BBC Prepares Video-on-Demand Service February 1, 2007 11:00 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in BBC, News, Television, Video Downloads.trackback
BBC has given the greenlight for their VOD service. The player has been approved by the BBC Trust
Television audiences will be able to watch the television shows online or download them for up to 30 days following their original broadcasts.
An interesting aspect of the ruling is that only programs that have a “distinct run, with a beginning and end, and a narrative arc, or those that are landmar series with exceptionally high impact.” will be allowed to be part of the service.
Final approval is expected by Spring.
Source: [Variety] — BBC greenlights VOD service
Your Entertainment Now 
The report on Variety falls short a bit..
The download window will be 7 days only from date of broadcast, and the shows will only be playable for just 30 days thereafter.
Only users of Microsoft Vista and XP will have access to the material – if you have an earlier version of Windows, or a Linux or Apple Mac you will be excluded for 2 years.
This means that the BBC have given Microsoft an exclusive 2 year period in which to builf up their presence in the new market of VoD (Video on Demand).
Not only are the BBC wasting UK licence payers money in this way, they aren’t even charging Microsoft for the privilege, a privilege worth millions to Microsoft.
Check out my blog for more info, links, and email contacts you can complain to. If you let this lie, the next step will be restrictions on which TV sets can view BBC programs.
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