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Filed under: Video

BBC working on global video-on-demand software

by Brad Linder Oct 7th 2009

BBC iPlayer
The BBC iPlayer allows UK residents to watch a wide variety of BBC programming including news and entertainment programs. The service is available in the UK at no additional cost, because UK residents basically pay an annual license fee to support the BBC. And that's why the iPlayer isn't available to viewers outside of the UK: No matter how much we want to watch the latest Doctor Who episodes online, we haven't paid for that right.

But it looks like we may soon have the option of paying to access an iPlayer-like service. PaidContent reports that BBC Worldwide plans to launch a global video portal. It's not entirely clear to me from the article whether users would be expected to pay for each video they want to watch or whether you'll be able to pay a monthly or annual fee to access the content. But I'm a bit concerned about one quote from a BBC official stating that Torchwood fans might be willing to pay $10 per episode rather than the $2 per episode you'd pay to watch the same show from iTunes.

What do you think? Would you pay $10 to watch a single episode of Doctor Who or Torchwood, or at that rate would you just sign up for a cable or satellite provider that carries BBC America? Or you know, resort to other, shadier means to get your fill of BBC Science Fiction programming.

Tags: bbc, bbc-iplayer, doctor-who, iplayer, torchwood

Filed under: Internet, Video, Google

Rumor: Google bringing the BBC iPlayer to the US?

by Brad Linder Jun 1st 2009

BBC iPlayer
Every time we write a story about Hulu, international Download Squad readers ask us when the streaming television site will be available outside of the US. And I get it. Because that's how I feel every time I see a story about the BBC iPlayer, which lets UK residents watch BBC programming online.

Well, Hulu is working on rolling out service in other countries as soon as it can get broadcast rights and advertising deals in place. The BBC iPlayer thing is a bit more complicated, because British citizens pay a licensing fee to support BBC content, which means that while iPlayer content is available ad-free in the UK, it's geotargeted to work only for computer users in the UK.

But now The Telegraph is reporting that the BBC is in negotiations with Google to roll out an international version of th eiPlayer. It's likely that any international version would either include advertising or a subscription fee.

And of course, there's a chance that this whole thing could fall through or that it's just a rumor. But if it's true, we could soon live in a world where you can watch episodes of Heroes, Doctor Who, or 24 in a web browser without resorting to the shadowy areas of the interenet.

[via Gizmodo]

Tags: bbc, iplayer, rumor, tv

Filed under: Video, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Web services, Freeware

BBC iPlayer adds High Definition Downloads

WindowsMacLinuxby Nik Fletcher Apr 16th 2009


No doubt you're familiar with the BBC iPlayer: we've been closely following the product's development since its cross-platform launch a little over a year ago. Since then we've seen plenty of developments, including the release of a desktop client (using Adobe's AIR technology) and today is another notable date for the iPlayer project.

In a move that's likely to please a lot of users - and infuriate already-annoyed internet providers - the BBC has announced that High Definition downloads are now available via a new version of the service's desktop client. The client will detect the speed of your connection which will pick the appropriate bit-rate version depending on your internet connection. The HD content, available as ever to British residents only, is available now via the BBC iPlayer site and there's plenty more content promised including Doctor Who and Dragons' Den.

Tags: BBC, BBC iPlayer, BbcIplayer, iPlayer

Filed under: Internet, Video

BBC will keep episodes online longer

by Christina Clark Aug 27th 2008

BBC iplayer
Beginning September 13th you will be able to watch your favorite BBC shows online, all the time. In the past, the BBC would post shows to the iPlayer and keep them up for only 7 days.

The new format will use series stacking, which basically means as each new episode becomes available, it will stack on top of old episodes. All episodes will remain available online so you will have the opportunity to watch entire series in one sitting or, just catch up on a few weeks of missed viewing.

According to the BBC press office, you will be able to catch up on a maximum of 13 episodes. It doesn't state if that's in one sitting or for one series or on the iPlayer overall though. Seems like an important detail to include.

iPlayer use for television shows is limited to those connecting from the UK, though radio programs are available to everyone.

[Via Mashable]

Tags: bbc, bbc iplayer, BbcIplayer

Filed under: Video, Web services, Beta

BBC iPlayer 2.0 arrives in beta

by Nik Fletcher Jun 26th 2008

iPlayer 2
We've covered the BBC iPlayer in great depth here at Download Squad - from its inception to nationwide rollout - and today, the BBC has announced version 2 of the (hugely successful) project. The new-look site has been heavily re-designed, bringing together both Radio and Television shows in a central portal. Personalisation also seems to be the key to the new release, which incidentally runs side-by-side (at least for now) with the previous version. The iPlayer site keeps track of what you last watched, listing up to ten recently-viewed shows and if that weren't enough, a list of 'last night's TV' is available to help you find shows to catch up with. The video playback size also increased from 512 pixels wide to 640 pixels (a jump of 25%) and the BBC has promised a more 'cinematic' feel to pages playing video.

The iPlayer continues to use Flash to stream videos online for seven days after broadcast, and remains available only to UK residents due to the BBC's publicly-funded status - but if you're a UK resident then you can get started with this new beta here.

Tags: BBC, bbc-iplayer, iPlayer, Video-streaming

Filed under: Internet, Video

BBC to broadcast live TV streams on the internet

by Brad Linder Jun 5th 2008

BBC One
First came pirated copies of TV shows being traded over the internet by fans the BBC iPlayer service which lets UK residents watch any TV program that's aired in the last seven days. Now the BBC plans to stream BBC1 content live over the internet.

The new streaming service will go live sometime int he next few months. The BBC already streams content from several of its news channels live, but this will be the first time you'll be able to watch live TV from the BBC's flagship channel on the web.

You'll need a broadband internet connection to watch. And you'll also also need to pay the same £139.50 annual license fee that you pay to watch television in the UK. Critics complain that it could be tricky for the BBC to enforce that policy, which means that television owners could wind up subsidizing the content watched by people who own a computer but no television set. But officials charged with enforcing the TV licensing policy say they have ways to catch moochers. All of which means that we probably won't be tuning into BBC1 over the internet in the US any time soon.

thanks Omar!

Tags: bbc, bbc-one, britain, internet-video, television, tv, UK

Filed under: News, Blogging, iPhone

BBC's iPlayer DRM scheme cracked again

by Simon Kerbel Mar 14th 2008

BBC, DRM, and the iPhone: it doesn't sound very steamy. But things are definitely heating up in regards to the BBC and DRM.

The release of BBC's new iPlayer brought with it the typical suffocating DRM restrictions, with the typical amount of outrage in the blogosphere.

However, when the BBC released the new beta iPlayer software that allowed users to view BBC streams on their iPhone, the streams made for the iPhone didn't didn't include any DRM.

Certain intrepid programmers and users were quick to jump on the fact that the iPhone streams were unencrypted. One user was able to use a PC to watch the unencrypted streams by using the Firefox plugin Fast Agent Switcher to convince the iPlayer that it was an iPhone. Developer Paul Battley released a Ruby script to download the iPhone formatted files to your PC.

In response, the BBC iPlayer took countermeasures to block the streams from non-iPhone devices. Just yesterday, in fact.


Read more →

Tags: BBC, drm, iPhone, iPlayer

Filed under: Internet, Video, Apple

Rumor: BBC and Apple set to announce iTunes deal

by Brad Linder Feb 18th 2008

iTunes Doctor Who mockup
Apple and the BBC could announce details of a plan to distribute BBC content via iTunes as early as tomorrow. The Register is reporting that a "TV industry source" says the BBC's content distribution arm has been working with Apple on the deal.

The BBC already offers a way to watch TV shows that have aired in the last 7 days using its online iPlayer video service. But the iPlayer is only available to UK residents, who pay for BBC content with their taxes dollars.

It's not clear at the moment whether the iTunes downloads will be available outside of the UK or not. On the one hand, an international deal would represent a new revenue stream for the BBC. On the other hand, Apple charges almost twice as much money for TV show downloads in Britain than in the US.

The BBC press office decline to comment on the rumor.

Update: It looks like BBC content is now available at the UK iTunes store, but not the US store.

Tags: bbc, itunes, tv

Filed under: Fun, Games, Kids, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Freeware, Time-Wasters

Microlife - Time Waster

WindowsMacLinuxTime Wasterby Jason Clarke Feb 11th 2008

MicrolifeWe were surprised to find an interesting time waster on the BBC's website, of all places. Microlife doesn't fall neatly into a game category. Essentially you play God, and control the lives of tiny microlife, which are single-cell organisms that move around slowly.

You feed them, and can train them to become warriors to defend their nest, but you have to be careful to keep an eye on your funds. Each microlife goes through a life cycle, starting as an infant, moving through middle age where it spends the majority of its time (and lays eggs if you're lucky) then becomes elderly and ultimately dies. Illnesses can also befall your little critters, so ensuring that they stay healthy is also your responsibility.

In the early levels you get to try your hand at raising little microlife without having to worry about the evil Catchers, but later on these predators come looking for a snack, so you have to make sure to have Warriors trained up to fend them off.

Microlife is well designed to slowly introduce new game concepts as the levels progress, and keep you addicted. This time waster can eat up an hour easily, so consider yourself warned before you click. But you're going to anyway, aren't you? You know you are.

Tags: BBC, Microlife, time-waster, timewaster

BBC's iPlayer adds support for Firefox

by Jason Harris Feb 2nd 2008

iPlayer
Rumors have been swirling for months that the BBC was going to allow users of their iPlayer service to access the popular player on a computer or platform other than Internet Explorer for Windows. Well today British citizens are part way there as the BBC has announced their support for the Firefox browser. Mac and Linux fans are out of luck as iPlayer still demands Windows, only now you can view iPlayer content in the alternative Firefox Browser.

The popular iPlayer is a service that acts as an on-demand viewer of BBC content. Similar in functionality to a web based TiVo. The BBC is very happy with this new development and proclaimed, "It's good because it's the first real non-Microsoft thing we've been able to do with the download iPlayer".

What's the hold up with bringing iPlayer to Mac and Linux? None other than our old favorite acronym DRM. BBC's iPlayer relies upon Windows Media Player and it's related DRM to enforce the BBC's viewing policies.

Are there any Brits who have used iPlayer? What are your thoughts on the service? Please share in the comments.

[via Afterdawn]

Tags: bbc, drm, iplayer

Filed under: Internet, Video, Hardware

BBC iPlayer could be coming to Apple TV

by Brad Linder Jan 17th 2008

iPlayer
Sure the BBC's iPlayer service is great if you want to catch up on TV shows you've missed, live in the UK, don't mind DRM, and like watching TV on your PC. But what if you want to watch TV on, you know, your TV?

BBC Future Media and Technology Director Ashley Highfield writes on his blog that the BBC is looking into ways to bring iPlayer content to set top boxes. He says he's particularly encouraged by Apple's announcement that you can now download online video directly to the Apple TV instead of relying on a PC. Although nothing is anywhere near concrete yes, we think it's safe to say that means the BBC will be in touch with Apple about adding its software to the box.

If this collaboration actually happens, we're pretty sure it will be available for free to UK viewers. We can only hope that the BBC decides to let users outside of the UK access the same content for a fee. Highfield indicates that the company is already looking into other methods to get iPlayer on the TV including the Xbox 360 and Neuros OSD.

[via last100]

Tags: bbc, iplayer, neuro-osd, online-video

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services

BBC iPlayer moves to the web to support Mac and Linux

by Brad Linder Oct 16th 2007

BBC iPlayer
This summer the BBC launched its innovative iPlayer software. The service lets you watch selected shows that've aired on the BBC over the last seven days you:
  1. Are running Windows XP
  2. Are using Internet Explorer
  3. Use Windows Media Player
  4. Live in the UK
The service drew protests from folks complaining that the BBC was including DRM in the videos and that Mac and Linux users were left out in the cold.
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 The IT Crowd Robin Hood without resorting to illegal BitTorrent downloads.

Tags: bbc, iplayer, online-video, streaming-video

Filed under: Audio, Business, Internet, Video

BBC iPlayer wreaking havoc on ISPs

by Chris Gilmer Aug 15th 2007

bbc iplayer wreaking havoc on ispNevermind all that DRM stuff that we talked to the FSF about, the iPlayer is causing all sorts of other trouble for ISPs. The player, built for viewing and downloading popular television shows onto computers through the special application is taking a toll on the ISPs bandwidth. So much so that they are looking for compensation from the BBC, threatening to initiate traffic shaping that would slow down service and render the player unusable if they don't pay up.

The BBC iPlayer is supposedly seen as 30 times as bandwidth heavy compared to other video players like YouTube. These ISPs might not realize what's in store for the internet as even more services and larger content moves online, they might have to buckle sooner rather than later and spend the $2 billion necessary to upgrade networks before things really get out of control.

[via usatoday]

Tags: audio, bbc, bbc iplayer, BbcIplayer, iplayer, isp, video

Filed under: Video, Features, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Web services, Microsoft, Open Source, DLS Interviews, DLS Podcast, Podcasts

DLS Interview: Free Software Foundation's Peter Brown

WindowsMacLinuxby Nik Fletcher Aug 15th 2007



As we mentioned on Monday, the Free Software Foundation's Defective by Design campaign against DRM paid the U.K. a visit yesterday with protests outside the BBC's London and Manchester locations against the use of Microsoft DRM technology in their highly debated iPlayer software.

The BBC iPlayer has been in development for a number of years now, costing the BBC public £130 million (nearly $260 million) to date. The use of Microsoft's DRM technology has been highly contentious, especially with the appointment of Erik Huggers (previously director of Microsoft's Windows Digital Media division whose technology the BBC now employs in their iPlayer software) as controller of the BBC's future media and technology group which is managing the iPlayer project.

The BBC is a publicly funded body, governed by the BBC Trust who protect, amongst other things, open access and independence form corporate influence. The BBC has been told to make the player platform independent, however Mac and Linux users are likely to be out in the cold for some time.

Download Squad decided to visit the protest and spoke to Peter Brown, Executive Director of the Free Software Foundation, about the reasoning behind the protests and what the campaigns hopes for the future. We've made the interview available either as a text transcript after the break, or via the Download Squad podcast feed.

Download the Podcast
 Podcast Links

Gallery: Defective by Design, London: Protest Pictures

  • Outside BBC TV Centre
  • Peter Brown, Executive Director of the Free Software Foundation

Read more →

Tags: BBC, BBC iPlayer, drm, foss, free and open source software, FreeAndOpenSourceSoftware, video on demand, VideoOnDemand

Filed under: Video, Web services, Apple, Microsoft

DefectiveByDesign: London and Manchester Calling

by Nik Fletcher Aug 13th 2007

British readers be warned: the Free Software Foundation's Defective by Design campaign is coming to our side of the pond tomorrow in protest at the BBC's decision to make extensive use of DRM (and in particular MIcrosoft's DRM) in their beta iPlayer software. For those who are unaware of the iPlayer, the BBC is making its programmes available for 'catch-up' via the iPlayer - albeit only for 7 days after download.

The issue is certainly an interesting (and contentious) one, particularly as the BBC is a publicly-funded body so has to make the iPlayer platform neutral at some point in the future, and will only allow U.K. IP addresses access to the content. The protests are outside the BBC's London and Manchester studios tomorrow (Tuesday 14th August), with Download Squad paying the London gathering a visit.

Tags: BBC, Digital Rights Management, DigitalRightsManagement, DRM, FSF, Windows Media, WindowsMedia

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