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Sky customers get BBC iPlayer

by Steven Williamson on 30 January 2012, 13:49

Tags: BBC, Sky

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There’s no stopping the spread of the BBC iPlayer service across multiple plaforms as plans to bring the video-on-demand channel to Sky boxes in the homes of five million UK customers has now been given the go ahead.

The deal between the BBC and Sky ensures that the iPlayer will be available via the Sky+ Anytime tab later on this year.

Having launched an International version of the iPlayer in 2010, the video-on-demand service is now available on a wide range of platforms, including Virgin Media, BT Vision, FreeSat, Freeview, Sony PlayStation. Nintendo Wii, and hundreds of mobile phones, tablets, and Internet-connected TVs.

BBC iPlayer has proven hugely popular with UK audiences since launching in 2007, delivering a record two billion TV and radio programmes in 2011. The latest report also reveals 1.5 million installs on the Apple iPad and 1.2 million installs on Android devices since the service launched the app in February 2011. An iPhone app also launched in December 2011.



Currently, those who watch only the iPlayer are exempt from the BBC TV licence fee, but with the service becoming increasingly popular and available across a wide range of Internet-enabled devices, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is looking at ways in which it could impose the fee.

The BBC isn’t so concerned, telling the The Guardian that only a small percentage of its viewers use only the iPlayer. "We believe the current system works very efficiently and do not see a need to change its scope at present," said a spokesperson for the channel.

However, the governing body is concerned that as catch-up TV becomes increasingly popular and more widely available users may decide to do all their TV watching online and therefore escape the licence fee completely.

The BBC is also brainstorming plans to charge viewers of its iPlayer service for accessing archived content. The current service lets licence fee payers watch programmes for free up to seven days after they’ve aired on TV. However, the BBC may charge those who want to access content prior to that period.

For the time being though, sit back and enjoy the BBC iPlayer entirely for free because those plans aren’t likely to be put into place until 2016, when the BBC’s Royal Charter is set to be renewed.


HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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Posted by miniyazz - Mon 30 Jan 2012 14:10
Currently, those who watch *only* the iPlayer are exempt from the BBC TV licence fee, but with the service becoming increasingly popular and available across a wide range of Internet-enabled devices, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is looking at waysin which it could impose the fee.

The BBC isn’t so concerned, telling the The Guardian that only a small percentage of its viewers use *only* the iPlayer. “We believe the current system works very efficiently and do not see a need to change its scope at present,” said a spokesperson for the channel.

I think you might be missing a couple of ‘only’s there, which change the meaning entirely ;)
Posted by crossy - Mon 30 Jan 2012 14:23
BBC iPlayer has proven hugely popular with UK audiences since launching in 2007, delivering a record two billion TV and radio programmes in 2011. The latest report also reveals 1.5 million installs on the Apple iPad and 1.2 million installs on Android devices since the service launched the app in February 2011.
Wasn't that impressed with the iPlayer app on Android - on the tablet at least all it seems to do is launch the webbrowser to point at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer in which case it's not really an “app” more a “shortcut”.

Also less than impressed when I tried to operate it when connected via a 3G hotspot - the app gave me a warning that "you are attempting to use iPlayer over a mobile network“, but then didn't give me an option to say ”that's fine - I know what I'm doing". Which given I just wanted to listen to a radio programme and had a 500MB data allowance, seemed reasonable. Stupid app just refused point blank to cooperate. :mad:
Posted by crossy - Mon 30 Jan 2012 14:25
miniyazz
I think you might be missing a couple of ‘only’s there, which change the meaning entirely ;)
Darn, I was hoping that because I use iPlayer, that according to the article I could get a refund of my license fee because I didn't need it. :p

LOL
Posted by saltyzip - Mon 30 Jan 2012 14:54
If only Sky had a FTTC broadband offering I would consider switching my broadband and phone line back to them, until then I will just have to stick with having my foot in both BT and Sky camps.


Just read this, Sky are opening up Anytime+ to non Sky broadband subscribers in Easter this year, Whoopee!!
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5002-sky-anytime-expanding-to-all-broadband-providers.html
Posted by cheesemp - Mon 30 Jan 2012 16:27
crossy
Wasn't that impressed with the iPlayer app on Android - on the tablet at least all it seems to do is launch the webbrowser to point at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer in which case it's not really an “app” more a “shortcut”.

Also less than impressed when I tried to operate it when connected via a 3G hotspot - the app gave me a warning that "you are attempting to use iPlayer over a mobile network“, but then didn't give me an option to say ”that's fine - I know what I'm doing". Which given I just wanted to listen to a radio programme and had a 500MB data allowance, seemed reasonable. Stupid app just refused point blank to cooperate. :mad:

I read somewhere you can work round this by setting your phone up as a mobile hotspot and connecting to itself via wifi? Never tried it but might be a worth a go?

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