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The addition of the iPlayer app might make me buy the new Apple TV.

The iPlayer app on our Sony "smart" TV is pretty buggy.
 
So this is a very, very 1.0 release. If you're used to iPlayer on other platforms, such as the PS4 or Roku, this will feel incredibly simplistic.

It plays video, and that's it. No favourites, recently played, suggestions, regional settings, resume play, or BBC ID login. Nor does it support any Apple TV features such as Top Shelf or Siri.

It doesn't even look like iPlayer does on every other platform. It's more of a screen of lists rather than the giant carousel on other platforms.

Hopefully it will get better.
 
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Now if only they got off this region-locking rubbish and offered it outside the UK. As a matter of fact, all content producers should just end their utterly ridiculous need to region control content!

Same reason we don't get the Canadian or US content here in the UK. Given the content produced in the UK is funded by the tv liscence , we get it for "free". BBC worldwide can sell this content overseas to further supplement revenue.

This app is part of $300 Canadian, I pay to the BBC each year. Are you still interested ? I assume you were not saying you expected it for free, while we pay for you also? Hence the region lock.
 
Now if only they got off this region-locking rubbish and offered it outside the UK. As a matter of fact, all content producers should just end their utterly ridiculous need to region control content!
Well, we dont get your stuff, why should you have ours?
Kidding.
In this day and age, I agree, content should be available for everyone, everywhere. Its the old broadcasting elders that are making it difficult.
I dont think it will be long before UK content will be available through some method to everyone, it's just a case of sorting licenses and fees out.
 
That's most probably on the cards. The BBC is getting a little desperate with regards to it's funding. The laws around the licence fee are changing in the coming 12 months to incorporate catch up services as licensable. Currently catch up does not require a licence. I suspect this was a reason for them creating the app... It means more people will be forced to purchase a licence, when the loophole is closed.

It's already been done as a pilot, and shut down. The problem is the networks in the US and other countries, its not in their interest to loose revenue to an iplayer offering. The global iplayer was shutdown due to massive pushback by local networks, resulting in limited content.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32718259
 
The only reason this app came out now was because that guy made his own BBC app in a few days and then posted it online to shame them into it. From what I understand, anyone who has an iOS video app already doesn't have to do much extra work to port it to the TV.
Doubtful. Im sure the BBC were developing before "that guy" made his Auntie App. The BBC Online Development Teams, App Teams and producers all do a lot - this was just one of the apps.
Besides, it's out now, stop bickering.
 
It only auto installed if you had previously downloaded the iOS app

Seriously? The last time I had iPlayer installed on an iOS device was way back when on a 3GS. Not installed on any current device. That's one annoyance of apples App Store philosophy, there's no way to disassociate a previous app you may have deleted from your Apple ID.
 
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Now if only they got off this region-locking rubbish and offered it outside the UK. As a matter of fact, all content producers should just end their utterly ridiculous need to region control content!

There are very easy ways to get around the geo-blocking that don't include VPN's..... ;)
 
Why should UK license payers supplement those people?

Because the BBC and all the studios are at heart, antiquated institutions that refuse to think outside of the box.

I would quite happily pay an expat license fee if that were possible. I don't see why they don't offer it. The EU was meant to be about common competition but that's a whole load of hokey-pokey clap-trap.

I'll continue using "illegal" means until they come up with a subscription that I would happily pay.
 
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