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On [[16 October]] [[2007]], the BBC announced that a strategic relationship with [[Adobe Systems|Adobe]], that would bring a limited, streaming-only version of the iPlayer to Mac and Linux users (as well as Windows users who can't or don't wish to use the iPlayer download service).<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october/16/adobe.shtml | title=BBC enters strategic relationship with Adobe to enhance BBC iPlayer and bbc.co.uk | publisher=[[BBC|BBC Press Office]] | date=2007-10-16 | accessdate=2007-12-15 }}</ref> The streaming version of the iPlayer went live on the [[13 December]] [[2007]].<ref name="bbcip-streaming" />
On [[16 October]] [[2007]], the BBC announced that a strategic relationship with [[Adobe Systems|Adobe]], that would bring a limited, streaming-only version of the iPlayer to Mac and Linux users (as well as Windows users who can't or don't wish to use the iPlayer download service).<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october/16/adobe.shtml | title=BBC enters strategic relationship with Adobe to enhance BBC iPlayer and bbc.co.uk | publisher=[[BBC|BBC Press Office]] | date=2007-10-16 | accessdate=2007-12-15 }}</ref> The streaming version of the iPlayer went live on the [[13 December]] [[2007]].<ref name="bbcip-streaming" />

The streaming-only version of iPlayer initially used [[Content_delivery_network]]
provider [[Akamai]]. When the BBC announced that they would be changing to using [[Level3]], there were complaints from ISPs because, unlike [[Akamai]], [[Level3]] does not have an open peering policy.<ref>{{ cite web
| url = http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/22/bbc_cdn_isps_level3/
| title = BBC iPlayer upgrade prompts new ISP complaints
| date = 2007-07-14
| publisher = [[The Register]]
}}</ref>


The iPlayer came under criticism for the delay in launch, rebranding and cost to BBC licence-fee payers, as no finished product had been released after four years of development.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://bbciplayerlinux.sourceforge.net/index.php/Main_Page | title=Situation critical | publisher= [[The Guardian]] | date=2007-05-14 }}</ref>
The iPlayer came under criticism for the delay in launch, rebranding and cost to BBC licence-fee payers, as no finished product had been released after four years of development.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://bbciplayerlinux.sourceforge.net/index.php/Main_Page | title=Situation critical | publisher= [[The Guardian]] | date=2007-05-14 }}</ref>

Revision as of 12:57, 23 August 2008

"iPlayer" redirects here. For other uses, see iPlayer (disambiguation).
BBC iPlayer
Developer(s)BBC
Initial release25 December 2007
Stable release
2.3.3887
Operating systemDownload: Windows; Streaming: Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and iPod Touch (beta), Nintendo Wii (beta), Virgin Media
Available inEnglish
TypeTelevision & Radio catch-up
WebsiteBBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer (formerly known as Integrated Media Player (iMP),[1][2] Interactive Media Player,[3] and MyBBCPlayer[4]) is a service available via website, P2P, cable television, iPhone and iPod Touch developed by the BBC to extend its existing RealPlayer-based "Radio Player" and other streamed video clip content. BBC iPlayer left Beta and went live on December 25 2007 [5]. On June 25 2008, it was announced that a new-look iPlayer would be launched [6].

Background

The original iPlayer service underwent a 5-month trial of 5000 broadband users, that began in October 2005 and finished on 28 February 2006. The technology and infrastructure is provided by Kontiki, Siemens Business Services (formerly BBC Technology), and Red Bee Media (formerly BBC Broadcast). A new, improved iPlayer service then had another very limited user trial which began on 15 November 2006.

The iPlayer received the approval of the BBC Trust on 30 April 2007, and an open beta for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 was launched at midnight on 27 July 2007, where it was announced that only a fixed number of people would be able to sign up for the service, with a controlled increase in users over the summer.[7] The open beta incorporated a media player, an electronic programme guide (EPG) and specially designed download client, and will allow the download of TV content by computers assigned to a United Kingdom-based IP address, for use up to 30 days after broadcast. However, it was only available to users of Windows XP.

This was a controversial decision by the BBC, which led to a petition being posted on 10 Downing Street's e-petition website titled:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevent the BBC from making its iPlayer on-demand television service available to Windows users only, and instruct the corporation to provide its service for other operating systems also.[8]

The petition reached 16,082 signatures on 20 August 2007.[8] The response from the Government was:

... the Trust noted the strong public demand for the service to be available on a variety of operating systems. The BBC Trust made it a condition of approval for the BBC's on-demand services that the iPlayer is available to users of a range of operating systems, and has given a commitment that it will ensure that the BBC meets this demand as soon as possible. They will measure the BBC's progress on this every six months and publish the findings.[9]

On 13 December 2007, the BBC launched the streaming version of the BBC iPlayer, based on Adobe Flash.[10] The new streaming interface, available on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms, provides access to up to 250 programmes from across the BBC; however, programmes can only be viewed for up to seven days, unlike the thirty days provided by the download service.[10]

Since January 2008 it now supports Mozilla Firefox (only under the Microsoft Windows platform) for downloading content.[11]

Before the iPlayer had even launched, it was announced that the BBC, alongside ITV and Channel 4, were intending to launch a new video on demand platform, provisionally named Kangaroo. It is intended that it will complement the video on demand services that these channels are already offering, including the iPlayer, by making programmes available once their "catch up" period expires.[12]

Following a deal between the BBC and cable television provider Virgin Media, the iPlayer service was made available through the provider's on demand service.[13] The cable service launched on 30 April 2008,[14] and keeps the look and feel of the BBC iPlayer program.[14]

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the BBC stated that the iPlayer cost £6 million to develop up to 8 April 2008[15], although a more comprehensive estimate of the development cost put it at £72 million[16].

Key features

Download service

One of the key features of the iPlayer download service is the use of peer-to-peer technology to enable the distribution of large video files (i.e. TV programmes) to scale effectively. Once downloaded, the content is only playable within the iPlayer itself or Windows Media Player 10 or 11, and digital rights management (DRM) software will prevent it being directly copied to another medium (e.g. another computer or CD-ROM). Additionally, the DRM allows the BBC to decide how long the programmes remain watchable. Programmes will be available for download for seven days following broadcast. Once a programme is downloaded a user will have thirty days to start watching it. Once a user starts to watch a programme, it will continue to be available for the next seven days. These limitations do not apply to viewers using the online streaming service.

The client also offers an electronic programme guide (EPG) with listings for both the previous 7 and next 7 days' programmes; selecting a programme which has already been broadcast will begin downloading it immediately, while those not yet shown will be downloaded as soon as they have been. It is currently not possible to schedule a series to be automatically downloaded when the next episode becomes available, but the BBC hopes to make this available in a later version.[17] Once downloaded, the client requests a key from the BBC server to unlock the content before playback. As with other Television licence-funded facilities (and to simplify copyright clearance for the content) the service is only meant for viewers in the UK. It will only be usable to computers using a UK-based IP address,[18] although AOL users may have to log-on several times due to routing issues. If using an IP address not based in the UK, you can select shows to download, but the download will fail with a notification that you are not in the UK. Users have bypassed this restriction by using UK based proxies, for example a university VPN.

Online service

A screenshot of the old version of BBC iPlayer streaming page for television programme, Sound

The BBC's streaming version of iPlayer, which makes use of Adobe Flash software, launched on 13 December 2007.[19] The BBC made use of the Christmas period to trumpet the new service with the tagline 'Making the unmissable... unmissable', and the service came out of beta on the 25 December 2007.[5] Also, seasonal specials were followed routinely throughout the Yuletide week with plugs for iPlayer.[20] The streaming version of iPlayer offers replays of BBC shows screened on British BBC TV channels in the last seven days.[21] Programmes available are those from BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News and BBC Parliament.[21] Due to licensing agreements, international and some privately-produced shows or movies are not available on iPlayer.[22]

Perhaps what sets the streaming iPlayer aside from other net-based 'TV catchup' services, such as Channel 4's OD service, is its smooth compatibility with computers using Linux and Mac operating systems, as Adobe Flash Player is also available on those platforms.[23] The original BBC iPlayer itself – with a software download required – will not work on Mac and Linux platforms.[24]

Virgin Media Cable TV

On 30 April 2008 the iPlayer seven-day catch-up service was pumped direct to Virgin Media's 3.4m digital cable TV customers as part of the company's video-on-demand service. Pressing the 'red button' while watching a BBC channel on TV will bring up the iPlayer service without the user having to access the web. [25]

On 30th May 2008 Virgin Media successfully integrated iPlayer with the Virgin Media electronic programme guide. The majority of BBC shows are now listed alongside other VOD content in Virgin's Catch Up TV section as well as through the red button whilst viewing a BBC channel. There will be no charge for watching BBC shows through the iPlayer on Virgin Media. [26]

BT Vision

BT has announced plans to charge its customers £3 per month for watching BBC Replay, a cut down version of iPlayer offering a more limited 30 hours of BBC programming per week. [27]

iPhone and iPod touch

On 7 March 2008, a beta version for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch was released. The version marked the first time the service became available on portable devices, allowing streaming over a wi-fi connection. The EDGE connectivity on the iPhone, however, is not supported, as it is too slow for streaming video.[28][29]

An exploit was soon discovered in this tailored content for the iPhone allowing users to bypass the DRM. The BBC quickly closed this hack on 13 March 2008. [30] Through the month of June 2008 the ongoing battle followed a tit for tat progress. A Ruby [31] exploit was followed by the BBC introducing XOR encryption on parts was followed by a circumvention of the encryption. It has been suggested the BBC introduced specially crafted web bugs and download chunk limits where an iPhone is not detected, reverting to the encryption if a genuine handset is detected [32].

Games Consoles

On 9 April 2008 the BBC iPlayer was made available to stream video content on the Wii video game console via the Internet Channel (only available to UK residents).[33][34] This was enabled by a recoding of the iPlayer to use Flash 7 rather than Flash 9.

Although not officially accessible at the standard iPlayer website through the PlayStation 3 browser, an unofficial hack was created a week after the Wii content launch combining Javascript, CSS and user-agent masking to mimic the Wii's browser, in turn allowing PlayStation 3 owners to access the iPlayer by visiting the unofficial website through its browser.[35] Whilst the BBC were "impressed", they remarked that it was not "the best possible iPlayer proposition for that console", and that, as the PS3 is on their roadmap, they would be "investigating the optimal video profile and browser proposition" for it in due course.[36]

Latest version

File:Iplayer20iphone-nochrome.png
BBC iPlayer 2.0 beta as displayed by the iPhone

On the 25 June 2008, the BBC announced that they have been developing a new version of the iPlayer that is based on user feedback - it is currently called "BBC iPlayer 2.0".[37] Some new features include combining the normal television iPlayer with the radio iPlayer, schedules of programmes due to be on the iPlayer, automatic resumption of the last programme watched, an increase in the size of the screen by 25% to 640 pixels wide, RSS feeds of iPlayer data, and a "Yesterday's TV" function.[37] The beta ran alongside the existing site until 3 July 2008, when the new version replaced it.[38]. The latest version has recently implemented an option of streaming videos in high quality.

Criticisms

Free Software Foundation protests outside BBC Manchester

During the 2005 and 2006 iPlayer trials, the DRM system used was based on Microsoft's Windows Media DRM, which led to concerns about cross-platform availability, as this technology is only available for Windows XP. However, some users have managed to get it working using compatibility options in Vista.[39] The BBC emphasises that it "has a commitment to platform neutrality and a remit to make its content as widely available as possible",[40] and that while the initial trial used a Microsoft-based technology, they are constantly looking for new technologies which would enable them to relax the restriction: Ashley Highfield, the BBC's director of Future Media and Technology, has explained that "we have always started with the platform that reaches the most number of people and then rolled it out from there". They also point out that not all of the content delivered through the iPlayer will be subject to DRM - live streaming content, for instance, may not need the same level of control, presumably implying that players for Mac OS X and Linux systems could be developed with a restricted range of content. However, a project has been started to enable the iPlayer to work with other platforms via the Wine project.[41]

On 14 August 2007, the Free Software Foundation staged a demonstration outside BBC Television Centre.[42] The FSF's Peter T. Brown criticised the BBC for what he claimed was a break from previous tradition: the insistence that, for the first time, BBC viewers would be forced to use proprietary technology to watch BBC programmes.

On 16 October 2007, the BBC announced that a strategic relationship with Adobe, that would bring a limited, streaming-only version of the iPlayer to Mac and Linux users (as well as Windows users who can't or don't wish to use the iPlayer download service).[43] The streaming version of the iPlayer went live on the 13 December 2007.[10]

The streaming-only version of iPlayer initially used Content_delivery_network provider Akamai. When the BBC announced that they would be changing to using Level3, there were complaints from ISPs because, unlike Akamai, Level3 does not have an open peering policy.[44]

The iPlayer came under criticism for the delay in launch, rebranding and cost to BBC licence-fee payers, as no finished product had been released after four years of development.[45]

The BBC has also been criticised for saying that the iPlayer would 'launch' on the 27 July 2007, when what was on offer was simply an extension of the beta to an open beta, admitting more users in a controlled manner.[46] This was done reportedly to allow British ISPs and the BBC to gauge the effect of the iPlayer traffic on the Internet within the UK, although Channel 4 and ITV had both recently launched similar services.

Further criticism has been focused on the iPlayer's use of KService from Kontiki, a peer-to-peer application which continues to use users' bandwidth, even after the iPlayer has been shut down,[47] though this can be controlled using options available within the software. Because of this, users may be charged by their Internet service provider for exceeding their download limit or fair use policy.[48]

Reception

Within 3 weeks of its official launch the BBC reported that over 3.5 million programmes[49] had been streamed or downloaded within two weeks of the release. The Observer described these figures as "remarkably promising".[50] The BBC originally planned for only 500,000 users within the first 6 months of the download service.[51] Streaming of programmes currently outnumbers downloads eight to one.[52]

This take up may be related to the significant "long tail" effect that the BBC has reported, with many users seeking out more niche interest programmes, and programmes broadcast on digital channels doing remarkably well.[50] However, this is expected to change with the introduction of booking programmes to download in advance, and automatic downloading of the next episode.

The demands of the iPlayer has met with some concern and criticism from UK ISPs due to the additional bandwidth the service will require.[53] Several ISPs, notably Tiscali, have called on the BBC to partially fund network upgrades to cope with iPlayer traffic.[54] The BBC responded by saying that the iPlayer was driving demand for broadband subscriptions.[citation needed]

The iPlayer now accounts for around five percent of all UK traffic[55] - approximately 5 million page views per day as of 25 June 2008. [56]

On the 11 May 2008, iPlayer was awarded a BAFTA for "Interactive Innovation Service/Platform", beating Channel 4's 'Big Art Mob' and the Bebo 'Open Media Platform'.[57]

References

  1. ^ "BBC launches catch-up TV trials". BBC News. 2005-09-29. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  2. ^ Goliath.com "Results of the BBC's Integrated Media Player trial". Goliath. 2007-04-13. Retrieved 2008-05-14. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ "BBC interactive Media Player: news & review". DJ Alchemi. 2004-08-23.
  4. ^ "My BBC Cool Blue". open.bbc.co.uk. 2006-05-25.
  5. ^ a b "BBC iPlayer Launched". Broadband Finder. 2007-12-27.
  6. ^ "BBC iPlayer Gets Re-designed". BBC Press Office. 2008-06-25.
  7. ^ "BBC online video service launches". BBC News. 2007-07-27.
  8. ^ a b "iPlayer Petition". 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  9. ^ "iplayer - epetition response". 10 Downing Street. 2007-09-06. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  10. ^ a b c "BBC increases reach of iPlayer as streaming begins". BBC Press Office. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
  11. ^ "Beeb iPlayer gets Firefox-friendly". The Register. 2008-02-02.
  12. ^ "Broadcasters in web TV talks". The Guardian. 2007-06-14.
  13. ^ "Samuel L Jackson to promote cable iPlayer". DigitalSpy. 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  14. ^ a b "BBC iPlayer On Virgin Media". BBC Press Office. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  15. ^ "iPlayer (A Freedom of Information request to British Broadcasting Corporation by Rose)". BBC Future Media and Technology via MySociety - WhatDoTheyKnow?. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  16. ^ "BBC spent £6 million to develop the iPlayer". Reportr.net. 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  17. ^ "Can I series link my favourite TV shows?". The BBC. 2007-09-26.
  18. ^ "BBC Privacy and Cookies policy". The BBC. 2008-03-22.
  19. ^ "Beeb's iPlayer reaps streaming traffic dividends". The Register. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  20. ^ "BBC gives the iPlayer a festive push". The Guardian. 2007-12-18.
  21. ^ a b "iPlayer - Last 7 Days". BBC. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  22. ^ "What kind of programmes are available on BBC iPlayer?". BBC. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  23. ^ "Adobe Flash Player: System Requirements". Adobe. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  24. ^ "What if I don't run Windows, can I still download?". BBC. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  25. ^ "Virgin Media and BBC partner to bring BBC iPlayer to TV". BBC. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  26. ^ "BBC iPlayer content enters Virgin EPG". Digital Spy. 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  27. ^ BT (2008-05-26). "TV Replay Is Changing". BT. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
  28. ^ Anthony Rose (2008-03-07). "BBC iPlayer On iPhone: Behind The Scenes". BBC. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  29. ^ "BBC iPlayer comes to the iPhone". BBC News Online. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  30. ^ "BBC calls DRM cops on iPlayer download party". The Register. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  31. ^ "BBC iPlayer fix hacked again!". Paul Battley. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
  32. ^ "Beebhack wiki: iPlayer IPhone H.264 version". Phil Lewis. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  33. ^ "BBC announces Nintendo Wii deal". BBC News Online. 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  34. ^ "BBC iPlayer on Wii". BBC News. 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  35. ^ Rob Purchese (2008-04-14). "Fan makes BBC iPlayer work on PS3". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  36. ^ Rob Purchese (2008-04-16). "PS3 iPlayer already on BBC's roadmap". Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  37. ^ a b Anthony Rose (2008-06-25). "BBC iPlayer 2.0: Sneak Preview". BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  38. ^ Erik Huggers (2008-06-26). "BBC iPlayer 2.0: Promotional Video". BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  39. ^ "Vista.. Long live XP". BBC. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  40. ^ "iMP using Microsoft ... no chance of a linux version then ?". BBC. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  41. ^ "BBC iPlayer on Linux project Wiki". BBC iPlayer Wiki. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  42. ^ "Free software campaigners stonewalled at BBC". The Register. 2007-07-14.
  43. ^ "BBC enters strategic relationship with Adobe to enhance BBC iPlayer and bbc.co.uk". BBC Press Office. 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
  44. ^ "BBC iPlayer upgrade prompts new ISP complaints". The Register. 2007-07-14.
  45. ^ "Situation critical". The Guardian. 2007-05-14.
  46. ^ Chris Williams (2007-07-31). "The BBC iPlayer 'launch' that wasn't". The Register.
  47. ^ Ian Morris (2007-07-31). "Crave Talk: Five things that are wrong with BBC iPlayer". CNET.
  48. ^ Simon Fluendy (2008-03-16). "BBC iPlayer fans face hidden costs". thisismoney.co.uk. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  49. ^ Ashley Highfield (2008-01-13). "iPlayer Launch: First Indications". BBC.
  50. ^ a b Mark Sweney (2008-01-15). "BBC iPlayer bursts through user target". The Guardian.
  51. ^ Mark Sweney (2006-06-27). "BBC aims for 1m iPlayer users". The Guardian.
  52. ^ Ashley Highfield (2008-01-14). "iPlayer Launch: First Indications". BBC.
  53. ^ Jemima Kiss (2007-08-13). "ISPs fear iPlayer overload". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  54. ^ "BBC and ISPs clash over iPlayer". BBC News. 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  55. ^ Richard Wray (2008-04-30). "BBC iPlayer Launched on Virgin Media". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  56. ^ Anthony Rose (2008-06-25). "BBC Internet Blog". The BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  57. ^ "Television Craft Winners in 2008 - The BAFTA site". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 2008-05-12.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=BBC_iPlayer&oldid=233727335"