NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] BBC are planning to launch a global iPlayer
----- Forwarded message from David Farber <dave@farber.net> ----- Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:32:16 -0400 From: David Farber <dave@farber.net> Subject: [IP] BBC are planning to launch a global iPlayer Reply-To: dave@farber.net To: ip <ip@v2.listbox.com> 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 ----- End forwarded message -----