BBC iPlayer going multi-platform

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The BBC has announced its plans to create a platform-independent client in partnership with Adobe.

Erik Huggers, Director of BBC Future Media & Technology, described the plans in a blog post on the corporations site.

"Audio/visual is the soul of the corporation and will form the backbone of a vastly improved bbc.co.uk in the years to come" noted Huggers.

The BBC plans to use Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) to enable iPlayer download functionality on the Mac, Linux and Windows operating systems for the first time later this year. According to the BBC whatever platform you use, you'll now be able to download TV programmes to watch later - on the train, in the garden, or wherever you like.

It's not immediately clear if iPhone and iPod devices will be able to play the content as typically Apple has restricted this.

Content will still be DRM protected but not in a way that will affect enjoyment of the programs that the BBC offers.

In a separate announcement earlier this week the BBC also revealed its plans to offer over the air streaming to the Nokia N96.

#1 Rob on 15 Oct 2008 - 19:49

Very very cool - Adobe Air is a great platform and to see the BBC yet again at the forefront of the utilisation of these technologies really makes me happy.

#2 Richard Hammond on 15 Oct 2008 - 19:50

Wonder what DRM they are going to use this time to cripple playback on other formats. If its anything like the WMV DRM they use now i wont bother, its annoying having to play iPlayer stuff in Media Player 11 instead of my default preffered player.

(3 replies) #3 markjensen on 15 Oct 2008 - 20:10

Hey, and this one really is multi-platform, with Linux support.

Silverlight, which is just a few news items down, is really still dual-platform with Linux support only through an "exclusive" Novell arrangement, and even that is a release version back.

Nice to see the BBC making good on its promise to make their player multi-platform!

#3.1 creamhackered on 15 Oct 2008 - 20:30

Definitely good of them. I hope it's truely multi-platform for mobile devices too as that would rock.

#3.2 markjensen on 15 Oct 2008 - 21:06

creamhackered said,

Indeed! I think that mobile technology is the big growth area for the foreseeable future.

#3.3 Richard Hammond on 16 Oct 2008 - 10:20

I wouldnt say it was good of them they are obligated to make it work for all platforms due to the public licence fee that people pay for.

(1 reply) #4 mrmckeb on 16 Oct 2008 - 01:16

Silverlight would have been nicer IMO. I don't want to have to install a desktop application... Bad Microsoft for not securing the deal!

#4.1 +bmdixon on 16 Oct 2008 - 08:09

You have to install a desktop application at the moment if you want to download the programmes so this is to be expected...

#5 smooth_criminal1990 on 16 Oct 2008 - 09:09

about time! still a shame they didn't go for silverlight 2 tho

#6 Cpugeni Ω on 16 Oct 2008 - 09:46

It's not immediately clear if iPhone and iPod devices will be able to play the content as typically Apple has restricted this.

How crap is that?! Why would Apple do that?!
I've got a Samsung Omnia and the iPlayer doesnt currently work on it, but would be very nice when it does, even better that programs can be downloaded... It will male travelling on London Underground more bareable.

(1 reply) #7 ThomMcK on 16 Oct 2008 - 11:26

What ever happened to the kangaroo project?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_(video_on_demand) IMO That is the killer app that people really need.

Also, I was hoping that the BBC would release a standalone free app/channel for the Wii as I am too tight to spend £7 to buy the Wii internet channel

#7.1 Richard Hammond on 16 Oct 2008 - 12:27

Sky complained i think, or someone complained about anti-competitive practices.

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