Virgin to offer BBC iPlayer via TV
01 May 2008
Virgin to offer BBC iPlayer via TV
UK cable operator Virgin Media has become the first internet service provider to partner with the BBC and launch the controversial iPlayer on its own platform.
From this week, Virgin has made the BBC iPlayer available to its 3.5 million TV customers via the operator's own set top box.
Viewers using the iPlayer service will be able to watch full screen programmes at full quality on their television set without the need for downloading.
iPlayer allows viewers to catch up on BBCTV programming from the past seven days, at no extra cost. This includes shows such as Eastenders, Doctor Who, Gavin and Stacey, Top Gear, The Apprentice as well as documentaries such as Louis Theroux.
Ovum analyst Michael Philpott said that, "One of the fastest growing new TV applications, whether on traditional or IPTV platforms, is the concept of time shifting." He added: "Perhaps more importantly for pay-TV operators, is that studies have shown that greater use of time shifting content leads to a greater demand for paid for on-demand services.
"By mixing traditional TV and 'Internet TV' services and applications together, TV operators stand a better chance of keeping customers interested in their service offering. Ovum therefore expects to see a lot more of this type of partnership in the future," Philpott said.
Virgin's move is interesting given the level of controversy iPlayer has caused in the ISP community. While the service providers want subscribers to be buying and using their access services, they are less keen on them using high traffic services like iPlayer, with some even admitting to concerns that the application would put too much strain on the network.
Then again, Virgin Media chief exec Neil Berkett, recently referred to the concept of net neutrality as "a load of bollocks" and said that anyone who didn't pay Virgin a premium would have their content stuck in the slower internet "bus lane", which suggests the Beeb has struck a deal along those lines.
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