BBC iPlayer goes International

Content will vary, some pay, some advertiser funded, some free...

BBC to launch iPlayer streamed video worldwide

The BBC has confirmed that it is to launch its iPlayer streaming video service internationally - and possibly for free.

BBC iPlayer - which is superb, by the way - allows viewers to watch live BBC television, listen to the radio and catch up on the last seven days' programming for all ten TV channels and a dozen radio channels. Currently, only some radio content is available internationally - and with the World Service losing its government funding, some observers are fearful for its future.

Because the BBC is funded by license payments rather than advertising, iPlayer has in the past been limited to UK IP addresses. But the BBC Trust has now given approval for the service to be rolled out internationally, bringing succor and Gardeners World to ex-pats across the globe.

more….

WWW.TGDAILY.COM/GAMES-AND-ENTERTAINMENT-FEATURES
09-Nov-2010 @ 13:08

When the official press release is available will add

About time.

For free?

So the UK Licence Fee payer can subsidise Dwayne in Connecticut to watch BBC programmes that people in the UK have to pay for or otherwise face a criminal record?

Don't be so Daily Mail about it, it could mean one of many things.

The App (as it's been suggested there'll be an iPad app) might be free with micropayments, or there might be a selection of free shows to tempt users into paying for others.

Indeed further down it says


So "free" might actually mean "free, but with loadsa ads"

It's a careless word on an American site based upon reports that have skant details. So I suggest you stop clutching your pearls unless you wish to look foolish.

Read the article linked.... it clearly states that either advertising or PPV is to be used, and speculates on a subscription model being made available in addition.

More detail was given at a conference today by the BBC DG Mark Thompson. The new player will cost under $10 per month and will definately launch this year ....


conference report from….

WWW.GUARDIAN.CO.UK/MEDIA
02-Mar-2011 @ 12:05

So they have gone with a Netflix or Hulu Plus model, instead of the Hulu model!

For free? No. BBC Worldwide will fund it with ads, as they do on BBC World and the BBC Worldwide channels.

more details today ....

BBC iPlayer global launch to begin in western Europe

Western Europe to be first to get BBC iPlayer, on the iPad, for a monthly subscription of less than £6

Doctor Who and Fawlty Towers will be made available to Europeans armed with an iPad from later this year, as the BBC begins the process of introducing its international iPlayer to overseas audiences.

Diehard BBC fans living in western Europe will have to pay somewhere under $10 (£6) a month – the fee is still to be decided – in return for a mix of contemporary and archive content on the Apple tablet, all of which will be in English.


more ……..

WWW.GUARDIAN.CO.UK/MEDIA
14-Jun-2011 @ 10:25

I'll be honest - I think the fee is good value, and I'd probably pay it. Obviously, at a glance, it's better than the licence fee but the licence offers far more options and content for viewing - though I still think this pretty good value, considering how much I use it personally.

Wonder when we'll get archive content on the domestic version.

£6 a month is about the price you pay for a UK proxy, so pretty much good value.
EDIT: Except its just the BBC only