BBC iPlayer passes public value test

[BGonaSTICK]

A modified version of the BBC's on demand plans - including its internet-based VOD iPlayer application - has been approved by the BBC Trust after undergoing a public value test.

"Our view is that the BBC’s new on-demand services are likely to deliver significant public value, and should be allowed to proceed, but subject to certain conditions in order to reduce the potential negative market impact," said Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee and chair of the public value test steering group.

The Trust has approved the BBC Executive's plans to offer iPlayer-based podcasts, live TV simulcasts and a seven-day catch-up TV service. The seven day catch up TV service already operating on NTL Telewest's digital cable service has also been approved.

However, the Trust has insisted that modifications be made to the Executive's plans, both in terms of the content offered through the on-demand services and more specifically the way in which the iPlayer itself works.

The storage window for the 7 day catch up services will be limited to 30 days, a significant but expected reduction from the Executive's desired 13 week window. Series stacking will only be permitted in very limited circumstances, effectively excluding programmes including Top Gear and EastEnders. A very specific rule banning audio books and podcasts was also added by the Trust.

More fundamentally, the Trust has called for a change in which the iPlayer handles digital rights management. At present, the iPlayer uses DRM technology supplied by Microsoft. The Trust has said that this is unacceptable and added that a platform-agnostic approach, requiring the development of an alternative DRM scheme, must be adopted by the BBC "in a reasonable timeframe."

"In reaching our decision, the Trust has therefore taken account of both the potential public value added and the potential negative market impact," Coyle explained. "We concluded that a number of modifications to the BBC’s proposals are necessary to deliver the greatest value to the public.

"Today we are inviting feedback from the public, the commercial sector and the BBC management team on our provisional conclusions. It is an open consultation, with access to the supporting evidence we have considered in reaching our judgement."

[Unknown user #1]

No device with any kind of DRM will ever find its way to my home, period.