BBC could share its iPlayer on demand service

12 December 2008

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has said that it would like to assist other broadcasters, and might share its iPlayer on demand technology with ITV and Channel 4.

BBC's director general Mark Thompson has said on the broadcaster's website that the idea is part of a package of proposals designed to help the UK's public service broadcasters after the switch to digital TV.

The venture has been named Project Canvas, and seeks to combine digital terrestrial TV service of Freeview with broadband capability in a next-generation set-top box, and would also be launched on Freesat. It wold combine television, radio and high-definition services with on-demand and archive programming along with films, web content and interactive TV services.

Project Canvas is said to be a part of the BBC's proposals for on-ground partnerships aimed at bridging a £235 million per year gap in public service broadcasting funding. The platform is suggested as an open one for other public service broadcasters, content providers and internet service providers. The service is proposed for commencement around January 2010.

Thompson said that the BBC should share the benefits of its scale and security "with the rest of the industry", through partnerships that he believed "broadcasters can help secure the future of public service broadcasting in this country." The BBC could also allow other networks to use its local news facilities, it said on its website.

The BBC proposes to share the iPlayer technology with others, and plans to work with ITV and British Telecom (BT) on internet services for television. It also plans to open up access to regional content, sharing production technology, while mulling ways to cooperate with Channel 4 and using BBC online to promote public service internet content.