Quick Hits: BBC smartphone strategy; Corden pitches Apple; Spotify + Facebook?

Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web:

BBC wants to own your phone: The BBC has been edging itself toward a more digital operation, and the latest push will involve going mobile. Ben Cooper, the controller of Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra, spoke with The Guardian about lessons the broadcaster is learning from the U.S. streaming market. “I want the production team thinking just as much about the on-demand, phone-first programming as they are about the live radio programme,” he said. “That is a huge step-change in terms of a radio station’s thinking and attitude.”

Corden stars in Apple Music ad: Apple has been tapping into its many celebrity ties for its Apple Music advertisements. The latest one doubles down on the streaming service’s score of rights to a Carpool Karaoke spinoff. The spot features comedian and late night talk show host James Corden pitching ad ideas to Apple execs, and getting into some pretty elaborate costumes of rock stars in the process.

Spotify + Facebook? The latest in the Spotify rumor mill is about the streaming service potentially pursuing a sale to Facebook. The speculation stemmed from Joakim Dal, an investment manager at partial Spotify owner GP Bullhound, who spoke about the prospective action with the Swedish press. “Historically, building social networks around its offerings has been a weak spot for Spotify,” Dal said. “In that sense a deal with Facebook would be something positive.” Given Spotify’s long-term focus on an IPO, a sale seems unlikely.

Anna Washenko