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BBC to Offer Video Downloads for Mac. Apple TV Considered.
- Thread starter MattyP30
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skyrider007
macrumors 65816
The BBC iPlayer is restricted to users in the UK - not just because of the licence fee, but because they have to negotiate rights with the programme makers.
They currently offer two services:
1) A download service which uses WMV files with DRM on them (for Windows XP/Vista) compatible with most devices that can support those files.
2) A streaming service that supports virtually any OS with Flash.
The new part will be that Mac users can download files with DRM (like part 1 above). How they will do that, I have no idea. Short of Apple licensing FairPlay there isn't a suitable DRM solution for the Mac.
As for the
TV, the only way that would work is if they did get FairPlay from Apple. Which I would REALLY be surprised by.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
^^ If you can't use the service now, it wont work in the future.
They currently offer two services:
1) A download service which uses WMV files with DRM on them (for Windows XP/Vista) compatible with most devices that can support those files.
2) A streaming service that supports virtually any OS with Flash.
The new part will be that Mac users can download files with DRM (like part 1 above). How they will do that, I have no idea. Short of Apple licensing FairPlay there isn't a suitable DRM solution for the Mac.
As for the
TV, the only way that would work is if they did get FairPlay from Apple. Which I would REALLY be surprised by.www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
^^ If you can't use the service now, it wont work in the future.
bigandy
macrumors G3
The BBC isn't a 'documentary channel'. 😛
Currently, the TV license is just that - a TV license.
Online streaming isn't covered.... but yeah, it will be covered soon, methinks. 🙄
The minute iPlayer comes out for teh Mac, I'm going to throw my TV in the trash. 😱
Downloads, I suspect, will be FairPlay. Why is that such a stretch to believe? They're climbing in to bed with Apple with serious amounts of money - moving everything to Final Cut Pro workflows...Short of Apple licensing FairPlay there isn't a suitable DRM solution for the Mac.
As for the
Fox is just the most blatant... the other big 3 are owned by General Electric , Westinghouse (both war profiteers) and Disney (primary US pablum dispenser... sorry Steve).
Back on thread, I'd love to at least have BBC content available for $$. I'd spring for it.
Apple released FairPlay in 2003 and has not licensed it to anybody since then.
Also, the BBC has stated several times that Apple would not license FairPlay to them.
BlakTornado
Guest
Same here.
I was quite shocked to find that BBC weren't involved with iTunes the other day when I checked the array of videos on the UK iTunes store...
any idea if this would be available in the u.s.? might finally pull the trigger and buy me an
It's possible they may allow US iTunes buying but I doubt it since it's a British Company who is funded by british tax.
This service has nothing to do with iTunes.
If TV shows come to the US iTunes Store, that will be BBC Worldwide.
This service is for people in the UK only and it is not part of iTunes.
It's a website (www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer).
The BBC has some of the best programming on the planet, IMHO. I would absolutely love to be able to rent BBC programs on the apple TV. I would buy one just for that. Over half the movies we rent from NetFlicks are BBC programs.
P6
P6
netdog
macrumors 603
applemax
macrumors 65816
No! Channel Five's Fifth Gear is so much better and so original too!
By the way, I was being sarcastic. 😀
Apple Architect
macrumors regular
Fox news.....
You mean that is not a drama/comedy ? Damn, all these years i have been thinking they had some fantastic script writers, after all, how else could they produce such drivel
You mean that is not a drama/comedy ? Damn, all these years i have been thinking they had some fantastic script writers, after all, how else could they produce such drivel
It would be so cool if the BBC could work with apple on this one. Most of the best content in the UK comes from the BBC.
If they could have BBC shows like Dr Who, Red Dwarf etc to purchase on itunes that would be cool. Combine that with a free catch up TV service using itunes new rental model. That would totally kick arse!
They will finally have a "mostly" cross platform video delivery service.
They should extend digital purchases to other download services in the UK (are there any?) just to not be totally reliant on Apple.
If they could have BBC shows like Dr Who, Red Dwarf etc to purchase on itunes that would be cool. Combine that with a free catch up TV service using itunes new rental model. That would totally kick arse!
They will finally have a "mostly" cross platform video delivery service.
They should extend digital purchases to other download services in the UK (are there any?) just to not be totally reliant on Apple.
Whatever service they deliver. I hope it in someway supports syncing to ipods.
Otherwise there's not that much point in having a download service really as you are either downloading and playing the content from your computer until it expires or streaming online.
I suppose it would be useful for that want to download stuff to their laptop and watch it where there's no network connection, but I'm thinking thats not a big market.
It makes sense for BBC to use itunes (Cheaper and potentially more popular than streaming along) and it makes sense for Apple to do everything they can to get BBC on board (They'll sell more ipods). Come on guys (BBC,APPLE) make sense of it all!
Otherwise there's not that much point in having a download service really as you are either downloading and playing the content from your computer until it expires or streaming online.
I suppose it would be useful for that want to download stuff to their laptop and watch it where there's no network connection, but I'm thinking thats not a big market.
It makes sense for BBC to use itunes (Cheaper and potentially more popular than streaming along) and it makes sense for Apple to do everything they can to get BBC on board (They'll sell more ipods). Come on guys (BBC,APPLE) make sense of it all!
Neutral Gamer
macrumors 6502a
They're also two of the most bloated and inefficient instituions in the world. 🙂
Why the BBC has not gone commercial yet is beyond me. I'd understand if they were actually offering something that isn't being produced by the commercial stations but when you look at such cultural highlights as:
"Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing"
"The Most Annoying People of the Year 2007"
"The ONE Show"
"Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps"
You realise how much they've dumbed down for the proles. Personally, cutting down Panaroma to just 30 minutes and putting it on at "prime time" was the biggest insult. The BBC aren't providing a public service anymore, instead they're trying to compete in the ratings wars with other commercial stations. Get rid of the Licence Fee TAX now!
What I hate most about FOX News is the number of downright lies and unsubstantiated rumours that feel the need to portray as fact. And then when they're found to be false they never even have the decency to apologise.
What's more anyone who criticises them are immediately labelled by its supporters as a left wing nut clearly brainwashed by the liberal media. According to them only FOX News have the courage to bring you the truth, of course just looking at the whole "Obama / Osama" and "Mass Effect Sex Debate" shows that's clearly not the case.
Granted Top Gear is a great piece of entertainment BUT at least with Fifth Gear they actually spend time talking about the cars rather than prancing about trying to think of ever more ridiculous "stunts" to perform. Personally I think there's room for both programmes as they provide different functions and are aimed at a different audience.
I don't know why BBC, Channel 4 etc are trying to do their own services. It's like saying come and watch BBC, but you'll have to buy a TV that only works with BBC?
Re: the shows you've mentioned above, while I agree they are crap (Except for "The Most Annoying People of the Year 2007" I have a thing for top 100 type programmes), BBC does have to make programs for everyone and that includes people that like crap like that!
Neutral Gamer
macrumors 6502a
I haven't got anything against them catering for the diversified range of people who watch programmes in this country nowadays, I just wish they made their programmes UNIQUE rather than carbon copies of the commercial channels.
After all that's supposed to be the main reason for a publicly funded TV service - to show programmes that the commercial stations wouldn't normally show. Don't get me wrong there are some excellent documentaries on the BBC such as Horizon and of course the nature programmes, I just wish they spent the same amount of time and effort on their other shows!
How is getting rid of the licence fee going to help? The only British station that competes with the BBC is Channel 4 which is also a public service station and is also owned by the Government. So getting rid of the licence fee would create 2 government owned stations competing for advertising revenues, and would ultimately lead to a merger unless one or both were sold which would just create another ITV and no-one wants that...
dogtanian
macrumors 6502
Just to say that yes Channel 4 is a public service channel but it is not 'owned' by the government.
The different broadcasters are working on a combined service called "Kangaroo" (at the moment).
It will combine content from all of them so that consumers can just use one program to get the content.
The download service allows me to download content to my PC and then stream it to my Xbox 360 to watch on the big TV.
It's also great for watching when offline.
In terms of the Mac, flash is pretty poor in Mac OS X - uses a lot of CPU and the fans get LOUD, so having a download option will be helpful.
