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  • The internet licence Fee

    The internet licence Fee

    Do you use the BBC’s iPlayer on your PC? Do you have a TV Licence at home? For those who don’t have an actual TV, but do watch the TV via the iPlayer you currently don’t have to pay the TV Licensing Fee. However this could be changed as soon as next year if ministers plans go ahead.

    The plans follow growing evidence that more viewers are watching TV online than ever before, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and others are becoming more popular than normal TV due to the convenience they give their users.

    The BBC’s technology chief recently commented on web viewers currently getting a ‘free ride’ with the ability to watch the BBC’s services without paying the licensing fee. As an example, approximately 40% of students would rather use their laptop / computer to watch rather than an actual TV set. Due to this, changes in the way the BBC receives its funding are needed.

    Nothing is certain yet, but discussions with the BBC Trust will happen later this year and could be brought into effect as soon as next year. The BBC has already started reducing its spending, this combined with changes in the licence fee could reduce the cost to each household.



  • Project Canvas Given BBC Trust Approval

    Project Canvas Given BBC Trust Approval

    The BBC Trust has approved the development of Project Canvas following a regulatory process that started back in February 2009. The project is a joint venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva to develop and build a standard platform for viewing of internet content (on demand content) via a set top box. This would allow the same box to show content from iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and other on demand systems through the one box / tv.

    The trust has concluded that the system would deliver “significant public value” so has approved the development of the system. The BBC has been given the go ahead to continue to be involved in the development of the system, but has imposed some restrictions on what it can and what it can’t do to it, including limiting the financial commitment to no more than 20% over the initial estimates for the project.

    Being able to access all platforms through one unified system would be a benefit to the consumer, currently some systems are computer accessible only and some can be viewed via games consoles but there is no uniformed system as yet.

    Project Canvas is expected to have the branding YouView when it launches, aims to upgrade both the Freeview and Freesat platforms to add a wide range of video on demand, when it will launch is currently unknown.



  • BBC gets Freeview HD DRM Go Ahead

    BBC gets Freeview HD DRM Go Ahead

    Ofcm have given the go ahead for the implementation of DRM on the Freeview HD service. Rather than broadcast with full encryption, the go ahead has been given to encrypt the EPG (the Electronic Programme Guide), this means that DVB-T2 (HD) TV tuners for computers and other devices will still be able to recieve the content, but the timing and listing will have to be accessed via another means.

    Devices that wish to access the EPG must obide by the content protection rules enforced, this will restrict the recording of certain content or the transferal to other devices from the recorder.

    This change shouldn’t effect any Freeview HD kit that is already on the market, they should have the required features already so when the switch is flicked they should still work.

    This protection system shouldn’t get in the way of most viewers and is unlikely to stop major privacy, however content providers like the idea that its their to protect their content.




  • BBC Launches new iPlayer Beta

    BBC Launches new iPlayer Beta

    [img]http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/iplayer_new_portrait_crop.jpg[/img]
    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?