporate blogs, audio and video. The app will also allow users to send comments and pictures straight to the BBC newsroom.

Commenting on the glut of news and sports apps, the BBC’s Director of Future Media and Technology stood behind his decision to enter the market and said in a BBC article that the BBC audience “want to access the digital services that they have paid for at a time and place that suits them”.

The apps will be free, although international versions will rely on advertising. There’s no word yet on availability in the NZ app store. The BBC said that BlackBerry and Android apps are also in the works.

Image via The Guardian.