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The BBC has launched a new beta version of its popular catch up TV system, the iPlayer. The new version of the site introduces a load of new social networking features to the site.

Once users register for a new BBC iD, this is to allow identification on the service. They will be able to able to tie this account to various social networking services, including Facebook and Twitter.

Once tied, users will be able to click a button and notify all their followers that they are watching a show. This will give those users chance to click and gain instant access to the same show.

The addition of a login to access the service, will allow the BBC to bring more new features for example customisation of what you see when you login. This will allow them to tailor the view to be more useful for you.

The new iPlayer platform is only available for users in the UK and can be accessed from http://beta.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

Have you tried it yet? Like all the new features?

Not content with being everywhere when you use your PC on the internet, Google has announced it plans to bring the Android operating system along with its Chrome web browser to new TV’s and set top boxes in the coming months.

Everyone knows how to use a TV now, pick up the remote and poke a few buttons – picture appears and you watch it, but what Google wants to do is change how we use the TV, and turn it into a way to access not only your normal TV, but the rich world of content that is on the internet.

Virgin Media have launched a new movie service, powered by FilmFlex Movies. http://onlinemovies.virginmedia.com/ Once rented, pricing about £3.99, films can be watched an unlimited amount of times within the 48 hours paid for.

Anyone based in the UK can use this service, they don’t have to be a Virgin Media subscriber, this will open the service up to anyone with suitable internet access.

They recommend a 4Mbps broadband connection to be able to view films, and any downloaded film may count towards your providers usage limits.

More films will be added weekly, the next lot on the 6th of May.

A record number of people downloaded and watched the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who via the BBC iPlayer. The first episode with the new Doctor, Matt Smith, and his new assistant, Karen Gillan managed to clock up the most downloads over a 7 day period.

The first episode, called ‘The Eleventh Hour’ had reportedly received 1.27 million viewings in the first 7 days after it was shown on BBC 1.

Doctor Who continues on BBC 1 at 6:20pm on Saturday, http://www.ontvnow.co.uk/search/Doctor-Who/

Ofcom has told Sky that is must cut the wholesale price of its Sports channels, this is the price that it charges rival cable, terrestrial and internet television providers.

They will have to sell Sky Sports 1 and 2 for up to 23% less than the current wholesale price. Ofcom have said the decision should come into effect immediately, allowing other providers to offer the channels at a more competitive rate.

As part of this however, assuming Sky implement the required changes, they have been given permission to change the channels and system they use on the Freeview digital terrestrial system. This could enable them to provide a pay to view system over Freeview too.

Panasonic has revealed that during the first week of sales for their brand new 3DTVs they have sold out of the new sets.

The 3D HDTVs won’t be available in the UK for another few months but demand is high due to the blockbuster films and upcoming sports events due to be filmed and broadcast in 3D where viewers can receive it.

Prices are looking to start about £2,000 for a set and glasses, this will fall as the technology takes off. If this is a little out of your price range soon you will be able to head to your local pub to watch sports via Sky in 3D as they are about to roll out 3D to pubs up and down the land.

Channel Five has lost out on its chance to appear on Freeview HD for the time being because it failed to satisfy Ofcom that it was fully committed to the venture.

As yet the bandwidth isn’t allocated to anyone else, but it is likely to go to the BBC to allow them to expand their HighDef service on the Freeview platform.

The allocations will be reviewed again in 2012, so Five will be able to apply to take it back then.

Virgin Media have announced today that their cable digital TV customers will be able to watch this years World Cup in full High Definition as the ITV1 HD channel joins Virgin Media’s TV line-up on April 2nd. All matches in this years World Cup will be shown on ITV1 HD or the BBC’s HD channel.

Virgin Media have started to add to their HD lineup with new services. Eurosport, Discovery and E4 will be added to the top level service during this spring. Film4 HD will be made available for all.

The BBC has been granted provisional approval to introduce a DRM system into the upcoming High Definition Freeview Service. While the system is currently being trialed, it hasn’t officially launched yet.

The BBC believes that having no copy protection on the platform would pose a barrier to getting content onto the network, believing that providers wouldn’t want their work to be broadcast in HD free to be copied especially with DVD burners and hard disk recorders so readily available now.

Having DRM on the High Definition service, will allow the BBC to impose limits on what you can and can’t do with the service however, which some viewers will not like.

While the decision isn’t final yet, it is likely to be unless some serious objections are made by April 5th.

Sky TV has announced that it plans to broadcast football matches in 3D before the end of the year. The broadcaster has already started testing the technology by filming in 3D at various stadiums across the country ready to roll out the technology further.

To watch the 3D content, viewers will need a Sky HD box and a 3D compatible TV along with a set of 3D glasses. This does limit how effective it may be within a pub or large social environment but at home viewers will be able to see it too.

Sports will probably make up a large part of 3D content to start with on Sky, until there is more content available, made for 3D.