BBC to share web technology with rivals

Broadcaster tests software that allows viewers to download past shows to a PC

The BBC plans to share with rival broadcasters internet technology that allows viewers access to past television shows, if trials prove successful.

The broadcaster began the second phase of the integrated Media Player (iMP) trials last week and is rolling out the software to 5,000 volunteers.

Some 30,000 people registered to participate in the trials of the iMP technology, which will allow them to access television and radio programmes from the past seven days by downloading them from the internet.

The BBC will gauge public interest in the service over the next three months, before presenting findings to the board of governors early next year.

‘If we solve all the issues, there is consumer demand, and it meets the BBC’s public value criteria, we will then look at how we can share this with other broadcasters,’ said Tony Ageh, BBC controller for the internet.

If the BBC shared its technology, competitors such as ITV and Channel 4 would have no need to develop rival internet viewing platforms, preventing confusion caused by consumers having different products.

‘We are addressing and hopefully solving problems that other broadcasters are also grappling with, and it’s something we plan to share,’ said Ageh.

The iMP application allows users to download and view programmes on their PCs, or potentially a television.

‘We want to change how people access programmes. It’s like an internet-based video recorder, although video recorders can’t go back in time,’ said Ageh.

The first set of trials took place last summer and checked the viability of the technology (Computing, 29 July 2004). Quova Geo-IP software has now been installed to ensure only BBC licence payers can access the system.

Digital rights management software has been included to prevent users from sharing programmes. It also automatically deletes programmes after a certain period of time.