Ofcom has told the BBC that it will not yet allow the broadcaster to add DRM to its HD TV broadcasts. The decision comes after a two-week consultation period by the regulator which found, surprise, surprise, that the public just don’t like DRM. But is the BBC’s dream of DRM drenched HD TV broadcasts dead? Read on to find out.
Ofcom has told the BBC that it will not permit the BBC to encode HD broadcasts with DRM until the broadcaster can explain how it will benefit consumers and what it will do to “address the potential disadvantages to citizens”. However, Freeview HD doesn’t start broadcasting until the end of this year, so the BBC still has time to make its case.
The BBC claims HD transmissions need DRM because third party content owners (like film studios and TV production companies) are seeking content management systems to protect them.
The BBC wants to encode programme information using methods that would only be licensed to manufacturers who agreed to its content management plans. That would mean set-top box makers would have to play by its rules or not be able to supply BBC channels.
Ofcom said it would approve the plans on 3 September but the subsequent two week consultation period has persuaded it to demand further justification from the broadcaster. Both the BBC and the regulator need to get a shift on as hardware manufacturers need time to actually put standards in place.
If you don’t have any time for Freeview, try our list of Freeview alternatives.
Out now | £free | Ofcom (PDF)
Errm, isn’t he benefit obvious? It stops 12m Americans who don’t pay BBC TV Licence fees ripping off HD copies of the programming WE pay for…