The BBC iPlayer is a quantified success, persuading and enabling millions of British viewers to use an online catch-up television service. But both other broadcasters and international viewers are losing out, which has lead the BBC to discuss creating an Open iPlayer for all.
The BBC iPlayer
The iPlayer has become synonymous with online video, at least online video done well. In the same way YouTube has become the destination for short-form content, British viewers know they can rely on the BBC iPlayer to deliver long-form content in catch-up form.
The usability, range of operating systems and devices it works on, and the high quality of video content have all combined to imbue the iPlayer with a glowing reputation. And viewer numbers are still increasing, especially thanks to the new Playstation 3 integration.
Other Broadcasters
The BBC was part of Project Kangaroo, alongside ITV and Channel 4, working to create a one-stop shop for mainstream catch-up television content. Unfortunately, after complaints from BSkyB and Virgin Media, the Competition Commission stepped in and killed the venture at birth.
These broadcasters are still working together on Project Canvas, and all have their own portals as well. But it would make sense to combine forces and integrate content from other broadcasters into the BBC iPlayer.
Opening Up The iPlayer
Which is exactly what the BBC is talking about doing. According to New Media Age, BBC director of future media & technology Eric Huggers recently spoke about the possibility at IBC 2009 in Amsterdam. He said:
“We’ve had a lot of requests from domestic and international broadcasters to open out iPlayer technology and we’re responding to that. We have a lot of people searching for Coronation Street on our sites and if ITV were to come on board we could redirect them.”
“The concept of opening up our investment and technology infrastructure, user experience and design is central for us in helping other broadcasters achieve their goals of continuing to have a direct relationship with users rather than being disintermediated by third-party aggregators.”
This talk of an Open iPlayer is what the BBC is internally calling Project Marquee. And it would suggest the corporation is keen to embrace rival broadcasters who want to take advantage of the popularity and infrastructure of the iPlayer as it stands.
International Viewers
Talk of opening up the iPlayer not just to domestic broadcasters but international ones makes me wonder if Marquee could also see the territorial licensing issues be solved to enable people outside the U.K. to use the iPlayer.
There has been the suggestion of this as a possibility in the past and a truly Open iPlayer would surely need to be available to more than just British television viewers.
