BBC to Offer Video Downloads for Mac. Apple TV Considered.

[MattyP30]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7233252.stm

This is good news!! Can't believe its been so long!!

[xUKHCx]

By the end of the year, i was hoping it would've been a lot sooner. I watch a lot of programs via the streaming iPlayer service.

Does anyone know if you can subscribe to a series in the windows version.

[dalvin200]

i actually dont mind the streaming service they provide right now..
i mean.. if i do miss anything, or heaven forbid, forget to record on my sky planner, then i just stream off my macbook when its hooked up to my lcd tv..

[Grasbak]

Thats good news! It would be great if it works with iTunes so syncing to iPods etc works well.

I am thinking how cool it would be if they got a streaming version working on the iPod Touch and iPhone. It could run in a separate app like youtube.

[Manic Mouse]

Originally Posted by Grasbak

Thats good news! It would be great if it works with iTunes so syncing to iPods etc works well.

I am thinking how cool it would be if they got a streaming version working on the iPod Touch and iPhone. It could run in a separate app like youtube.

Can't they just work out some kind of free rentals system with iTunes?

[Silver-Fox]

Originally Posted by Manic Mouse

Can't they just work out some kind of free rentals system with iTunes?

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index...l&NewsID=20179

like that :P i found that a while ago and posted in forums some where

[MacRumors]

BBC's Mark Thompson responds to some criticisms about their Windows-only support for their iPlayer service, which allows users to stream and download videos to their computer. While Mac and other platforms have been able to stream shows, downloads have not been available.

Thompson explains that this is due to rights management issues and working with their limited resources. That being said, the BBC is planning on launching a download version of BBC iPlayer for Mac in 2008.

Another interesting possibility was previously raised in the same blog by BBC's Ashley Highfield, who felt Apple's refresh of the Apple TV along with rental model could introduce BBC programming direct to your TV.

..we can look to getting BBC iPlayer onto [the Apple TV] too, as we should be able to use the rental functionality to allow our programmes to be downloaded, free, but retained for a time window, and then erased, as our rightsholders currently insist.

On January 30th, Apple announced that the new Apple TV software has been delayed and will not be available for "another week or two".

Article Link

[OS X Dude]

Saw this come up just as I reloaded my page!

Nice to see TV is getting some firm support at least.

[al3000]

can't wait!

[dogtanian]

Yipee! content!

[Yixian]

OMGOMGOMG.. OMG.

BBC on iTunes. Make it happen.

[philbeeney]

Downloading BBC programs would be an excellent move, especially as the Beeb produce some quality documentaries.

[snicker71]

Fair do's, now get a move on, 'Auntie'!

[theheyes]

That would be great. Hopefully Channel 4 et al will get on board if its successful. I'd seriously consider an AppleTV if I could stream TV shows for free.

[happydude]

any idea if this would be available in the u.s.? might finally pull the trigger and buy me an tv!

[gotohamish]

Originally Posted by philbeeney

Downloading BBC programs would be an excellent move, especially as the Beeb produce some quality documentaries.

Their online video is for UK-based viewing only though... due to national licensing.

[dogtanian]

I doubt they would do the same in the US, they could however charge for US content, we pay a liscence fee remember.

[akidd]

Originally Posted by gotohamish

Their online video is for UK-based viewing only though... due to national licensing.

Was just about to say that, but according to the BBC, there may be hope for no-UK residents.

From the iPlayer website:

Can I download programmes from outside the UK?

The BBC uses Geo-IP technology to identify where you are based on the location of your internet service provider (ISP). This ensures that only internet users in the UK can enjoy programmes on BBC iPlayer.

If you download a programme to your laptop or a portable hard drive, you can watch this wherever you are in the world. However, you will only be able to download new programmes once you return to the UK.

Why do I need to be in the UK to use BBC iPlayer?

Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer is only available to users in the UK. However, BBC Worldwide is working on an international version, which we will make available as soon as possible.'

Knowing the BBC the international version will be ready before the Mac version.

[whoami]

nice!!!
i'd be so happy if we could also get archived bbc radio broadcasts that they only post in real player now.

[Neutral Gamer]

Originally Posted by theheyes

Hopefully Channel 4 et al will get on board if its successful. I'd seriously consider an AppleTV if I could stream TV shows for free.

Am I the only one who uses Virgin Media (formally ntl) on this site? We've been getting free on demand access to the last seven days of TV for ages now including the BBC and Channel 4 (More4, E4) channels as well as Living, Bravo and Virgin 1.

Why does no one ever mention that? It's far better quality and quicker than the BBC iPlayer and most importantly I can watch it on my large TV rather than having to watch it on my computer. Plus there's loads of other free programmes and entire series you can watch as well as payable shows and movies. The way the media are going about, you'd swear the BBC and Apple TV have (or will) somehow revolutionise the on demand TV market ....

Personally I believe they're a couple of years late. Surely I can't be the only one ... ?

[FoxyKaye]

That would be so great - there's a number of BBC programmes that I'd really enjoy downloading, so get a move on the international support BBC!

[Sky Blue]

UK only no doubt. I'd love to get BBC on iTunes so I could download Doctor Who in the US from my UK account.

[HamishInsanish]

"...though the hard drive was allowed to spin down if able"? I thought this puppy was solid state? Or, wait a minute.. was it just the optional external that's solid state?

Originally Posted by MacRumors

BBC's Mark Thompson responds to some criticisms about their Windows-only support for their iPlayer service, which allows users to stream and download videos to their computer. While Mac and other platforms have been able to stream shows, downloads have not been available.

Thompson explains that this is due to rights management issues and working with their limited resources. That being said, the BBC is planning on launching a download version of BBC iPlayer for Mac in 2008.

Another interesting possibility was previously raised in the same blog by BBC's Ashley Highfield, who felt Apple's refresh of the Apple TV along with rental model could introduce BBC programming direct to your TV.

On January 30th, Apple announced that the new Apple TV software has been delayed and will not be available for "another week or two".

Article Link

[Popeye206]

More content! Love it!

[skyrider007]

This is great! I'm a fan of BBC contents.