bit-tech.net

BBC's download service gets green light

Published on 1st February 2007 by Brett Thomas

It looks like soon you'll be able to download BBC content on demand. But is it what you hoped?

It wasn't long ago that we were reporting on the BBC turning to torrents for worldwide distribution. Many people had an opinion of it then, which leads me to believe many of you will have an opinion on this bit of news. The BBC Trust, which is barely a month old, has already approved plans for a BBC video download service.

The new plan differs from the torrent plan in a few respects. First of all, it will use a special player, known as iPlayer (no relation to Apple), designed specifically for the content. There is also no word on whether the service will actually be fee-based, instead possibly being limited only to BBC license holders. This would be a very large change, as many people argued that torrents for people who don't pay the license fees should be more expensive than for those who do.

The most important difference from the torrent setup, however, is that the downloads will be time-sensitive. Shows will be invalid within 30 days after download or one week from being watched, and can only be downloaded within a week from their air dates. There will be some exceptions to this rule, but details for which shows would count differently have not yet emerged. Chris Woolard, the head of finance for the Trust, explained the time window: "If [viewers] don't look at it within 48 hours, they don't watch it at all," he said.

Personally, as a frequent user of an MCE setup, I'm inclined to disagree with this assessment. In my house, it's not uncommon for something to sit on the back burner for two or three weeks. However, I'm sure he probably has the statistics to back up his assertion for the average viewer.

There are still some kinks to be ironed out in the system, such as how parental control will work and which shows will qualify for series stacking. In order to hear out public opinion on these issues and the proposal at large, it has commissioned a two-month public consultation. After that, the Trust will finalise its approval of the service.

Have you got a thought on the BBC's new plans? Tell us your thoughts in our forums.

16 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

TX297 1st February 2007, 09:43

I, for one, will be looking forward to this, especially since BBC America has turned into nothing but Changing Rooms and Cash in the Attic reruns. My parents miss Eastenders too.

mclean007 1st February 2007, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX297
I, for one, will be looking forward to this, especially since BBC America has turned into nothing but Changing Rooms and Cash in the Attic reruns. My parents miss Eastenders too.

Unfortunately you might be stuffed if they restrict it to licence holders and perform IP filtering so even those with a valid licence can only use the service from within the UK.

Paradigm Shifter 1st February 2007, 10:30

Still no news on the back-catalogue downloads? :(

I have no desire to have time-limited copies of the various shows I like. I'd like to be able to get more than seasons 1-4 of 'Last of the Summer Wine', because "PlayBack" only got the rights to seasons 1-4.

While it's very lovely to get all the latest BBC shows, it's the old ones I want! :(

Springs 1st February 2007, 11:15

i like the service... means i can see all the cool shows from the past.. one thing i dont like the the time limit.... i have programs stored on sky+ that i recorded some time ago but dont always have time to watch them... especially "48 hours" after they have been recorded...

Phil Rhodes 1st February 2007, 12:31

Hi,

Oh yes, fantastic, I'll pay lots and lots of money to download encoded, encrypted, DRM'd copies of material I can record off air and which I need a special player to view.

Who on earth wouldn't just HTPC it if they were that desperate to watch Casualty?

Phil

sinizterguy 1st February 2007, 13:21

Dont care what they do as long they dont try to shove some half-baked retarded unwanted useless money-grubbing slimy mucus-covered licensing thing on computers with access to BBC as some people were discussing .... The TV license is already ridiculous.

Bladestorm 1st February 2007, 14:23

I cant see it taking off if they charge much at all for it to be honest, but if its free or really cheap, it might see occasional use when people miss an episode of something I guess.

DXR_13KE 1st February 2007, 14:47

hey.... it is a start.

Bursar 1st February 2007, 14:59

It's a shame. There was an article posted a couple of days ago that reads:

Quote:

BBC Ordered to Rethink IPTV Plan
Because the British public broadcaster's on-demand offerings could hurt rival commercial services, regulator Ofcom demands a revamp of its proposals
by Jo Best

Media watchdog Ofcom has demanded a rethink of the BBC's plans for an on-demand IPTV service, saying the launch could hurt rival commercial services.

The IPTV service, which could see BBC programmes airing simultaneously online and on terrestrial TV as well as providing viewers with the chance to catch up on programmes they have missed, may not be good for viewers, claims Ofcom.

It noted: "There is evidence that certain aspects of the proposals may have a negative effect on investment in similar commercial services which would not be in the long-term public interest."

A report by the watchdog into the service found that should the Beeb enter the IPTV market, it could account for 11 billion viewer and listener hours by 2011.

Despite predictions of its popularity, Ofcom believes such on-demand services could cause a drop off in DVD rentals and sales if viewers were able to 'stack' an array of programmes to watch later. The watchdog believes this part of Auntie's proposals should be dropped.

It also called for the BBC to shelve plans to make audio books and classical music available gratis, suggesting it would hurt the commercial market for such recordings.

Ofcom added it believes the amount of time viewers should be allowed to store previously shown programmes should be cut from the BBC's suggested 13 weeks to 14 days.

Even the nation's fat pipes could be affected by the proposals. The report said: "The cost of providing extra broadband capacity to deliver the BBC's proposed services to consumers is likely to be high, though any additional capacity would also be available for use by a wide range of other services including commercial on-demand services."

But it's not all doom and gloom. The regulator noted that on-demand will bring users new ways to access Auntie's offerings and could potentially boost the new media industry as whole.

Speaking on behalf of the BBCTrust, Diane Coyle, trustee and chair of the Public Value Test Steering Group, said in a statement: "Our decision will be based on an informed judgement of all the evidence, in the best interests of licence fee payers."

As well as taking into account Ofcom's opinions on IPTV, the Trust will produce a Public Value Assessment and then publish an interim decision for consultation before any service launch goes ahead.

So Ofcom are saying we can't have freely downloadable TV shows because it impacts on the sales of DVDs. Smacks to of large coporate types getting together and putting the pressure on Ofcom to make that decision.

Sh00ter 1st February 2007, 15:12

so they want me to pay AGAIN to watch something, and then only within 48 hours?

do they not realise that us licence payers (as far as im concerned) own these because WE payed for them to be made through the licence fee.

Tyinsar 1st February 2007, 16:04

Well, there goes that idea since I'm in Canada. I was hoping I could legally purchase downloads of shows (at a discount from DVDs) and burn them to my own DVDs.

plagio 1st February 2007, 18:02

iPlayer :D quicktime has lost his chance to change his name

Leitchy 1st February 2007, 22:37

I dont care about what the service is, aslong as it is included within my Tele license each month, I see it as an extra! The license fee is allready going up, so they can go and 'boil yer heed' if they think im paying even more

sinizterguy 2nd February 2007, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leitchy
I dont care about what the service is, aslong as it is included within my Tele license each month, I see it as an extra! The license fee is allready going up, so they can go and 'boil yer heed' if they think im paying even more

If they decide to increase it because of this, there is nothing you can do - except sell your TV and never watch it again ... Which you are not going to. So they have you over the barrel with your pants down around your ankle.

Lakeuk 2nd February 2007, 21:08

The licence fee won't increase for this, increases are locked down for the next charter period.

It's going to be run by BBC available to UK licence fee payers only, the only way the BBC would be able to charge for it is if it's owned and run by their commercial arm 'BBC Worldwide', but since the R&D and trail was paid for by UK licence payers that is not going to happen - maybe later on a commercial service maybe available for people outside the UK but I recone it'll only happen if it doesn't effect overseas sales of BBC programmes

I personally can see it being useful for want you're a work and a colleague mentions a programme they watched that you missed or didn't think to record.

SNIPERMikeUK 5th February 2007, 10:13

I for one pay a TV Licence that by the way goes up every year and still the BBC charge stupid amounts for their DVD box sets (take new doctor who for example). They are aired on tv u can record them with a hard drive recorder or other. If we are to be downloading good quality content we want to be able to keep it right? until we see fit to delete it....