BBC iPlayer service

The iPlayer service, which was criticized upon it’s original launch for only being compatible with windows computers, may soon be available via Apple’s, Apple TV service, which has recently be revamped.

An interest in the home cinema device has been shown by Ashley Highfield, director of Future Media and Technology for the BBC, due to the device not needing a computer to operate and the ease of downloading rental content.

A new arrangement within the iPlayer service means both Mac and windows users can benefit, watching shows at their convenience.

On the BBC internet blog Highfield states “The announcement from MacWorld about the effective re-launch of the Apple TV is encouraging”

“This coupled with applies move to a rental model, means that we can look into getting BBC iPlayer onto this platform too, as we should be able to use the rental functionality to allow our programmes to be downloaded, free, but retained for a time window, and then erased, as our rights holder currently insist.”

The “Take two” version of the Apple TV has obviously made a positive impression on Highfield, as Highfield only recently criticized the product:

“Apples TVs have hardly been flyers off the shelves either. When the boss describes one of his products as a ‘hobby’, be warned”

“The problem with the Apple solution is that it is geared around their business model of downloading and owning files via itunes, not streaming A/V from a multitude of websites, or using other formats such as divx, xvid, MPEG2, and WMV”

Story link: BBC iPlayer service