BBC Trust blocks Open iPlayer plans
The BBC Trust has blocked the BBC's idea of offering content from channels such as ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 through its popular iPlayer service.
While it sounds like a blimmin' good idea to us, the Trust is blocking it as it says it will not deliver value to license-fee players.
The Beeb originally came up with the idea for Open iPlayer to create a "federation of on-demand public service broadcast services" all available at one destination.
It had also hoped the deal would prevent a license fee cut, and quieten critics claiming the public-funded iPlayer was becoming too big for its commercial rivals to compete.
The Trust has said is open to the idea of sharing the iPlayer tech with other channels, but that the proposals put forward by the Beeb were too complex, particularly to problem of mixing ad-funded content with non-ad BBC shows.
While Open iPlayer may have fallen foul of the Trust, Project Canvas is still being investigated which would see content from the BBC, ITV and BT available on-demand from Freesat and Freeview services, so there's still hope there.
What to you think to the BBC Trust's decision? Let us know below, and be sure to check out our ultimate guide to UK TV on demand.
Via: The Times
Comments
hillrhys
2 years ago
"Not deliver value to license fee payers", yeah sure, they just want it to themselves.
Ceatlan_UK
2 years ago
Easy solution. Spin the iPlayer part of the BBC off into its own standalone business, then the BBC just becomes another content provider for the service along with any other channels that want to use the service.
Mojos
2 years ago
A real shame! iPlayer is such a good system and for me is even better as It's supports both my iPhone and PS3, so to have content from multiple channels would have been fantastic. I'd much rather that than tosh like strictly!
hooman78
2 years ago
There should be a clause in there for ITV and C4 that there are to be minimal ads on there.
C4 OD is terrible and ITV dont even have anything, funny how they all run to the beeb when times are bad but have had years of good times to do something worthwhile for its viewers but done nowt.
I see nothing wrong with the bbc trying to protect a brilliant product from being spoilt by overloading of content etc.