Beeb to show off in Second Life

Virtual world Second Life is to play host to the latest episode of the BBC's The Money Programme.

The programme, scheduled for TV broadcast tomorrow, will be screened simultaneously inside Second Life - at the Rivers Run Red Cinema. It will also be aired at two additional timeslots in the virtual cinema, to give Second Lifers more opportunity to catch it.

Second Life - the business evolution

Click on the links below to see pictures of some of the many real-world businesses that have set up outposts in Second Life.

Toyota
Nissan
Intel
Dell
Cisco
IBM
Circuit City
Sears
Wired
ABN Amro
Samsung
Field Fisher Waterhouse
AOL
Adidas
Nissan
Sun Microsystems
Reebok
Penguin
American Apparel
Reuters
CNET Networks
PA Consulting
Yankee Stadium

The episode will feature reporter Max Flint exploring moneymaking options in a variety of online worlds - including Second Life and Lord of the Rings Online.

The screening marks the first time the BBC has broadcast a programme simultaneously on traditional TV and within Second Life itself.

Second Life's in-game currency, called Linden dollars, can be earned in a variety of ways. Some people, for example, hold down virtual jobs on the site while others sell unique clothing styles. Linden dollars can also be exchanged for real money on the company's own version of the stock exchange. One Second Life virtual real-estate agent recently claimed to have become the game's first real-life millionaire.

Emma Boyes writes for GameSpot UK