BBC Trust gives iPlayer the go ahead Jessica Rogers 11:00am (Broadcast) The BBC Trust has given the go ahead to the corporation's new on-demand services, including the controversial iPlayer, but has made major changes to a number of key features the BBC executive proposed.
Changes proposed for the iPlayer by the Trust as part of its public value test include limiting the storage window for seven-day TV catch-up of TV shows over the internet to 30 days, rather than the 13 weeks proposed by the corporation's executive. The Trust has also agreed with Ofcom about the need for a tighter definition of what series would be offered for series 'stacking' and ruled that it will only be available for specific types of programmes. Only programmes with "a distinct run, with a beginning and end" such as Bleak House, Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing would be included while Eastenders, Top Gear and Blue Peter would be excluded. The Trust said the public value of allowing access to free content needed to be balanced against value of the BBC's secondary rights and potential for negative market impact. The Trust has also asked the executive to adopt a platform-agnostic approach to the iPlayer. The original proposal for the service would have meant it was only available to Microsoft users but the Trust's proposal will require them to develop an alternative framework which will allow users of other technology, for example Apple Macs, to access the service. The BBC Trust will also develop a policy for syndicating BBC content to other internet operators such as Google. The Trust has ruled that third-party content will not be made available through the iPlayer because of fears it could increase the negative market impact of the BBC's proposals. BBC Trustee and chair of the public value test steering group Diane Coyle said: "The BBC Trust has a duty to ensure the public receives value in return for paying the licence fee. Our view is that the BBC's new on-demand services are likely to deliver significant public value, and should be allowed to proceed, but subject to certain conditions in order to reduce the potential negative market impact. "In representing the public interest, the Trust's duty includes ensuring that the BBC does not adversely affect the market by reducing choice for licence fee payers. In reaching our decision, the Trust has therefore taken account of both the potential public value added and the potential negative market impact. We concluded that a number of modifications to the BBC's proposals are necessary to deliver the greatest value to the public." The Trust is now undergoing a period of consultation on its proposals and will reach a final decision by the beginning of May. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.17/661 - Release Date: 30/01/2007 23:30 - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/backstage@lists.bbc.co.uk/
