BBC iPlayer to go international?

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 07:39

Your IT - Home IT

An international version of the BBC's iPlayer TV catchup service could be on the cards. Just don't expect access to the UK iPlayer from overseas, and do expect to open your wallet.

The UK's BBC publicly-owned broadcaster has been planning an international version of its iPlayer TV and radio replay web site for some time. It's been at least 18 months since 'Auntie' said it would be made available "as soon as possible."

It seems that planning is still underway, and a launch is getting closer.

One of the barriers to internationalising the service is that the BBC is funded from UK television licence revenue, and it is generally accepted that the BBC's services should be to the benefit of licence holders.

A UK TV licence costs £142.50 ($A248.04/$US224.81) per year for colour, and £48.00 ($A83.55/$US75.73) for black and white.

Thus it is most unlikely that iPlayer will be available free of charge outside the UK. How the pricing will work is apparently still under debate, with various observers predicting that subscription, pay-per-view, or a both will be used.

Another issue is territorial rights. The BBC makes its content available to UK users shortly after transmission for seven days.

Please read on for more details of what the BBC is planning and the obstacles facing the broadcaster.