“The BBC Trust has given the go-ahead to the corporation’s iPlayer on-demand service, but with a number of changes including some proposed by media watchdog Ofcom,” MarketingWeek reports.
MarketingWeek reports, “Diane Coyle, the BBC Trust member who chairs the public value test steering group, says: ‘Our view is that the BBC’s new on-demand services are likely to deliver significant public value, and should be allowed to proceed, but subject to certain conditions in order to reduce the potential negative market impact.'”
“BBC management has been asked to ensure that the on-demand TV services work on all computer operating systems, not just Microsoft’s Windows XP and Windows Media Player 10,” MarketingWeek reports.
MarketingWeek reports, “The Trust’s proposals will go to further consultation, with a March 28 deadline for submissions. A final decision is expected in May.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “John D.” for the heads up.]
Bravo! Now, let’s see if they actually do it.
Take part in the public consultation (takes about 5-minutes): http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/open-consultations/ondemand_services.html
[UPDATED: February 1, 2007: 8:45am.]
Don’t hold your breath.
I agree, ron. Nothing about the “Beeb” or England as a whole is Mac friendly. After all, Apple represents individual choice and the freedom to “think different.” Microsoft represents “think just the same as everybody else,” a philosophy with which Englanders have always been comfortable. Remember, “The Communist Manifesto,” “Brave New World” and “1984” were written for citizens of the Sceptered Isle, not–NOT–those of the New World.
The BBC Trust will NEVER assent to Mac-inclusion. NEVER.
if ofcom have requested it, they’ll have to do it, by law as far as I know… otherwise, they’ll have to start doing without my license fee – I already resent funding “Dancing on Ice”.
They should make them available on the UK iTunes store for free, much cheaper than their expensive to be built MS option.
After all, British tax payers paid for every minute of it and more…(the plan is content self destructs 30 days after downloading)
“services work on all computer operating systems”
The way it should have been from the get go-why alienate or exclude anyone?
The BBC sucks, and everyone knows it. They’ve always been very anti-Mac. This will be a first if they actually do it.
The Norwegian Ombudsman’s head just exploded.
“Too . .many . . conflicting . . messages. Must . . assimilate.”
However Linux and Mac use may not come into effect until 24 months prior to the service launching. See page 11
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review-report-research/pvt_iplayer/iplayer_pvt_provisional_conclusions.pdf
And they are talking about using Real player in additon to Windows Media Player!!!
I and I expect many other Mac users would prefer the shows to be available through iTunes or at least Quicktime. Although not sure how this would work as BBC shows would need to be free to UK users whilst limiting storage to 7 days (or what ever they decide).
The way it should have been from the get go-why alienate or exclude anyone?
The answer is that the bbc have cut deals with certain companies to supply equipment, the link to all these companies is microsoft
The BBC have been nti mac for a long time and the bias can be seen in their so called computer show on BBC News ‘click’
I get fed up of having how innovative MS are and how Vista is the most secure OS ever released by anyone
MW: Audience as why cater to all of them
BBC = Commie-Terrorist Lovers
On Microsoft, see this great quote from the BBC’s website about Vista security:
“The more useable and convenient you make it, especially for non-technical people, the more risk there is that there is a chink in the armour,”
Mr Emm just can’t have heard of Mac OSX
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6316253.stm
reezle: you didn’t fund Dancing on Ice – that was shown on ITV, a commercial channel, and was nothing to do with the BBC.
“Englanders”
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”LOL” style=”border:0;” /> I like it.
If the dread BBC actually does a pro-Mac thing I’ll be surprised, but (as license-tax payer) very pleased.
Why can’t Auntie just stick progs on iTunes which has x-platform compatibility already??
I’ve emailed the BBC’s iPlayer team about this in the past, and have received similar replies that other UK broadcasters who deliver content over the web provide.
Love to do it. Rights holders demand DRM. Only DRM scheme on Mac is FairPlay. Apple do not license FairPlay.
On the one hand, it’s nice if they do include support for the Mac. On the other hand, who gives crap?
You know, I’m against legislating personal choices, but I’m not against legislation or corporate mandates that ensure that we even have choices. I wonder if any of us stops to think about just how close we’ve come to completely losing our choice to NOT use Windows. It’s just plain scary.
Bingo mudflapper. I can find all the antisemitic content I can stomach without having to resort to visiting the BBC’s website.
MDN MW:”Trying”
I’m trying to find a reason why I should give two craps what the BBC does.
Randian are you for real?
In case you are:
Judging by the growing Mac use I see here in England and the growing number of Apple Stores I think we’re more than comfortable with Macs.
Btw maybe you mean Britain not England as England is part of the island of Great Britain. I’m guessing you’re American Judging by your ignorance. As for us not being prepared to think different, I suppose that’s why we seem to lead the world when it comes to inventions and design etc which tend to require people to think different.
And for the other thickos out there, no the BBC is not anti Mac, they even make use of Macs and people who work for them aren’t afraid to say they use Macs. Some people just need to get a life and stop being so paranoid. The BBC are the most respected news service out there and the site keeps winning various best news website awards but some people just throw a fit when they deem something to be anti Mac or even anti American.
Having said that, the BBC clearly need to make the service mac compatible, but they are a bit hampered when MS don’t make the DRM for Mac and Apple doesn’t license its own DRM. Channel 4 is in the same position with its download service but they tell me they want to make it available for Mac users and will just as soon as someone provides a solution. Maybe that will come from Apple and not MS.
Andy
English, British and a Mac fan who is not paranoid.
Max: “The BBC are the most respected news service out there…”
Out where? Respected by whom? That’s a wonderfully clever blanket statement that’s empty of any kind of substance. You’re obviously not an ignorant American, Andy. You’re an ignorant Brit. Besides the funny accent, what’s the difference?
“I’ve emailed the BBC’s iPlayer team about this in the past, and have received similar replies that other UK broadcasters who deliver content over the web provide.
Love to do it. Rights holders demand DRM. Only DRM scheme on Mac is FairPlay. Apple do not license FairPlay.”
You’re forgetting RealNetworks’ Helix DRM scheme, which is compatible with Mac, Linux, Windows and Solaris. So noone can complain really. Sure it’s not as good as Quicktime/iTunes, but until Apple license FairPlay (which they won’t) it’s the best bet for video-on-demand on the Mac.
This is what they’ve suggested in the report. So long as the RealPlayer solution is as feature-rich as the WMV one then I’ll be happy-ish, but maybe the BBC should negotiate with DVD Jon over licensing FairPlay?
“Out where? Respected by whom? That’s a wonderfully clever blanket statement that’s empty of any kind of substance. You’re obviously not an ignorant American, Andy. You’re an ignorant Brit. Besides the funny accent, what’s the difference?”
Name a more respected news source.
That’s no challenge, pog. Here a challenge: Name a respected news source.
Way to dodge the question. My answer to your question: The BBC.
@ Randian ; Feelin a bit dizzy ? You should think twice before you post drivel…
= )
No, reallly, you should.