BBC Adds Shows to iTunes

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/02/18/180126-Picture 5.png

As predicted (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/18/bbc-shows-on-itunes-this-week/), the BBC has added their television programs to iTunes UK. Accessible through UK iTunes:BBC Worldwide brings iTunes users in the UK the best of British TV programmes from the BBC. Our programmes are exciting, compelling, passionate, provocative, bold, unpredictable and moving, and include some of the best comedy -- Little Britain, The Catherine Tate Show and Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps -- and a fantastic selection of contemporary drama, including Torchwood, Spooks and Life on Mars, all available to download now. New titles will be added regularly, including top-quality documentary series and brand-new drama and comedy

Shows are priced at £1.89 per episode and are still being added to. Apple's UK Hot news (http://www.apple.com/uk/hotnews/) also list Robin Hood and Ashes to Ashes amongst the available shows. They also specify that the newest episodes will be available for for purchase and download eight days after they are screened on TV.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/18/bbc-adds-shows-to-itunes/)

[Stridder44]

Top Gear!!!

[jonharris200]

So, now all us licence fee payers in the UK can pay again to download these programmes.

Hooray!

Wait a minute...

[chuckles:)]

8 Days?

[pdpfilms]

So how does this work for non-UKers? Another question might be... As a UKer, can you download US shows? I'd love to get some BBC documentary stuff (and pay for it too!), as I can't access the site to watch.

[iJed]

I can't see this doing very well in the UK with iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/) being free and having at least some of this content. Plus I'm sure that I already pay for this stuff with my TV licence.

Edit: This is actually quite insulting to us licence payers.

[MacFly123]

8 Days?

That's what I said!

[bentley]

so DVDs of BBC stuff should be just the packaging costs?

[nja247]

So, now all us licence fee payers in the UK can pay again to download these programmes.

Hooray!

Wait a minute...

Technically they're available for free on BBC's website for UK residents. The BBC iPlayer is another story however. This is for those outside of the UK to have access to BBC content online. Thus I don't see how it's insulting when you can go to BBC and get it free if you're in the UK and therefore pay (or supposed to) TV licence.

[hob]

so DVDs of BBC stuff should be just the packaging costs?

Fair point, but £1.89 a pop is a bit steep, don't you think? Who's going to actually pay this?

[Sky Blue]

I can't see this doing very well in the UK with iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/) being free and having at least some of this content. Plus I'm sure that I already pay for this stuff with my TV licence.

Edit: This is actually quite insulting to us licence payers.

Do you get offended by BBC DVDs then?

[bpa1093]

Top Gear!!!

AHH I can't wait!

[nxent]

refresh my memory, but wasn't bbc an itunes critic?

[liketom]

ooops i just hit buy on life on mars 1 & 2 Torchwood and spooks

god dam this is gonna cost me.
:D

happy day's , keep em coming beeb

OFAH,Red Dwarf,Blackadder to name but a few to be added PLEEEEASE

[tadunne]

That's what I said!

My guess it iplayer gets the content for 7 days after it's shown, then they become available to buy (just like you would buy if you purchased it on DVD, only quicker)

Hopefully the rumblings from the BBC over interest in itunes rental model would be a way for them to deliver iplayer content to macs/pods

So free on itunes/iplayer for 7 days and available to purchase 8+ days after?
I think that would be a fair system?

I'm going to be more interested in older content like Red Dwarf and old Dr Who, Spooks..

[eddx]

It would be very nice is those of us who paid the £120 ($240) per year to the BBC to watch their broadcasts could get their TV Shows through iTunes for free. Then that really would be good news!

This current price makes me want to look else where.

[euanmackie]

as licence payers havent we allready paid? and I can't see the European concill being happy as the already think that iTunes is ripping us all off....

[Mitch1984]

I can't see this doing very well in the UK with iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/) being free and having at least some of this content. Plus I'm sure that I already pay for this stuff with my TV licence.

Edit: This is actually quite insulting to us licence payers.

I know, it sucks paying twice, but you pay twice when you buy the shows on DVD I guess.

Plus the iPlayer, you don't get to keep the episodes. Maybe Apple said no to having BBC on the Apple TV, or said no to the BBC using the rental money. Apple take a cut for the distribution, so even if the BBC wanted Apple to put the shows on iTunes for free and have them self delete after a certain time, the BBC would've had to pay Apple money.

[Rhosfelt]

Please dear Apple god (steve) Top Gear available in US and I will spend every cent I have on it.

[2bcool2]

now if the bbc would just make the iplayer for mac too, thered be no need to use itunes to watch em....

ooops, then the bbc wouldnt make any money from it
doh!.....

guess we wont be seeing iplayer anytime soon then


i thoght the bbc was meant for everyone in the uk not just pc owners

discrimination.....remind me why we pay our licence again??

COME ON YOU MBP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nugget]

Top Gear! Please! Top Gear in the US! (adding to the chorus)

[djellison]

I object to being asked to pay twice for these programs, so I will continue to download that rare creation ( a BBC program worth watching ) via Bit Torrent.

Doug

[daddywags214]

Please dear Apple god (steve) Top Gear available in US and I will spend every cent I have on it.

WANT TOP GEAR NOWWWW

[nja247]

It would be very nice is those of us who paid the £120 ($240) per year to the BBC to watch their broadcasts could get their TV Shows through iTunes for free. Then that really would be good news!

This current price makes me want to look else where.

£120? Try £135.50

[Melan]

"best comedy" and "fantastic ... drama"?

Little Britain = bad
The Catherine Tate Show = bad
Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps = really bad
Torchwood = bad

Just give Fawlty Towers, the UK Office and Planet Earth and you've done all you can.

[caliguy]

The UK Office would be awesome to see on there. Best series ever made.

[iJed]

Do you get offended by BBC DVDs then?

In a word: yes.

I think the licence cost of £135 (~US$270) is already a complete rip-off. Even though the only BBC service I frequently use is their news website I still have to pay the licence fee since I own a TV.

[liketom]

"best comedy" and "fantastic ... drama"?

Little Britain = bad
The Catherine Tate Show = bad
Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps = really bad
Torchwood = bad

Just give Fawlty Towers, the UK Office and Planet Earth and you've done all you can.
correction

Torchwood=Good

rest are crap :p

[Els]

I wouldn't mind paying if the BBC would offer their programmes on iTunes in the Netherlands.

[nja247]

To those complaining about the TV licence: Suppose the programmes weren't on iTunes. How would you get them if you want to watch them after broadcast? Well, 1) view on BBC's website (for a limited time) or 2) buy them on DVD.

Therefore nothing has changed, except now there's another option to view. Stop the whinging.

[jbernie]

Top Gear! Please! Top Gear in the US! (adding to the chorus)

We are only what 2 seasons or so behind here in the USA, so 8 days doesn't seem to bad now.

I guess the folks in the UK might need to do some explaining of the tv license thing so those of us outside the UK understand what you are all on about :).

Kinda like BBC America telling you to turn on captions so you can understand what is being said :):)

[gkarris]

I don't get your BBC Licensing fees and the complaints about Apple charging you.

If you want free programming in the US, there are commercials.

If you want cable/dish stations, you have to pay for them AND have commercials.

Then, if you want them as commercial free downloads, you have to pay again.

If you want the DVD, then, of course, that's money too...

Care to explain to us Americans what the complaining is about?

[liketom]

We are only what 2 seasons or so behind here in the USA, so 8 days doesn't seem to bad now.

I guess the folks in the UK might need to do some explaining of the tv license thing so those of us outside the UK understand what you are all on about :).

Kinda like BBC America telling you to turn on captions so you can understand what is being said :):)

if you own a TV with a Aerial - you pay ( TV Tax)

[Grasbak]

iPlayer is a catch up service for UK only. It allows u to watch (most) programs aired on the BBC for up to 7 days after. That's the same for mac or pc. Only difference for pc is they get to download a better quality version (which expires after the 7 days) where as the mac can only stream with flash (for now).

What a bonus! And its free - your license fee paid for it! Now if you wish to OWN shows to keep, you have that choice - sounds pretty reasonable to me. As has been pointed out u can already buy on DVD - this is just another delivery mechanism.

[iJed]

I guess the folks in the UK might need to do some explaining of the tv license thing so those of us outside the UK understand what you are all on about :).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licencefee/

[firestarter]

In a word: yes.

I think the licence cost of £135 (~US$270) is already a complete rip-off. Even though the only BBC service I frequently use is their news website I still have to pay the licence fee since I own a TV.

Do you get Sky or some other TV programmes, or just use it to watch DVDs?

I got rid of my TV, stopped paying my licence fee, and I watch DVDs through a projector. I think the £1.89 for these is a bit steep - but at least I would only be paying for them once.

Then again, I'll probably just add them to my Amazon DVD hire list - even cheaper.

[NATO]

That's not too bad, Series 6 of Spooks for £16.99. Compared to the DVD release at £39.99 (Although Play.com have it for £25.99). Video quality and size are pretty decent too.

[nja247]

We are only what 2 seasons or so behind here in the USA, so 8 days doesn't seem to bad now.

I guess the folks in the UK might need to do some explaining of the tv license thing so those of us outside the UK understand what you are all on about :).

Kinda like BBC America telling you to turn on captions so you can understand what is being said :):)

Quite simple really, if you own a TV you pay a yearly licence to fund the BBC. It's controversial because Brits like to complain, but that's how it is.

[joseph2166]

I can't see this doing very well in the UK with iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/) being free and having at least some of this content. Plus I'm sure that I already pay for this stuff with my TV licence.

Edit: This is actually quite insulting to us licence payers.

Presumably you are instulted therefore by DVD sales by the BBC? Or CD sales? There's no difference - if you want to watch the programes on your computer for free - i.e. what your license fee allows you (and anyone else in the uk who DOESN'T pay the fee) to do - then go to the iPlayer.

As for the whole license fee debate in general - I can see how you'd get annoyed by it if you never watch bbc things - but the snobish part of me wants to say why AREN'T you using the bbc - great news, great programmes - are you per chance the type who watches big brother and sky all the time and think thats quality entertainment? But thats just my snobish half ;)

[firestarter]

iPlayer is a catch up service for UK only. It allows u to watch (most) programs aired on the BBC for up to 7 days after. That's the same for mac or pc. Only difference for pc is they get to download a better quality version (which expires after the 7 days) where as the mac can only stream with flash (for now).

What a bonus! And its free - your license fee paid for it!

What worries me is whether the BBC will start to require some proof of a licence fee for those watching on their web site. At present you only have to pay the fee if you have a TV and use it to view programmes live. I don't...

[werther]

Just to somewhat add to the chorus....
I'm in the US and would love to be able to download Dr. Who. I have no idea if the *new series sucks or not but I would be willing to pay to find out.




*new -I get the 60's - 80's series at the local library and haven't seen any of the 2000's.

[andy.barron]

i live in a cave

[firestarter]

Just to somewhat add to the chorus....
I'm in the US and would love to be able to download Dr. Who. I have no idea if the *new series sucks or not but I would be willing to pay to find out.


OK, well neither Dr Who or Top Gear are on there yet.

Current line up is:
Torchwood
Little Britain
Spooks
The Mighty Boosh
Life on Mars
The Catherine Tate Show
Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps

[baldspot07]

The prices are pretty reasonable if you buy a series.
Life on mars are currently cheaper than play.com and amazon.
Spooks series 6 isn't out on DVD till October and its preorder price is over £20

So what is the problem, don't want to pay it don't buy it.

Please remember this is BBC Worldwide not the BBC. iPlayer is by the BBC. Where as BBC Worldwide is the commerical arm that sells all the stuff from magazines,soundtracks, DVDs and the rights to make international versions such as the office UK and US versions.

[TheMacPotato]

I can watch the for free with the BBC iPlayer? I think this is aimed at non UK users.

[iJed]

Do you get Sky or some other TV programmes, or just use it to watch DVDs?

I got rid of my TV, stopped paying my licence fee, and I watch DVDs through a projector. I think the £1.89 for these is a bit steep - but at least I would only be paying for them once.

Then again, I'll probably just add them to my Amazon DVD hire list - even cheaper.

I think you've got the right idea here. I don't really watch anything on the TV anymore. Its mostly just DVDs and the occasional download on my computer so I'll probably do the same and dispose of the TV at some point in the near future.

[Digitaljim]

...Little Britain, The Catherine Tate Show and Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps...

Ironically, in the UK these are viewed as some of the worst comedy shows to have been produced by the BBC in recent years.

Check out real gems like The Thick of It, Human Remains, Ideal, Mighty Boosh, I'm Alan Partridge and Nighty Night.

You're in for a treat :).

[Eric S.]

But can we get reruns of Coupling?

[joseph2166]

What worries me is whether the BBC will start to require some proof of a licence fee for those watching on their web site. At present you only have to pay the fee if you have a TV and use it to view programmes live. I don't...

That would be good if they needed proof of purchase (as it were) - if they introduced a lesser charge just for internety things if you don't have a tv. Although having said that the tv license pays for bbc radio, and its fine for non-license fee payers to listen to that... hmm

[Bob Knob]

I see that some have already said that "Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps" is crap... but how could anyone go wrong with a title like that? You'd never get a beer titled show in the US.
I'd rather get an honest non-BBC review, what's it about and why is it crap?

[joseph2166]

I can watch the for free with the BBC iPlayer? I think this is aimed at non UK users.

You can't watch them on your iPod, appletv or watch them after the 7 days - people will buy them in the same way they buy bbc dvds - to watch them after the event.

[baldspot07]

where is robin hood and ashes to ashes as mentioned in the press release???:(

[iJed]

Presumably you are instulted therefore by DVD sales by the BBC? Or CD sales? There's no difference - if you want to watch the programes on your computer for free - i.e. what your license fee allows you (and anyone else in the uk who DOESN'T pay the fee) to do - then go to the iPlayer.

As for the whole license fee debate in general - I can see how you'd get annoyed by it if you never watch bbc things - but the snobish part of me wants to say why AREN'T you using the bbc - great news, great programmes - are you per chance the type who watches big brother and sky all the time and think thats quality entertainment? But thats just my snobish half ;)

I take great offence to being accused of watching big brother ;) . Mind you the BBC is not much better with garbage like Eastenders, a show where everyone hates each other and live in a pub; and Casualty, a show where somebody being mutilated by a combine harvester is seen as entertainment.

I do however like the BBC news but it hardly warrants the licence fee.

[joseph2166]

I take great insult to being accused of watching big brother ;) . Mind you the BBC is not much better with garbage like Eastenders - the show where everyone hates each other and lives in a pub - and Casualty - the show where somebody being mutilated by a combine harvister - are seen as entertainment.

I do however like the BBC news but it hardly warrants the licence fee.

lol spose i'll have to give you that - the bbc does try and tend to the masses with eastenders etc. But for me the news and the 'cultural' things the bbc does is what makes the money worth it - documentaries, the occasional good quality drama, (some) comedies - all without ads. makes the rest of tv look decidedly lacking.

[rikahlberg]

Torchwood=Good

Correction:
Torchwood Season 2 = Good (so far)
Torchwood Season 1 = Crap

Would be nice if Torchwood, Doctor Who, and Sarah Jane Adventures were available on iTunes outside the UK!

[tadunne]

I object to being asked to pay twice for these programs, so I will continue to download that rare creation ( a BBC program worth watching ) via Bit Torrent.

Doug

so the next time i'm in hmv I can just get a copy of life on mars on DVD and walk out the store without paying as I've already paid for it right?

iTunes purchase is same as DVD purchase you are buying the content to own. The licience fee pays for you to access the tv channel and watch it while its on its almost as if it was a rental. When it's gone you no longer have it.

Only part of the BBC funding comes from tv licence the rest comes from selling their show to other channels and DVD sales. iTunes is just an extension of the DVD sales nothing more. Sure DVD give you more extras but iTunes videos will be available quicker.

Hopefully apple and BBC can work out a catch up tv service based on the iTunes rental model making the shows only available for 7 days for free?

[twoodcc]

good news for our UKer's ;)

[Stella]

I find it strange that Apple want UK tax payers ( the ones who pay the license fees ) to pay for shows that have already been paid for. I expected them to be free for UK viewers.

Its a shame they've not been added to other stores, I'd pay for some of them.

( To the poster above a few - if your in Canada - the Sarah Jane chronicles are being shown on BBC Canada on Sundays )

I hope CBC shows the new series of Dr Who and Torchwood soon - both are great. Though, I've wondered why all the main characters in Torchwood are bi-sexual?!

[Apple Architect]

lol spose i'll have to give you that - the bbc does try and tend to the masses with eastenders etc. But for me the news and the 'cultural' things the bbc does is what makes the money worth it - documentaries, the occasional good quality drama, (some) comedies - all without ads. makes the rest of tv look decidedly lacking.

All I can say is......try living in the US. I spent 5 years living there and had dreams of programmes as bad as eastenders. The quality programming that is the BBC has to be missed to see how good it actually is.


I would gladly pay twice the license fee for the news and drama alone. Couple with the ability to have the BEST news site on the web makes me proud to be british.

We have to stop this whole complaining culture. The BBC IS the best television producer in the world without question. Having a film without adverts on mainstream television is a pleasure.

[Hattig]

Hmm.

Mighty Boosh - Excellent
Life On Mars - Excellent
Little Britain - So-So (Third Season is crap)
Two Pints - Trite crap unless you're drunk in which case it's strangely watchable until you actually start liking the characters (except for the squeaky one, although she's the hottest out of a bad bunch).

As far as I'm concerned all the BBC shows should be available for download for 30 days after being aired for free, or for a cover fee for the bandwidth and other additional costs to the BBC of providing the service (say 49p an episode). After that I guess it is fair that they make sales to make up money.

Whilst I dislike the mandatory nature of the BBC licence fee for TV owners, at least there aren't adverts (as you sit there busting for a piss) and there's a wide range of material.

[Rooey]

I would hope there's more to come from the BBC and iTunes - but generally, being an AppleTV owner I welcome the content!

I do feel that the (still 79p/song + 1.89 music video / TV episode) is way too much.

It actually works out cheaper to go buy the DVDs in many instances.

I also find that iTunes will "rip" my music CD's for use on my iPod... why not my DVD's too? I've paid for them already. (first person to mention breaking dvd encryption being technically illegal gets beaten over the head with the "so is taping a tv program" response).

[johnnyjibbs]

I was wrong in that other thread. This is just a rival service to DVD series, not an iPlayer alternative. Pity I don't like or watch any of the series on offer. I will only consider buying if they put some decent stuff on there - but then again the prices are fairly steep.

Still, I didn't realise that iPlayer streaming worked on the Mac. So it's not as bad as I thought....

[shov]

the license fee is worth it for radio 4 (and r3 if you're a music snob - i'm not but i appreciate the way it's there for when i get old and miserable. r5 is alright as well if you can stand the jingle every ten minutes...).

bbc tv went down the pan years ago when it tried to compete with itv and sky for viewers - it shouldn't be there to get hit ratings for the least cost (if you try that you end up with poor output like pop idol and that come dancing crap...), but for high quality programmes that educate and inform - like the series atom which was on recently (but not on iplayer due to rights issues...).

edit: oh alright, the mighty boosh is genius. but i bet it only cost 12p to make.

[Cabbit]

Presumably you are instulted therefore by DVD sales by the BBC? Or CD sales? There's no difference - if you want to watch the programes on your computer for free - i.e. what your license fee allows you (and anyone else in the uk who DOESN'T pay the fee) to do - then go to the iPlayer.

As for the whole license fee debate in general - I can see how you'd get annoyed by it if you never watch bbc things - but the snobish part of me wants to say why AREN'T you using the bbc - great news, great programmes - are you per chance the type who watches big brother and sky all the time and think thats quality entertainment? But thats just my snobish half ;)

Yes bask in the glory of being forced to pay for English television. And now twice glad i no longer have a tv. I tryed sky but paying for my tv twice is to much i only wanted the anime channel why should i have had to fund an English broadcaster.
And as for news and programing there are far better choices than the BBC look at that atrocity Doctor who way to spend a lot of money on bad effects and bad acting.
To be honist if you defend the programing of the BBC (Eastenders lol) then you are the prefect market for big brother as its equally the same level of drivel.

[Shoesy]

I gladly pay my license fee, think the BBC is brilliant and will gladly pay a measly £1.89 each time I want to watch and then keep an episode of one of my favourite shows through my shiny :apple:tv.

Ripping DVD's is so last year.

Yay Apple. Go BBC!

[baldspot07]

Robin hood series 2 = £21.99. NOT even got a release date for DVD yet come on the Beeb......keep them coming I love this show.

[Shoesy]

Robin hood series 2 = £21.99. NOT even got a release date for DVD yet come on the Beeb......keep them coming I love this show.

Yay! Woot!

I love things sometimes, and this is one of those things.

[Stella]

Yes bask in the glory of being forced to pay for English television. And now twice glad i no longer have a tv. I tryed sky but paying for my tv twice is to much i only wanted the anime channel why should i have had to fund an English broadcaster.
And as for news and programing there are far better choices than the BBC look at that atrocity Doctor who way to spend a lot of money on bad effects and bad acting.
To be honist if you defend the programing of the BBC (Eastenders lol) then you are the prefect market for big brother as its equally the same level of drivel.

Cable isn't that much better IMO. Yes, you get hundreds of channels.... many of which show the same stuff as other channels. If you like endless epsodies of Friends, Simpsons etc, then you'll love it.

Compared to UK TV and cable over here in Canada, I don't notice a lot of difference. Hundreds of channels full of endless crap, or 5 channels full of crap... with a small content of good stuff.

The scurge of TV these days is the dumbed down reality TV.

[tba03]

one day they will understand that with the internet there is no borders, I want british shows, Im sure australian wants them too and american shows too (i'm in canada, choice is pretty poor)

[firestarter]

the license fee is worth it for radio 4 (and r3 if you're a music snob - i'm not but i appreciate the way it's there for when i get old and miserable. r5 is alright as well if you can stand the jingle every ten minutes...).


It's a television licence. I don't have a TV or pay the licence, but I listen to Radio 4 all the time (and I'm not doing anything illegal). If the BBC wanted a radio licence I'd be happy to pay it, but that's not how it works.


bbc tv went down the pan years ago when it tried to compete with itv and sky for viewers - it shouldn't be there to get hit ratings for the least cost (if you try that you end up with poor output like pop idol, that come dancing crap...), but for high quality programmes that educate and inform - like the series atom which was on recently (but not on iplayer due to rights issues...).

Agreed. I watched some BBC over Christmas - and I couldn't watch for more than a few minutes. Most of their programmes are so lazy these days - lots of rapid editing, the odd jolly snatch of pop music thrown in between every bit of talking (to keep the proles awake), same old safe presenters for every show and they never miss an opportunity for a bit of back-slapping and self congratulation. Lazy, low quality, patronising rubbish.

[elppa]

Am I the only one who thinks it strange BBC Worldwide are selling just to UK residents? I think this may be extended in the future to all iTunes stores. Also, hopefully other broadcasters will be encouraged by the BBCs lead (both in the UK and abroad). I think this could be quite significant for Apple.

Apple Uk marketing must be happy as well. Content sells TVs.

[Topher15]

So many people are confusing iPlayer with the BBC Worldwide iTunes Store.

iPlayer gives you access to free repeats of shows for up to 7 days.

The iTunes store allows you to purchase BBC shows (you know, to keep forever) much in the same way as if you went to HMV or Amazon and bought the DVD.

To the people whinging about iPlayer... you're acting as if we can't even access the service... we can, we just can't download them (yet) but who cares anyway. Downloading them would be more convenient but it's not like we can't watch the shows.

I can watch the for free with the BBC iPlayer? I think this is aimed at non UK users.
iPlayer only show it's content for 7 days. You can't watch most of the shows in the new iTunes store on iPlayer.

And it's only for UK viewers (maybe it'll expand to others though?)

[Shoesy]

Yah boo to all you life is so horrible moaners!

BBC is great! Brilliant!

Robin Hood- Yay!

Mighty Boosh- Smashing!

Little Britain- Award Winning!

Life on Mars- Got the Master out of Doctor Who in it!

Yay! Woo! Yay!

[Stella]

It's a television licence. I don't have a TV or pay the licence, but I listen to Radio 4 all the time (and I'm not doing anything illegal). If the BBC wanted a radio licence I'd be happy to pay it, but that's not how it works.




The license fee also funds BBC Radio too...

( though you won't be thrown in Jail for listening to radio without a TV license, of course )

[jbernie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licencefee/

Much appreaciated, I do like this "A black and white TV licence is £45.50."

Surely the Beeb can use some of the money to send the mafia around to encourage upgrades? :)

[aperantos]

Just to add - probably as much for the sake of other British members, let alone Americans and Canadians - that the majority of western European countries use a TV licence fee system to fund public broadcasting. But only in the UK and Scandinavia do you get commercial free television in return.

In the rest of Europe public broadcasters also carry advertising, sometimes only during certain hours of the day, in addition to being funded through a licence.

The only countries in western Europe not to require a TV licence are Spain and Portugal, and the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium. In all of which public broadcasting is funded by a combination of advertising and public funding through general taxation.

Almost 20% of the BBCs funding for public broadcasting comes from BBC Worldwide, with the rest coming from public funding through the licence fee.

So for those complaining about having to pay 'again' to buy programmes from iTunes or on DVDs, the alternative to doing this would be for an increase of up to 25% in the licence fee to make up for that income.

Michael.

[Cabbit]

Just to add - probably as much for the sake of other British members, let alone Americans and Canadians - that the majority of western European countries use a TV licence fee system to fund public broadcasting. But only in the UK and Scandinavia do you get commercial free television in return.

In the rest of Europe public broadcasters also carry advertising, sometimes only during certain hours of the day, in addition to being funded through a licence.

The only countries in western Europe not to require a TV licence are Spain and Portugal, and the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium. In all of which public broadcasting is funded by a combination of advertising and public funding through general taxation.

Almost 20% of the BBCs funding for public broadcasting comes from BBC Worldwide, with the rest coming from public funding through the licence fee.

So for those complaining about having to pay 'again' to buy programmes from iTunes or on DVDs, the alternative to doing this would be for an increase of up to 25% in the licence fee to make up for that income.

Michael.

If the BBC can not stand on its own feet without forcing people to pay for channels they do not watch then like every other company they need to answer to there share holders and step up the programing to make it worth wile or like company's do.. go bust.

[JQW]

I appear to have stumbled upon the Daily Mail website by mistake...

[joseph2166]

We have to stop this whole complaining culture. The BBC IS the best television producer in the world without question. Having a film without adverts on mainstream television is a pleasure.

Oh I quite agree with you - long live the bbc!

[Stella]

If the BBC can not stand on its own feet without forcing people to pay for channels they do not watch then like every other company they need to answer to there share holders and step up the programing to make it worth wile or like company's do.. go bust.

From my memories of ITV, the content was pure *****: Soap Operas ( multiple), reality TV and police / detective related shows.

British TV would suffer greatly if BBC was forced to compete commercially. You'd probably never have great shows such as The Two Ronnies, Porridge, Only Fools & Horses, Men behaving Badly ( though originally ITV ), Dr Who, Torchwood etc etc.

In its current state, the BBC can take more risks in its programming.

The UK is always on a quest to destroy its great institutions in the sake of 'progress' and 'change'.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Meh, lame. I was hoping for free rentals of BBC shows on AppleTV for 7 days after broadcast. Maybe they'll add that too when the Movies rental service appears in the UK (in about 2020). An AppleTV that can access all the stuff that iPlayer gets as free rentals (and free HD versions too) would appear under my TV in milliseconds after launch.

Edit: Thinking about it, I'm sure this wouldn't be too hard for them to do. Free access via AppleTV 'rentals' for 7 days after broadcast and then available for archive purchase 8 days after release. Now *that* seems pretty darned good and would give a whole lot of meaning to the "8 days after broadcast" bit. Now we just have to wait for the AppleTV movie rental service to launch in the UK.

[Peace]

So let me get this straight.

Citizens in the UK already pay a hefty fee to watch BBC programs then get to pay more to download them from iTunes while the US gets American Idol ?


I'm gonna go shoot myself..:rolleyes:

[jacg]

It may have been said already, but why can't UK licence payers download recent programmes for free using the secure rental technology already built into iTunes? (In the same way that iPlayer does for certain users I think). That way licence payers have access to the content and the option to buy to keep if they want (also via iTunes, or via DVD, etc).

Maybe it will come?

[DaBrain]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licencefee/

Thanks for the link. The below info really took me by surprise, especially the last sentence:
The annual cost of a colour TV licence (set by the Government) is currently £135.50. That works out at £11.29 per month - about 37p per day for each household.

A black and white TV licence is £45.50.

The licence (whether colour or black and white) is free if you are 75 or over, and half-price if you are registered blind.

Say what? --))) :rolleyes:

[QuarterSwede]

Please dear Apple god (steve) Top Gear available in US and I will spend every cent I have on it.
Amen brother! I'm tired of seeing it "new" 2 YEARS after it was originally taped.

[connectcctv@mac]

Oh I quite agree with you - long live the bbc!


God Save the BBC and the Queen.


Please stop complaining about the License fee. Look how much people pay for Sky and all those crap ads. Just look at what we get compared with rest of the world. Top quality Radio and mostly TV. Its about the only thing the rest of world wished they had.

[garty]

I appear to have stumbled upon the Daily Mail website by mistake...

+++ Best comment so far!

[skiwhitman]

nevermind - found the post by iJed
thanks

[atlendor]

But can we get reruns of Coupling?

Yep, I'd concur with that. Good call.

In fact (in my opinion) the available iTunes BBC shows are fairly bad. Where is Blackadder? How about Absolutely fabulous?
:p

[Sandfleaz]

Would love to be able to get Torchwood!
.

[babyj]

The licence (whether colour or black and white) is free if you are 75 or over, and half-price if you are registered blind.

Say what? --))) :rolleyes:

I have a laugh at them charging blind people every time I renew my license. I've always wondered how they came up with that - maybe it is because they only miss out on half of it as they can hear the tv, but not watch it.

Anyone who reckons the license is a rip off needs a reality check. The amount of quality programming you get for the money is pretty incredible; sports, comedy, drama, news - all of which is the best in the UK by some distance and you don't have to put up with constant ad breaks. Plus its all covered through radio, the internet and digital tv as well.

It also pays for BBC World Service radio, it might not be of any use to anyone in the UK but its an extremely highly regarded station all around the world. Plenty of people in other countries rely on it to provide unbiased news coverage, which simply isn't available for them anywhere else.

Sure it would be great if we got access to the entire BBC archive for free as well but that isn't how it works. The tv license covers you to watch / listen again for 7 days after broadcast but that is it and that's the way it always has been.

I hope they start selling to other countries via iTunes as well - the potential extra income it could generate would pay for a lot of new productions. Hopefully they'll sort something out to add the iPlayer service to iTunes, so we can watch on our iPods rather than just through their website.

[cecemf]

So how does this work for non-UKers? Another question might be... As a UKer, can you download US shows? I'd love to get some BBC documentary stuff (and pay for it too!), as I can't access the site to watch.

No in the UK we can not acces the US content, for exemple in the UK we have only TV show (very very few) not movies on iTunes.

This is scandalous that we have to pay on iTunes for BBC Series when is free to windows user via the BBC websites (iPlayer, not compatible with mac until end 2008)

I'M NOT GOING TO PAY MY TV LICENCE IF I HAVE TO PAY TWICE ! more at $200 licence !!!!

[babyj]

This is scandalous that we have to pay on iTunes for BBC Series when is free to windows user via the BBC websites (iPlayer, not compatible with mac until end 2008).

You can watch for free on the BBC websites from your Mac as well.

What you can't do is download content to watch on your iPod or through iTunes, that is the bit that is coming by the end of 2008. Or earlier if they can sort a deal out with Apple to use their DRM - its the lack of a suitable DRM that is stopping them from doing it at the moment.

[leumluath]

It would be very nice is those of us who paid the £120 ($240) per year to the BBC to watch their broadcasts could get their TV Shows through iTunes for free. Then that really would be good news!

This current price makes me want to look else where.

Is that all you lot are bloody whining about, with the terrible license fee? If you want the BBC (America) in the states, here's how it goes:

It's not broadcast, so pay for satellite or cable. In my case, Comcast. It's not on basic cable, you have to pay extra for digital. Oops, not on "starter" digital either, have to pay more for "Digital Classic." So:

$55/month basic cable
$15/month Digital Classic
$10/month extra fees, taxes, and other charges.

So, figure $80/month for the Beeb plus lots of drivel, all filled with commercials. $960 per year. Four times your terrible "license fee!" And in my case, I want to see the Formula 1 races. For that I need to add a "sports Package" to get Speed TV and a lot of other stuff I don't want. That's another $84/year.

[jemoth]

Just to somewhat add to the chorus....
I'm in the US and would love to be able to download Dr. Who. I have no idea if the *new series sucks or not but I would be willing to pay to find out.




*new -I get the 60's - 80's series at the local library and haven't seen any of the 2000's.

The new series rocks, you can probably get it from Netflix, or, if you have patience, Acquisition.

[mudaudio]

Thinking about it, I'm sure this wouldn't be too hard for them to do. Free access via AppleTV 'rentals' for 7 days after broadcast and then available for archive purchase 8 days after release. Now *that* seems pretty darned good and would give a whole lot of meaning to the "8 days after broadcast" bit. Now we just have to wait for the AppleTV movie rental service to launch in the UK.

it certainly gives meaning to the 8 days thing. I hope this happens, because i'm not interested in 'owning' most of the content, just catching up aka iplayer. and the ability to access via apple tv would make me buy one too!

[TurboSC]

Top Gear!!!

Y, E, S, Yes.

[BklynKid]

Silly Brits, that's not how you spell "Program" :p

[Spanky Deluxe]

it certainly gives meaning to the 8 days thing. I hope this happens, because i'm not interested in 'owning' most of the content, just catching up aka iplayer. and the ability to access via apple tv would make me buy one too!

Exactly. In theory, everyone would be happy. Part of the TV license money would go towards paying Apple for the bandwidth used to broadcast it to AppleTVs (which would still be peanuts compared to through-the-air broadcasting costs), the BBC and the companies making the shows would get their money for long term purchases just like they do for buying DVDs, Apple would get money from the BBC to cover the bandwidth used and for all shows sold, Apple would get money for the purchases of AppleTVs (I'd buy one) and it would in general bring more customers through iTunes. From the consumer's point of view, we'd be getting exactly what we get with TV/DVD releases now but in a digital format.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Silly Brits, that's not how you spell "Program" :p

/gets out his Oxford English Dictionary... :rolleyes::p

[mudaudio]

re. the license fee / why isn't this free thing...

I think when we're talking about 'owning' content it's fair enough to charge for it, license fee or not.... That said, if we don't see the iplayer via itunes anytime soon I really could begin to moan. I mean, the BBC are clearly cultivating a relationship with apple; and, the rental mechanism is there (with time expiry drm restritions) making it easy to control in exactly the same way as iplayer for the PC. It seems to be the only/best way to offer the same functionality to mac users.

Therefore, IF we don't see iplayer via itunes (or even via the bbc website), I would see it as a 'commercial' or strategic decision NOT to do so, perhaps to drive the download sales we've seen launched today. That would be a big shame and as a UK TV license payer and mac owner I'd be pretty annoyed....

Arguably, making such decisions to stifle functionality in one area to drive revenue in another has become a neat trick for apple - where did wireless HDD time machine functionality dissapear to?!... (hopefully i'm soon proved wrong on this one!) - but anyway, I'd be pretty sad to see the BBC learning such tricks!

But as mentioned, the 8 days thing makes me hope it's coming!

[cecemf]

Just to add - probably as much for the sake of other British members, let alone Americans and Canadians - that the majority of western European countries use a TV licence fee system to fund public broadcasting. But only in the UK and Scandinavia do you get commercial free television in return.

In the rest of Europe public broadcasters also carry advertising, sometimes only during certain hours of the day, in addition to being funded through a licence.

The only countries in western Europe not to require a TV licence are Spain and Portugal, and the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium. In all of which public broadcasting is funded by a combination of advertising and public funding through general taxation.

Almost 20% of the BBCs funding for public broadcasting comes from BBC Worldwide, with the rest coming from public funding through the licence fee.

So for those complaining about having to pay 'again' to buy programmes from iTunes or on DVDs, the alternative to doing this would be for an increase of up to 25% in the licence fee to make up for that income.

Michael.

In France they want to taxe the ads on the net and give the money to the public channels (6 in total) in return they have to stop any type of advertising and commercial on TV !!1 how heaven is that !

We will be finelly able to watch LOST without 3 commercials in the middle !!!

[Stella]

Silly Brits, that's not how you spell "Program" :p

The uses of programme vs program:

1. I'm going to watch a TV programme.
2. I'm going to use a software program.
3. I'm going to read the course programme.

[gkarris]

/gets out his Oxford English Dictionary... :rolleyes::p

My Webster's says it's "program".... :eek:

[Rocketman]

1.89 pounds is about 3.78 dollars. Can we buy them in the USA for the currency adjusted price? Can people in the ROW buy them for the currency adjusted price?

Fair question.

Rocketman

[gkarris]

1.89 pounds is about 3.78 dollars. Can we buy them in the USA for the currency adjusted price? Can people in the ROW buy them for the currency adjusted price?

Fair question.

Rocketman

No dude, licensing issues. We can only buy program(me)s ;) in the iTunes store corresponding in the country we live in...

[BklynKid]

The uses of programme vs program:

1. I'm going to watch a TV programme.
2. I'm going to use a software program.
3. I'm going to read the course programme.

You obviously didn't get the sarcastic nature of my comment. :rolleyes:

[synth3tik]

I want some BBC in the US, I want my Red Dwarf!:(

[Stella]

You obviously didn't get the sarcastic nature of my comment. :rolleyes:

Actually, I did ( get the nature of your comment ):rolleyes:

I added the programme vs program bit for non-standard-English speaking people... ( i.e., any version of English that isn't British English ). I thought it may be interesting for others to see how the different spellings are used.

[Topher15]

This is scandalous that we have to pay on iTunes for BBC Series when is free to windows user via the BBC websites (iPlayer, not compatible with mac until end 2008)

I'M NOT GOING TO PAY MY TV LICENCE IF I HAVE TO PAY TWICE ! more at $200 licence !!!!
The content on iPlayer is not the same as the content available to purchase BBC iTunes Store.

And let's repeat for those who are just not getting it:

iPlayer works with Mac's

Has anyone who thinks iPlayer doesn't work with Mac's even been on the iPlayer website? :rolleyes:

[chuckles:)]

All of the itunes content should be available internationally.

CBC stuff in the british store, BBC stuff in the American store, ABC/NBC stuff in the canadian store etc. This whole business of trying to keep international borders in place on the web is rediculous. thats why i have multiple itunes accounts in different countries.

[streboRekiM]

Please dear Apple god (steve) Top Gear available in US and I will spend every cent I have on it.

+1 :)

[tirerim]

My Webster's says it's "program".... :eek:

Webster was an American...

(He was also personally responsible for introducing most of the differences between British and American spelling, which appeared in his first dictionary.)

[Dunk the Lunk]

1.89 pounds is about 3.78 dollars. Can we buy them in the USA for the currency adjusted price? Can people in the ROW buy them for the currency adjusted price?

Fair question.

Rocketman

I'm not saying the price difference isn't wrong but Dr Who Season 3 DVD is currently £48.99 on Amazon. It has 13 episodes which equals £3.77 per episode. When it gets released it'll probably be £21.99 (like Robin Hood Season 2) which equals £1.69 per episode

[Grasbak]

the more you think out about it, what a great idea!

the BBC could offer a 7 day rental for all their HD programming on a :apple:TV iplayer app.... as we know, at present to watch BBC HD you need to have SKY. What a coup it would be for apple to essentially offer a free HD channel to UK users (with the ability to purchase after days), that should shift a few :apple:TV units!

[Roba]

I cannot see that many people going for this when you have BBC iPlayer for free and also there is BBC3 for those who have missed some of their favourite soaps etc.
I think £1.89 is too steep i think 99p would have been a better price.

[Kelmon]

Huzzah! Regardless of your feelings about being asked to pay for something that you already paid for (personally this does not apply as I have a UK iTunes account, live in Belgium and therefore can't access the iPlayer service) this represents something very important for the UK iTunes Store - local content. As thrilled as I was that Apple started selling TV Shows outside the US I was pretty annoyed that all it amounted to were the same US shows that the US iTunes Store launched with. This is good news as far as I am concerned - here's hoping that the selection is gradually expanded.

[tibi08]

Why would anyone pay for Top Gear or Red Dwarf when we have Dave?

[edesignuk]

They're crazing to think Brits will pay again for what they 1) Already pay for in their licence fee 2) Can get for free with iPlayer.

They should cost a few pence to UK peeps for bandwidth, and full price to non-UK to raise funds.

[Phil A.]

I live in the UK, pay my license fee and think this is a brilliant move by the BBC. I've previously bought DVDs of Life on Mars, Blackadder, Doctor Who, etc , etc because I like watching the programmes multiple times when I feel like it. Previously, I've ripped them to iTunes and am perfectly happy to buy them direct from iTunes simply for the convenience it gives me.
As with everything in life, if you don't like it, don't buy it :)
As an aside, these programmes are made available by BBC Worldwide which is the commercial arm of the BBC and not funded by license fee money (OK, the original programmes may have been but I believe BBC Worldwide pay a fee to the BBC to get these programmes)

[Dunk the Lunk]

They're crazing to think Brits will pay again for what they 1) Already pay for in their licence fee 2) Can get for free with iPlayer.

They should cost a few pence to UK peeps for bandwidth, and full price to non-UK to raise funds.

1) The license fee only pays for live TV. Selling programmes on iTunes may result in raising additional revenues for the BBC. However this is also true for the american networks. The TV programmes they put on iTunes have already been paid for by advertising revenues, but they still charge for downloads. The BBC does not charge costs only for dvds (see my post about the Dr Who dvd). It sells them at a commercial rate so why are you expecting it to charge for bandwith only for downloads?

2)If you can find any programme on the iPlayer that is also on iTunes i'll eat my 20" iMac. The iPlayer is catch up TV for things you've missed, but only from the last 7 days and you can't keep it or (as far as i'm aware transfer it to any other device). Great for soaps or stuff you'll only watch once. BBC on iTunes only has programmes that are at least 8 days old, is for keeps for ever and should be transferable to your ipod/iphone/atv. Bring on Blackadder!!!

[stekerrod]

Why would anyone pay for Top Gear or Red Dwarf when we have Dave?

id pay because on dave they cut bits out to fit in the 3 or 4 ad breaks! although top gear with adverts in beats no top gear at all! saying that my sky+ box is full of top gear!

but why is spooks series 6 available on iTunes when it aint getting released on dvd for nearly 8 months:@

it's a good start but i hope they start adding alot more of the bbc shows, especially the david attenborough stuff and planet earth (as well as top gear) because that's awesome and i'd buy it straight away!

[Markleshark]

Shouldn't have been free (After all, the DVDs are not) but a little cheaper woul have been nice.

However, I'm just happy the content is there. And, FWIW, I'd pay for things like Top Gear. Well, thats pretty much it... But yeah...

[Schtumple]

Why would anyone pay for Top Gear or Red Dwarf when we have Dave?

Dave is the mothership of awesome, QI, Top Gear, Who's Line is it Anyway etc best channel ever :D

I'd love to see a Dave iPlayer, although it's run by the BBC so I'm sure they could incorporate this into the BBC iPlayer.

[djellison]

iPlayer works with Mac's


PARTIALLY.

On a PC you can download a better quality file, and have several days to watch it. On a Mac, it's basically you-tube for BBC - unreliable, current connection reliant.

Doug

[camsoft]

Can I just say that the BBC iTunes programmes are supplied by BBC Worldwide not the BBC.

BBC Worldwide is a commercial business, an arm of the BBC Corporation.
All DVD, Videos, CD's, Magazine, iTunes Downloads etc. and distributed by BBC Worldwide.

The license fee funds the BBC Corporation so that it can develop programmes, this is it main source of income. All other (commercial) channels are funded by adverts. The BBC has no advert breaks.

The BBC is well worth the license fee in my opinion, some of the shows the BBC produce are some of the best programmes on telly, included Planet Earth, BBC News, Top Gear etc.

[MacBiscuit]

To those complaining about the TV licence: Suppose the programmes weren't on iTunes. How would you get them if you want to watch them after broadcast? Well, 1) view on BBC's website (for a limited time) or 2) buy them on DVD.


Or 3) record them using HDD/DVD recorder, or even a VCR - remember, like we've been doing since the eighties.... :rolleyes:

[Mr Ikasu]

While I would of course love to have free shows on a rental scheme through iTunes. Just think of the uproar this would cause in the anti-Apple community.

I'm not sure the trust would be too happy with the BBC providing so much free content on a proprietary system which isn't even theirs. It would shift so many Apple TVs and profit for Apple that I don't think the BBC would be able to do it from their impartiality bit.

I'm not saying I don't want it to happen but I'm just not sure whether it ever will.

[Event Horizon]

PARTIALLY.

On a PC you can download a better quality file, and have several days to watch it. On a Mac, it's basically you-tube for BBC - unreliable, current connection reliant.


totally agree - we've paid for this content and it's discrimination to make us pay for downloads when PC users don't have to - the BBC are dragging their feet and it's patently unfair. they've already been warned by Parliament about this

hell they use Macs to make the shows but we can't use them to watch them the way we should be able to - you unpick that one:confused:

[DAC47]

i can't believe how many people are getting confused by this

iplayer (flash based catch up paid for out of the licence fee)

and itunes (BBC worldwide product, no time limit, paid for download, analogues to retail DVD)

Were Mac users were supposed to be the media savvy ones aren't we?

[ATG]

Uh oh. £1.89? Not going to be popular. I foresee an outcry.

On a Mac, it's basically you-tube for BBC - unreliable, current connection reliant.
Indeed. Not to mention that it often crashes my BeBox.

[brucebrendon]

maybe BBC are narked that Apple were gonna call the :apple:TV iTV being one of their UK competitors.

no i dont really think so, but sticking the generic 'i' branding on on something that wont iApple is 'i'ronically rubbing the face in 'i't somewhat.

all painful puns intended

[nickf]

the license fee is worth it for radio 4 (and r3 if you're a music snob - i'm not but i appreciate the way it's there for when i get old and miserable. r5 is alright as well if you can stand the jingle every ten minutes...).


Absolutely! R4 really is a national treasure. It's the only station I listen to (and no telly in the house either,so go figure :) )

[Dunk the Lunk]

totally agree - we've paid for this content and it's discrimination to make us pay for downloads when PC users don't have to - the BBC are dragging their feet and it's patently unfair. they've already been warned by Parliament about this

hell they use Macs to make the shows but we can't use them to watch them the way we should be able to - you unpick that one:confused:


You haven't 'paid for this content'.

Unless you've paid for it on DVD etc.

If you mean you've paid for a TV licence that means you've paid to watch live TV.

Windows users have to pay for BBC programmes not shown in the last 7 days just like mac users.

[DAC47]

Uh oh. £1.89? Not going to be popular. I foresee an outcry.

its a bit much fore a half hour comedy but it's not to bad for a full 60 minutes show like Spooks or Life on Mars. especially when you think US shows like Lost are that price and only 42 minutes long

[Dunk the Lunk]

i can't believe how many people are getting confused by this

iplayer (flash based catch up paid for out of the licence fee)

and itunes (BBC worldwide product, no time limit, paid for download, analogues to retail DVD)

Were Mac users were supposed to be the media savvy ones aren't we?

Here here.
I can't believe the idiots out there who are writing this confused rubbish

[DAC47]

totally agree - we've paid for this content and it's discrimination to make us pay for downloads when PC users don't have to - the BBC are dragging their feet and it's patently unfair. they've already been warned by Parliament about this

hell they use Macs to make the shows but we can't use them to watch them the way we should be able to - you unpick that one:confused:

The BBC have said this service will be on Macs by the end of the year, its not like they can get an off the shelf solution for Macs like they can with PC's

the download version of the iplayer isn't very popular anyway, the new flash version has been much more successful

look a it this way PC users have to use Windows so it all balances out:rolleyes:

[needthephone]

As someone who once lived in the UK I can also agree that the beeb makes excellent programmes. I too would take the worst of the BBC for what I have now on free to air in Australia. Sorry but its terrible. We have cable and thankfully can get a lot of UK shows.

SBS (free to air ) does show Top Gear though.

Why can't this be available outside the UK though????-heres hoping. If they do I'll get an apple TV I think

[firestarter]

The BBC have said this service will be on Macs by the end of the year, its not like they can get an off the shelf solution for Macs like they can with PC's


It looks like Apple HAS now implemented an off the shelf solution for this. Apples DRM now supports content which times out after 30 days, and which deletes itself 24 hours after it's first played (movie rentals). If the BBC can generate quicktime movies set to a 7 day expity, then they're all set.

[Apple Architect]

The uses of programme vs program:

1. I'm going to watch a TV programme.
2. I'm going to use a software program.
3. I'm going to read the course programme.

Don't forget the classic...

I'm going to program the video to record the programme about the university programme.

[duklaprague]

I can watch the for free with the BBC iPlayer? I think this is aimed at non UK users.

Pretty much - I think most people missed that this is a deal with BBC Worldwide, so effectively akin to the provision of BBC content abroad.

Nothing to do with the licence fee really, except that BBWW is the commercial arm of the BBC, and profits it makes from something like this is ploughed back into the BBC pot in the same way that revenue from DVD sales, programme sales to the US market etc is.

Shame they're not using it as a stop gap to getting a download version of the iPlayer working on Macs, but I guess that would only complicate things further.

As far as I know, the BBC are hoping to make use of Adobe Air to implement the Mac download version of the iPlayer.

Although the idea of getting BBC content at cost after broadcast, unfortunately it's not that simple.

People will argue that 'they've already paid for it' so should be able to (at cost at least), but unfortunately the point is that they haven't paid for it at all.

Rights are very complex - so when the BBC makes or commissions a programme, that only pays for the rights to show that programme in a particular timeframe.

If they had to pay to provide that content to people permanently, then the associated rights costs would be many times than those the BBC currently pay.

it's explained much better in this blog - quite far down, under 'Hey! We've paid for this stuff!

Blog about the iPlayer and DRM (http://www.planetbods.org/blog/2007/10/29/bbciplayer.live)

[FleurDuMal]

As for the whole license fee debate in general - I can see how you'd get annoyed by it if you never watch bbc things - but the snobish part of me wants to say why AREN'T you using the bbc - great news, great programmes - are you per chance the type who watches big brother and sky all the time and think thats quality entertainment? But thats just my snobish half ;)

Have you watched BBC News recently?!

[arkitect]

Have you watched BBC News recently?!

Too true… :(
Only difference between BBC and Sky is the size of the banners crawling across the screen "Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News!…"

It seems people cling to fond memories of a BBC that (perhaps) once was but has now succumbed to market forces…

[Roba]

A lot of media streaming stuff does not work on Macs without Bootcamp. This problem has arisen because of Digital Rights Management issues. Maybe Apple are somewhat to blame in this as well. If Windows player for MacOSX was still in production this problem would not exist.

The best solution for Mac users is just to buy Bootcamp or update their computer to an Intel Mac one that is what i did as i wanted to use Channel 4's E4 service and watch other stuff that was Windows only as well. This is the thing that puts me of from buying a 12 inch Powerbook because i know i will be limited when it comes to watching stuff like this.

I don't know how the BBC are going to get round this DRM problem.

[weckart]

The licence (whether colour or black and white) is free if you are 75 or over, and half-price if you are registered blind.

Say what? --))) :rolleyes:

Apparently, the mere fact that you are blind means you must live on your own and never have friends or family around. How about just regarding this as a discount extended to any family with a member registered blind? All you need to do is register the relevant TVs in that family member's name.

Is that all you lot are bloody whining about, with the terrible license fee? If you want the BBC (America) in the states, here's how it goes:...........So, figure $80/month for the Beeb plus lots of drivel, all filled with commercials. $960 per year. Four times your terrible "license fee!" And in my case, I want to see the Formula 1 races. For that I need to add a "sports Package" to get Speed TV and a lot of other stuff I don't want. That's another $84/year.

Thanks for the much needed reality check, but it won't stop people complaining about the licence fee. People seem to forget that there is only so much advertising to go around, as the print media can attest. If the BBC were required to compete in that space, other commerical stations would struggle to raise enough revenue to maintain the quality of their current output. Two things are likely to happen: Either the revenue per minute of advertising plummets and you get more adverts per hour of programming, or the stations go for even cheaper programming ("reality" programmes and phone-in quizzes). Either way, it is hard to see how the viewer benefits.

[The Phazer]

It looks like Apple HAS now implemented an off the shelf solution for this. Apples DRM now supports content which times out after 30 days, and which deletes itself 24 hours after it's first played (movie rentals). If the BBC can generate quicktime movies set to a 7 day expity, then they're all set.

It's not off the shelf - only Apple can generate the Fairplay DRM, and they don't licence the software used to create it out.

So Apple will have to either start licencing it before the BBC can use it (unlikely) or do it for the BBC. Normally they're only willing to do this if there's some money in it, which is why they'll do it for WW's paid downloads but arranging free rentals is likely to be much more problematic for the BBC.

Phazer

[ictiosapiens]

so the next time i'm in hmv I can just get a copy of life on mars on DVD and walk out the store without paying as I've already paid for it right?

iTunes purchase is same as DVD purchase you are buying the content to own. The licience fee pays for you to access the tv channel and watch it while its on its almost as if it was a rental. When it's gone you no longer have it.

Only part of the BBC funding comes from tv licence the rest comes from selling their show to other channels and DVD sales. iTunes is just an extension of the DVD sales nothing more. Sure DVD give you more extras but iTunes videos will be available quicker.

Hopefully apple and BBC can work out a catch up tv service based on the iTunes rental model making the shows only available for 7 days for free?


Well, try going to CEX or Ebay and sell those itunes shows... oh wait, you can't...

[Dunk the Lunk]

Well, try going to CEX or Ebay and sell those itunes shows... oh wait, you can't...

No you can't. But you can't (legally) transfer your DVD's to another device either, but you can with the iTunes programmes so it's swings and roundabouts.

[capoeirista]

I got rid of my TV (and stopped forking out for the license) because most of what is available on the BBC isn't as brilliant as it's reputation suggests. There are exceptions (BOOSH!!!!, Life on Earth, Top Gear, and a few others) but a lot of it is tosh. Cheaply made reality programmes, and daytime filler, in fact, very much like it's commercial rivals. If I need to watch something I'll catch it on the iPlayer. I doubt I'll be using this iTunes service, as if there's something I really want to keep (Mighty Boosh/Alan Partridge box set for example) I'll buy it on DVD.

Oh and as mentioned above BBC Radio4 ftw (and BBC 6music of course).

[TheNightPhoenix]

Or 3) record them using HDD/DVD recorder, or even a VCR - remember, like we've been doing since the eighties.... :rolleyes:

He was talking about people who decided they wanted to watch the programme after the programme had been broadcast. Without a usable time machine my DVD recorder can't record something after it has been broadcast.

[ictiosapiens]

... Without a usable time machine my DVD recorder can't record something after it has been broadcast.

What model have you got?????? It sounds really rubbish!!! :p

[davidje13]

A lot of the anti-BBC comments here sound like a renting/buying misunderstanding.

The BBC TV license pays for you to watch LIVE TV.
The iPlayer lets you RENT (most) programs which aired in the last 7 days for 30 days (7 days after you start watching) for FREE.
This new iTunes deal lets you BUY older programs, much like buying the DVDs as has already been said, and it looks like it's a good price too.

(I'm not speaking as a fan of the BBC. I'm a student who doesn't have a TV so doesn't need a TV license, and I've seen just how nasty the company can get when you're not paying them money...)

The only problem I have with this is that the only decent show they've added is Life on Mars... Add QI! Top Gear! Dr Who!

[Axegrinder]

well, this link certainly proves the iPlayer is being considered for the AppleTV:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/01/ip_to_tv_your_comments.html

Let's hope it happens soon. I would definitely buy one if it did.

[FleurDuMal]

Too true… :(
Only difference between BBC and Sky is the size of the banners crawling across the screen "Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News!…"

It seems people cling to fond memories of a BBC that (perhaps) once was but has now succumbed to market forces…

Whereas once we had Moira Stewart and Anna Ford, we now have the likes of Fiona Bruce and (*spit spit spit*) Natasha 'Spangles' Kaplinksy.

:(

[Dunk the Lunk]

(*spit spit spit*) Natasha 'Spangles' Kaplinksy.

:(

Shes on five now thankfully

[DAC47]

well, this link certainly proves the iPlayer is being considered for the AppleTV:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/01/ip_to_tv_your_comments.html

Let's hope it happens soon. I would definitely buy one if it did.

interesting but that's going to be a hell of a lot of bandwidth for the BBC to pay for

I downloaded the free first episode of "Damages" from itunes and that was over 500mb. The ISPs are going to have fit if 25 thousand people try to download an episode of doctor who simultaneously !

[BongoBanger]

We have replay on Virgin Media, repeats on BBC 3 and iPlayer where you can grab the file if you've the right software. iTunes might be useful for older programmes but it's a big case of "so what?" at the moment.

[arkitect]

Whereas once we had Moira Stewart and Anna Ford, we now have the likes of Fiona Bruce and (*spit spit spit*) Natasha 'Spangles' Kaplinksy.

:(
Shes on five now thankfully
Indeed… all £1,000,000 worth of her…
:( :confused:

[calumsm]

Add Dlna and proper media streaming to Itunes, so that I can stream said downloaded ( and paid for) content through my PS3 and Medialink.....

[ascender]

Series 6 of Spooks for £16.99? And I don't have to waste days of my life ripping and converting episodes? Cheap at the price I say :)

[MacBiscuit]

He was talking about people who decided they wanted to watch the programme after the programme had been broadcast. Without a usable time machine my DVD recorder can't record something after it has been broadcast.

I take your point. However the point's still valid that with a bit of organisation and forward planning it's easier than ever to get a decent copy of a programme completely free.

(And if you're running 10.5 you do have a Time Machine of course... (sorry - dreadful joke))

[Topher15]

PARTIALLY.

On a PC you can download a better quality file, and have several days to watch it. On a Mac, it's basically you-tube for BBC - unreliable, current connection reliant.

Doug
True, but the point remains: us Mac users can still access the content on iPlayer. It might not be as great as a downloaded version (which it on it's way for Mac) but it's still there (and isn't that bad). Many people here were complaining as if we had no access to it at all.

totally agree - we've paid for this content and it's discrimination to make us pay for downloads when PC users don't have to - the BBC are dragging their feet and it's patently unfair. they've already been warned by Parliament about this

hell they use Macs to make the shows but we can't use them to watch them the way we should be able to - you unpick that one:confused:
Jesus! Some people need to sort out their reading comprehension!

The content on iPlayer and BBC/iTunes isn NOT the same! If a PC user wants to download and purchase passed episodes of BBC shows they can't go to iPlayer - it only stores shows/episodes recently broadcast - instead, they'll have to do exactly the same as the Mac user - go buy the DVD, or buy the download from iTunes. It really isn't that hard to understand.

Also, it's not like the BBC are shutting Mac users out intentionally. They need to sort out the DRM for Macs. Maybe they're already striking a deal with Apple. Maybe they're sorting out DRM for Mac some other way. They said Mac user can download from iPlayer by the end of the year so who knows, it could be next month?

The best solution for Mac users is just to buy Bootcamp or update their computer to an Intel Mac one
Or.... just stream it!

Now... where the hell is Only Fools and Horses!

[babyj]

I can't see any reason why Apple would say no to providing BBC content for free for 7 days.

The extra servers / bandwidth required to support it will be a drop in the ocean compared to what they've already got - though there is no reason why the BBC couldn't pay them (they'd have to pay for them if they were providing the content themselves).

Plus Apple make their money from hardware, not from iTunes which isn't much better than break even for them. Having the BBC content would result in massive iPod and AppleTV sales, so reckon they'd be all for it.

[Phil A.]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 16GB: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)

Series 6 of Spooks for £16.99? And I don't have to waste days of my life ripping and converting episodes? Cheap at the price I say :)

exactly why I've just bought it. Wish if would download in order though: still waiting for episode 1 even though it's already done 2, 8 and 9!

[davidje13]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 16GB: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)



exactly why I've just bought it. Wish if would download in order though: still waiting for episode 1 even though it's already done 2, 8 and 9!
You can pause the download for the ones you don't want until the first one has downloaded ;)
(I also use that to download one at a time so I can get them faster. It's slow downloading at 128k :()

[theknightshift]

And as for news and programing there are far better choices than the BBC look at that atrocity Doctor who way to spend a lot of money on bad effects and bad acting.Since when did Doctor Who EVER have anything but bad effects and bad acting?? :p

[Welly]

In a word: yes.

I think the licence cost of £135 (~US$270) is already a complete rip-off. Even though the only BBC service I frequently use is their news website I still have to pay the licence fee since I own a TV.

Do what I did and don't pay it. Problem solved, although the TV license inspectors can be a bit nazi in their tactics.

[Welly]

I'd rather get an honest non-BBC review, what's it about and why is it crap?

It's like the majority of US sit-coms. It's simply not funny and full of pie in the face jokes you can see coming from a mile off.