Enjoying this thread so far. As the man in charge of the Coyopa project, which'll be fiddling with a lot of our streams, could I pop in and make the following points (given you know we're making changes later this year)...
1. We are not removing internet-radio-compatible streams. Panic not. 2. Flash streaming "just works" for most people, and as the TV iPlayer has shown, a tremendously popular way of consuming content. 3. HTTP downloads are not possible: we don't own most of the content. That's why you've spotted RTMP being used - it's a form of non-invasive Content Restriction And Protection. I'm sorry we have to use it. But we have to use it. 4. In the minority of cases where HTTP downloads are possible, I would like to make those available for more programmes than just the podcasts. 5. A "pop-up player" will continue to be available in iPlayer when radio "moves in". I love the idea of segmenting stories within the Today programme, and I've ensured that the right people see that idea. Good. (grin) Beer, anyone?
