iPlayer posts

Filed under: Video

BBC working on global video-on-demand software

by Brad Linder Oct 7th 2009

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

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

by 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: Video, Windows Mobile

How to watch the BBC iPlayer using Windows Mobile (HTC Touch Diamond only)

by Brad Linder Jan 29th 2009

The BBC iPlayer service allows UK residents to watch full length episodes of recently broadcast BBC programs using a computer or an iPhone. But there's no official client for Windows Mobile. Of course, that hasn't stopped the hackers at XDA-Developers from figuring out how to make the iPhone interface work on Windows Mobile.

There are a few things to keep in mind with this hack. First, iPlayer content is only available to folks living in the UK or people who happen to know a good proxy server that will trick the software into thinking you're in the UK. Second, the application only works witht he HTC Diamond right now, although support for other Windows Mobile devices could be added later.

Finally, you'll need to have a copy of the commercial application CorePlayer installed on your device and associated with MOV files, because it's the only Windows Mobile media player that can handle videos using H.264 and AAC.

If you're cool with all of those requirements, then all you need to do is download and install the iPlayer app for Windows Mobile in order to search, browser, download, and watch iPlayer videos on your HTC Touch Diamond.

Tags: htc-touch-diamond, iplayer, windows-mobile, xda-developers

Filed under: Macintosh, Apple

BBC set to introduce iPlayer for Mac 'later this month'

by Nik Fletcher Nov 11th 2008

In an interview with Om Malik, the BBC has revealed that an OS X version of its much-debated iPlayer TV catch-up service is due to debut later this month. Whilst the iPlayer service has offered an online-streaming version of the service for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux since Christmas Day last year, the service's download-and-watch feature has been strictly reserved for Windows users.

Earlier in the year, the iPhone (and iPod touch) both got a sprinkling of iPlayer goodness through the streaming service, however today's announcement is the first major expansion of the download service to another desktop platform: something the BBC has to do in its role as a publicly funded, 'accessible to all', broadcaster.

There's few other details to the announcement - particularly with regards to how the BBC is going to deliver its media to Mac users - but as soon as the iPlayer for Mac touches down we'll let you know.

Tags: BBC-iPlayer, iPlayer

Filed under: Video, Web services, Beta

BBC iPlayer 2.0 arrives in beta

by Nik Fletcher Jun 26th 2008

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: 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.

Tags: BBC, drm, iPhone, iPlayer

BBC's iPlayer adds support for Firefox

by Jason Harris Feb 2nd 2008

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

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

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:

Are running Windows XP
Are using Internet Explorer
Use Windows Media Player
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

Nevermind 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, Web services

BBC gets approval for "catch up TV"

by Brad Linder May 1st 2007

The BBC Trust has approved a proposed video-on-demand service for BBC viewers. The announcement follows a public test of the BBC's new iPlayer service.

So what the heck is an iPlayer? Basically it's a service that offers BBC viewers online access to every television episode that has run on the state-regulated network over the past week, commercial-free.

10,500 viewers and organizations offered comments during the test period. I'm guessing most of the comments were positive.

No word yet on when the service will roll out. The BBC press release says it "will be announced in due course," which sounds so much nicer than "it'll be ready when it's ready."

[via NewTeeVee]

Tags: bbc, iplayer, video on demand, VideoOnDemand, vod

Filed under: Business, Internet, Video, Web services

BBC iPlayer program downloads

by Chris Gilmer Feb 1st 2007

Look out for some BBC shows like Doctor Who to be available for download through BBC on demand. This new program will also users to watch or download popular television shows on their computers through a special application. The shows will be available up to a week after their initial airing. After this initial launch, the BBC will be releasing a desktop application called iPlayer which allows users to download and watch programs from seven days prior. When downloaded through the iPlayer, a program will be available for 30 days for viewing on computers. There is also talk about keeping episodes stacked, whereby users will be able to watch them up to a week after they originally air. Parental controls are also being researched and are to be worked into the plan.

Tags: bbc, iplayer, player, programs, shows, television, video

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