Someday Soon…
June 25th, 2008 by Jeremyall television will look like this. The new iPlayer service from the BBC launches shortly. It contains an extensive menu of TV and radio programming that can be viewed online shortly after its scheduled airing on TV. You can explore the 1.0 version here. This is the best example yet of the shift away from ‘by appointment’ to ‘on demand’ television.
The BBC can afford to be much more aggressive in its approach to web-based TV because of its unique funding arrangement in the UK. Unlike US networks, the BBC is funded by a mandatory consumer tax, not by revenue generated from advertising.
Consequently we can expect the BBC to be out in front of a trend that will likely change “long-form and episodic” video content viewing forever over the next few years. Just don’t expect to be able to view the BBCs treasure trove of content here in the States. Unfortunately the service is limited to the UK (at least for now).
Update: All content wants to be free — even the Beeb’s!!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Perhaps if we pay the annual BBC ‘licensing’ fee, we’ll be able to subscribe to it.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I’m sure Mr Brown would be delighted to take your money
June 27th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Just don’t hold your breath expecting to get anything for it though - actually that’s the story of British public services
June 28th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I never thought the lack of advertising on BBC was worth all the licensing dilemmas. Right now they could be making money off ex-patriots like me who still enjoy their shows, but instead I have to resort to my good friend Mr B. Torrent.