[Community Media Association] BBC trials 'itunes' for TV

[Michelle McGuire]

BBC trials 'itunes' for TV
Geoff White
17 May 2005 10:24

The BBC is offering viewers the chance to download TV programmes over  
the internet with a new initiative it hopes will become "iTunes for  
the broadcasting industry".

The corporation is to trial in September its so-called interactive  
Media Player (iMP), which will allow broadband computer users to  
download TV and radio programmes, and watch or listen to them for up  
to seven days from the original transmission date.

"iMP could just be the iTunes for the broadcast industry, enabling  
our audience to access our TV and radio programmes on their terms -  
anytime, any place, any how," said the BBC’s director of new media  
and technology Ashley Highfield.

As part of the trial, around 190 hours of programmes - including  
soaps and feature films - will be made available, as well as 310  
radio programmes. Computer users can search for programmes and  
download previous episodes they may have missed.

Five thousand people will take part in the trial, and the corporation  
is looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in taking part should  
email imptrial at bbc.co.uk including their name, contact details, age  
and postcode.

Source: broadcastnow.co.uk




-- 
Michelle McGuire
Development Officer
Community Media Association

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