Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services
BBC iPlayer moves to the web to support Mac and Linux
- Are running Windows XP
- Are using Internet Explorer
- Use Windows Media Player
- Live in the UK
Well, it looks like at least some of those issues are being addressed. The BBC plans to launch a browser-based version of the iPlayer using Adobe's Flash technology to stream videos. Up until now, you had to download videos. The move to streaming video means that Mac and Linux users will be soon able to us the iPlayer.
Now if only the BBC would release a version of the iPlayer for non-UK customers. We're sure there'd be plenty of folks willing to pay a small subscription fee to watch new episodes of

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
harmx said 6:43PM on 10-16-2007
Hold fire Brad,
BBC iPlayer currently allows access to only some, not all BBC shows over the last 7 days.
The IT Crowd isn't a BBC show, but Chanenl 4's and available (free and paid)online via their similarly restrictive 4oD (on-demand) service :(
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happybob said 6:46PM on 10-16-2007
I concur.
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Peter said 8:58PM on 10-16-2007
I'm so sick of people complaining they are being left out. If the company isn't serving you, take your business somewhere else. The first company will suffer from lack of business and either change their ways or go under.
Then again, maybe they just don't care about giving up the small percentage of Mac and Linux users. You're never going to make everyone happy and maybe getting that last small percentage isn't worth the effort.
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Ollie M said 5:36PM on 10-16-2007
Channel 4's '4OD' is dramatically superior to the fairly half-assed iPlayer. Yet another area where it trumps the BBC.
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Simon Wakefield said 6:13AM on 10-17-2007
How can 4OD be vastly superior to iPlayer when the applications themselves (as well as Skys Anytime service) are actually the same
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Brad Linder said 6:46PM on 10-16-2007
Thanks for the info harmx. I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic so I haven't been able to test out the iPlayer for myself. I updated the post to reflect your corrections.
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Ollie said 7:44PM on 10-16-2007
For the following reasons, Simon:
- 4OD offers programmes free for 30 days and they're available for a price after that. iPlayer offers programmes for 7 days currently - after that, they're gone.
- 4OD has a far better interface, including a TV schedule you can check through, find and book programmes with.
- 4OD has a selection of National Geographic programmes
I'm completely aware they're both Kontiki powered but it's my opinion (for the above reasons, among others) that Channel 4 are outclassing the BBC thus far.
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steve said 12:23PM on 10-17-2007
people from the uk are paying for the bbc with their licence fee, unless people outside the uk are prepared to pay £135 a year it would be unfair for them to access to bbc content
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Eleventeen said 4:21PM on 10-18-2007
Top Gear!!
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