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BBC online video service launches BBC online video service launches
(about 4 hours later)
The BBC's flagship online TV service is being launched, offering viewers the chance to download their favourite programmes from the last seven days.The BBC's flagship online TV service is being launched, offering viewers the chance to download their favourite programmes from the last seven days.
For director general Mark Thompson, the launch of iPlayer is as big a milestone as the arrival of colour TV.For director general Mark Thompson, the launch of iPlayer is as big a milestone as the arrival of colour TV.
But others have questioned how technically reliable it will be and whether it is late to a crowded market.But others have questioned how technically reliable it will be and whether it is late to a crowded market.
At launch, a fixed number of people will be able to sign up, with the numbers increasing throughout the year.At launch, a fixed number of people will be able to sign up, with the numbers increasing throughout the year.
Programme selectionProgramme selection
BBC iPLAYER iPlayer will allow viewers to catch up on TV programmes for seven daysSome TV series can be downloaded and stored for 30 daysViewers will be able to watch shows streamed live over the internetUsers cannot download programmes from other broadcastersClassical recordings and book-readings are excluded from iPlayer Who else offers TV on-demand? Video download players comparedBBC iPLAYER iPlayer will allow viewers to catch up on TV programmes for seven daysSome TV series can be downloaded and stored for 30 daysViewers will be able to watch shows streamed live over the internetUsers cannot download programmes from other broadcastersClassical recordings and book-readings are excluded from iPlayer Who else offers TV on-demand? Video download players compared
The iPlayer allows viewers to download a selection of programmes from the last seven days and watch them for up to 30 days afterwards.The iPlayer allows viewers to download a selection of programmes from the last seven days and watch them for up to 30 days afterwards.
In the UK, Channel 4 offers a similar service, called 4OD, for programmes across its portfolio of channels.In the UK, Channel 4 offers a similar service, called 4OD, for programmes across its portfolio of channels.
Viewers interested in the iPlayer can register for the service on Friday and will then be invited to join. The number of users will increase over the summer, before a full launch in the autumn.Viewers interested in the iPlayer can register for the service on Friday and will then be invited to join. The number of users will increase over the summer, before a full launch in the autumn.
The iPlayer began life in 2003 as the iMP (Integrated Media Player), and some believe it should have been launched in that format.The iPlayer began life in 2003 as the iMP (Integrated Media Player), and some believe it should have been launched in that format.
"At the time, it was remarkably innovative. For the BBC to use peer-to-peer technology was revolutionary," said Simon Perry, editor of online magazine Digital Lifestyles."At the time, it was remarkably innovative. For the BBC to use peer-to-peer technology was revolutionary," said Simon Perry, editor of online magazine Digital Lifestyles.
"If it had just launched it then it could have blown the whole broadcast world away. It could have become the UK's own YouTube," he said."If it had just launched it then it could have blown the whole broadcast world away. It could have become the UK's own YouTube," he said.
Instead YouTube has driven a whole generation away from TV altogether, to get their entertainment and news from social networks, he added.Instead YouTube has driven a whole generation away from TV altogether, to get their entertainment and news from social networks, he added.
A BBC spokeswoman said the launch had been delayed while the project went through a Public Value Test (PVT), ordered by the corporation's regulators.A BBC spokeswoman said the launch had been delayed while the project went through a Public Value Test (PVT), ordered by the corporation's regulators.
She said: "There is always going to be a trade-off between rigour and speed in a regulatory process like this.She said: "There is always going to be a trade-off between rigour and speed in a regulatory process like this.
"The rigour of the PVT has actually forced us to scrutinise every aspect of the service, from design to value for money.""The rigour of the PVT has actually forced us to scrutinise every aspect of the service, from design to value for money."
ControversyControversy
Arash Amel, an analyst with research firm Screen Digest, said "technical glitches" were inevitable when iPlayer launched, partly because rival applications experienced them and partly through his own experience of the BBC's offering.Arash Amel, an analyst with research firm Screen Digest, said "technical glitches" were inevitable when iPlayer launched, partly because rival applications experienced them and partly through his own experience of the BBC's offering.
Channel 4's 4OD launched earlier this yearChannel 4's 4OD launched earlier this year
"I have supposedly been on the trial for the last two weeks but there has just been technical fault after technical fault," he told the BBC News website."I have supposedly been on the trial for the last two weeks but there has just been technical fault after technical fault," he told the BBC News website.
The iPlayer has already courted controversy from open source advocates, angry that, at launch, it will only be compatible on PCs with the Windows XP operating system.The iPlayer has already courted controversy from open source advocates, angry that, at launch, it will only be compatible on PCs with the Windows XP operating system.
Other services such as ITV's broadband media player and Channel 4's on-demand offering also rely on Microsoft software but, critics argue, the BBC's remit is to serve licence-payers, which includes Mac users and those who favour cheaper alternatives to Microsoft, such as Linux.Other services such as ITV's broadband media player and Channel 4's on-demand offering also rely on Microsoft software but, critics argue, the BBC's remit is to serve licence-payers, which includes Mac users and those who favour cheaper alternatives to Microsoft, such as Linux.
The BBC Trust has told the corporation it must widen the access to iPlayer as soon as possible and has ordered a review every six months.The BBC Trust has told the corporation it must widen the access to iPlayer as soon as possible and has ordered a review every six months.
The trust met with Mark Taylor, the head of the Open Source Consortium and one of the more vocal critics of the Microsoft-only launch, earlier this week.The trust met with Mark Taylor, the head of the Open Source Consortium and one of the more vocal critics of the Microsoft-only launch, earlier this week.
"They reiterated their commitment to platform neutrality, specifically mentioning Linux, and welcomed our offer of help to establish a cross-platform approach," Mr Taylor said."They reiterated their commitment to platform neutrality, specifically mentioning Linux, and welcomed our offer of help to establish a cross-platform approach," Mr Taylor said.
The OSC is due to meet BBC management to discuss the issue further.The OSC is due to meet BBC management to discuss the issue further.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Operating system: Windows XP SP2Browser: Internet explorer 6.0 or above Media Player: Windows Media Player 10 or aboveNet connection: Broadband EC threat to BBC downloads iPlayer Managing Editor's demo SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Operating system: Windows XP SP2Browser: Internet explorer 6.0 or above Media Player: Windows Media Player 10 or aboveNet connection: Broadband EC threat to BBC downloads iPlayer managing editor's demo
According to Screen Digest data, online TV services are set to explode in the UK. In 2006 it estimates that 520.2 million pieces of content were streamed, of which the vast majority were free-to-view.According to Screen Digest data, online TV services are set to explode in the UK. In 2006 it estimates that 520.2 million pieces of content were streamed, of which the vast majority were free-to-view.
It forecasts this will leap to 2.3 billion by 2011.It forecasts this will leap to 2.3 billion by 2011.
The BBC currently dominates the free-to-view content market with 80% of clips originating from the corporation, according to Screen Digest. This will fall to about 62% by 2011, as video content becomes more widely available from alternative sources such as Sky.The BBC currently dominates the free-to-view content market with 80% of clips originating from the corporation, according to Screen Digest. This will fall to about 62% by 2011, as video content becomes more widely available from alternative sources such as Sky.
Mr Amel thinks there is a more general problem with the way the BBC and its rivals have decided to make content available.Mr Amel thinks there is a more general problem with the way the BBC and its rivals have decided to make content available.
"Having to download a separate application for each service is a big problem and is a bit like having to buy a set-top box for every channel you want to watch. If you download all the applications that are available then that is using a lot of processing power," he said."Having to download a separate application for each service is a big problem and is a bit like having to buy a set-top box for every channel you want to watch. If you download all the applications that are available then that is using a lot of processing power," he said.
He thinks providers might have been better to follow the model US networks have favoured where content is downloadable directly from their websites.He thinks providers might have been better to follow the model US networks have favoured where content is downloadable directly from their websites.
Content currently available on PCs would also need to migrate to the TV, he said. Freeview boxes with internet connections are coming on the market in the next six months and could go some way to solving this problem.Content currently available on PCs would also need to migrate to the TV, he said. Freeview boxes with internet connections are coming on the market in the next six months and could go some way to solving this problem.
"The real holy grail in the UK is one platform, like the iPlayer, that brings all the content in one location - a kind of Freeview concept for downloads," he said."The real holy grail in the UK is one platform, like the iPlayer, that brings all the content in one location - a kind of Freeview concept for downloads," he said.
The BBC has said it is working with Virgin Media to launch on cable later this year.The BBC has said it is working with Virgin Media to launch on cable later this year.