BBC's iPlayer (UK)
Of the most recent years, one of the world leaders in delivering television content via the internet has to clearly be the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)’s iPlayer. Government funded, the BBC’s iPlayer was rolled out on Christmas Day of 2007 (Wikipedia). The player incorporates content across the whole range of the BBC’s extensive networks - 10 dedicated television channels, 12 dedicated radio stations - clearly making the iPlayer the number one one-stop-shop for free-to-air content, viewed online in the UK.
In February 2011, The BBC looked to expand their available media library even further by incorporating links to other programming found on other broadcasters channels including; “ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Film 4, Channel 5, 5*, 5USA and S4C” (Wikipedia). This move simply made the platform even more desirable to users, centralising all their favourite television and radio content into the one, easy to use online location. Interestingly enough, within the same rollout, the BBC also began to target mobile users, rolling out a more minimal version of its iPlayer platform over iOS and Android devices - where the launch would have considerable impact (Wikipedia). The BBC look at this iPlayer platform more as a ‘catchup service’, allowing you to time-shift your television watching habits around your busy lifestyle. Television content is only available on the site for two weeks, meaning that the library backlog within the player isn’t deep - helping to reduce bandwidth costs and excess network traffic. There is also a desktop app available to download on both Mac and Windows platforms - with the app enabling you to download iPlayer content (both television and radio) and have it stored on your computer to used for up to 30 days (this is managed with strict software licencing). |
According to senior U.K. media commentator Steve Hewlett, the BBC’s iPlayer model has at least three important factors going for it; “it’s got the content, and the BBC knows from experience in the UK that the technology works and is easy to use” (Clarke C/- Daily Variety, 2010, p1).This shows us within this on-demand framework, as proven by the BBC’s iPlayer platform, that content, the technology itself (cables and networks) and also the user experience are the three most critical aspects to consider when delivering content online.
Today the iPlayer’s iPad app is also a rather handy and easy to use application - helping television consumers to transition out from the couch or other traditional computing spaces. The go anywhere application uses WI-FI data to stream video on-demand, as well having the ability to watch live television. The “homescreen is beautifully presented, strikingly visual and easy to navigate. As with iPlayer website, programmes are organised by Featured, Most Popular and For You, recommendations based on your favourites. TV, Radio and Favourites sit along the bottom of the app and switching between them doesn't require much heavy lifting” (Halliday C/- The Guardian, 2011, p1). Indeed, the iPlayer platform makes television consumption a pleasurable and easy experience - and with such a vast library of on-demand television and live video, it’s a ‘couchsurfer’s’ idea of heaven. Now, with the ability of customisation, being able to design your own home screen, completely tailored to your interests, is extremely desirable and again moves towards the trend of offering a greater personalisation experience when consuming television. Television networks will also get a greater chance opportunity to study user behaviour, more efficiently capturing information concerning audience’s favourite shows and viewing behaviours. |