The BBC has launched a new version of its broadband video
player/catch-up service, the BBC iPlayer. Among other things, the new
version integrates TV and radio in a single interface, which the BBC
bills as allowing smoother and easier navigation between TV and radio
programs. In addition, end-users can now choose between listening to
BBC Radio shows from the past seven weeks, with what the BBC
claims is better sound quality, or listening to live BBC radio
broadcasts; and the player also offers a pop-out widget that lets users
listen as they browse other Web pages.
Other new features include "Last Played," which allows users to
resume watching programs at the point they left off (the BBC says that
this feature marks "the beginning of a shift towards personalization");
combined TV and radio categories (such as "Comedy and Drama"); a
larger playback screen for TV content; and a TV schedule that allows
users to plan their viewing over the coming days (note: these features
sit alongside the existing "More Like This" function, which
recommends other programs users may like). "The next generation of
BBC iPlayer allows UK license fee payers to catch up on their favorite
BBC TV and radio programs in one place--a completely unique
on-demand service," Erik Huggers, the newly appointed director of the
BBC's Future Media & Technology division, said in a prepared
statement. "Audiences are now able to experience the full range of
BBC content---some 250 TV programs currently available each week
as well as all the BBC radio networks--in a new and more accessible
way, and all for free. On-demand radio from the BBC has been a
phenomenal success since it was first launched in 2002, with around
600 million hours listened to via streaming or the 'listen again' function.
The full integration with iPlayer is a natural evolution for the audio
service and an exciting step for audiences."
According to the BBC, the iPlayer has generated over 100 million
requests to view programs since its launch last Christmas. The
Corporation claims that in May alone, it generated 21.8 million
requests to view--i.e. an average of around 700,000 per day.
In related news: The BBC is looking to add "pre-booking" functionality
to the iPlayer--i.e. to make it possible for end-users to schedule
downloads of programs that have not yet become available on the
service (note: while program files could be downloaded in advance of a
program's broadcast, they would not be viewable until after the
broadcast). The feature has first to be approved by the BBC Trust,
which is currently seeking feedback from the industry and the public.
