Auntie’s plans to open up the technology behind BBC iPlayer to the broadcaster’s terrestrial rivals has been kiboshed by the BBC Trust. If you were holding out for a universal iPlayer site, it looks like you’ll be waiting a while longer.
The Beeb’s proposal to give ITV, Channel 4 and Five access to its BBC iPlayer technology was turned down by the Trust as too complex, and not offering enough value for licence-fee payers’ dough.
BBC iPlayer hits 5 million mark
That puts one network for all terrestrial on-demand TV online on the backburner for the time being, but the Trust has said it still supports licensing out BBC iPlayer technology to third parties, so it’s not the end for Project Marquee, as it was originally coined.
It does however give Hulu, rumoured to be launching in the UK soon, some breathing space, as well as time for YouTube and Channel 4‘s partnership to prove itself as a new business model. We’ll let you know as and when BBC iPlayer’s expanding plans get the green light.
Out TBC | £TBC | BBC iPlayer (Via The Guardian)
