BBC to launch iPlayer on 27 July (UK)The BBC will launch a beta version of its on-demand TV service, iPlayer on 27 July. The online platform, available only to UK licence fee payers, will offer programmes from BBC TV channels to watch on the PC. Programmes will be available for up to a week after broadcast, without advertising; once a user downloads a programme, they have 30 days to watch it. After viewing, the file deletes itself from the computer. Later this year, iPlayer will become widely accessible across bbc.co.uk, as well as via links from YouTube. The BBC is also in talks with a wide range of potential distribution partners, including MSN, telegraph.co.uk, AOL, Tiscali, Yahoo!, MySpace, Blinkx and Bebo, and a launch with cable operator Virgin Media is planned for later this year. The BBC hopes to expand iPlayer to other TV platforms and eventually handheld devices like mobile phones. A full marketing launch for iPlayer is planned for the autumn. The iPlayer was developed by the BBC’s Future Media & Technology division in partnership with Siemens and Red Bee Media.
