BBC are planning to launch a global iPlayer

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brian Randell <Brian.Randell () ncl ac uk>
Date: October 25, 2009 6:44:28 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: BBC are planning to launch a global iPlayer

Hi Dave:

For IP, if you wish, from the (UK) Telegraph website.

Cheers

Brian

> The BBC is planning to launch a paid for international version of  
> the iPlayer which would allow global audiences to watch programmes  
> like Doctor Who, Torchwood and Top Gear.
>
> The BBC is planning to launch a paid for international version of  
> the iPlayer which would allow global audiences to watch programmes  
> like Torchwood and Top Gear.
> The BBC iPlayer has received over 500 million requests to view BBC  
> television programmes, like Doctor Who and EastEnders, since its  
> launch in 2007
>
> BBC Worldwide, the profit making arm of the corporation, said that a  
> global iPlayer would enable the business to raise its prices for its  
> premium content.
>
> Executive say that global audiences would be prepared to pay $10 for  
> an episode of hit programmes like Torchwood, the Doctor Who spin-off  
> starring John Barrowman.
>
> The global iPlayer would also host "premium catalogue material"  
> including historical material from the BBC's archives and catch-up  
> material from overseas channels.
>
> It would not show the BBC's domestic iPlayer content because of  
> international rights clearance required.
>
> However, it could host programmes shown by other UK broadcasters  
> such as Channel 4.
>
> The focus is expected to be on America, where 20 million of  
> BBC.com's 50 million users are registered.
>
> Luke Bradley Jones, who heads BBC Worldwide's digital operations in  
> the US and managing director of BBC.com, told PaidContent that the  
> global iPlayer would enable the business to raise its prices.
>
> He said: "Millions of people love Torchwood and would probably pay  
> 10 bucks an episode rather than two bucks," he said, referring to  
> the price-ceiling imposed by iTunes.
>
> The BBC iPlayer allows viewers to watch popular BBC programmes for  
> up to seven days after they were first broadcast. It has received  
> over 500 million requests to view BBC television programmes, like  
> EastEnders, since its launch in 2007.
>
> The international iPlayer plans, reportedly six months in  
> development, will first require approval from the BBC Trust, the  
> Corporation's governing arm.
>
> In the meantime, BBC Worldwide intends to sell applications on  
> several mobile platforms, where it sees "a much higher willingness  
> to pay for content." Mr Bradley-Jones added that commercial BBC  
> mobile apps will likely cost around $2 and arrive in the next few  
> months.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/social-media/6406428/BBC-plans-paid-for-global-iPlayer.html

--
School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 7RU, UK
EMAIL = Brian.Randell () ncl ac uk   PHONE = +44 191 222 7923
FAX = +44 191 222 8232  URL = http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/people/brian.randell




-------------------------------------------
Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now
RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/
Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com