BBC Three

Yeah, I thought iPlayer downloads had an expiry date and copy protection?

iPlayer available on connected TV + DVD recording of TV feed = pirated copy of Family Guy

The BBC have to be platform neutral with regards to catchup services. Therefore, there is available an unencrypted, 720p MP4 file on the iplayer servers that is VERY easy to download to keep. This can then be shared with no quality loss, and with only a small dog. Other broadcasters don't have the platform neutrality aspect of PSB to worry about, so can encrypt and protect to their hearts content.

But he can TALK! Give him some credit

(Sorry...)

I suppose the BBC has to at least try to mollify Fox, but it's not like episodes of Family Guy aren't already easily available (aarrrr), in HD, a few hours after US broadcast, and arguably more easily than downloading from iPlayer.

I wouldn't agree that for the normal person it is easy to download them off the kind of site you suggest. It's much easier for someone to Google 'iPlayer downloader' and then just rip a nice clean copy of the show from iPlayer, than it is to know what a torrent is, find a torrent site, figure out how torrents work, download a torrent program, and wait for the torrent to work (if it actually does work).

Granted, a lot of people already know how to do it, but I think for the vast majority they will prefer the convenience of an iPlayer download to risking a torrent (not to mention that torrent sites are increasingly being blocked), especially when an iPlayer download would be the easier option.

People Just Do Nothing has been recommissioned for a second series. No mention if it'll be on BBC Three or BBC Two.

http://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/000001653/people_just_do_nothing_series_2/

Since it premiered on iPlayer first, it'll almost certainly be a Three show whether the scheduled channel is still around or not.

Nothing to do with that, it comes down to a simple cost-benefit analysis. For example if a movie studio demanded the use of a DRM platform that would cost millions to roll out, and the same again in ongoing costs, but the BBC only showed 5 of their films a year then spending the money can't be justified.

On the other hand if your were a streaming service offering the same studio's back catalogue of hundreds/thousands of films then the economics are somewhat different.

The BBC also have significantly more clout than many other broadcasters because they are commercially important as they have large audiences, and are the dominant broadcaster in the UK (with the most-watched channel)...

The BBC also have a policy of avoiding, where possible, proprietary technical solutions, and instead try to embrace open standards.

The proposals have now been unveiled, subject to approval by the BBC Trust...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30409171

At this point, do the public not have any more say? I'd like to register my thoughts with the BBC on this. I thought this was still subject to a public consultation?