The BBC Trust has today issued its final approval of the BBC Executive’s proposals for new on-demand services, with some modifications. The on-demand proposals are the first to go through a Public Value Test (PVT). The Trust’s provisional conclusions were subject to an open consultation. 10,500 individuals and organisations responded. In the light of those responses, and after careful consideration of all relevant issues, the Trust has amended two of the conditions of its provisional approval.
Mark Thompson, the BBC’s Director-General, said: "We are delighted with the BBC Trust’s decision to approve our on-demand proposals. This is a significant decision as the new on-demand proposals are at the heart of the BBC’s Creative Future. However, we disagree with the Trust’s decision to exclude classical music podcasts from the proposal: our research suggests that classical music audiences would wish to download classical music programmes from the BBC and to listen to them on their terms, free at the point of use."
Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s Director of Future Media & Technology, said: "We are facing unprecedented rates of change in technology and audience expectations. BBC iPlayer responds to a need for greater control and flexibility over how and when audiences access BBC content. It is a critical part of the BBC’s strategy to maintain impact and relevance in a world where viewing and listening habits are shifting from linear to on-demand. In its initial release, BBC iPlayer will make BBC Television programmes available for download, free for UK licence fee payers, at high quality, with no advertising, for up to a week after transmission."
The proposed launch date for BBC iPlayer will be announced in due course.
The decision in full
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
Mark Thompson, the BBC’s Director-General, said: "We are delighted with the BBC Trust’s decision to approve our on-demand proposals. This is a significant decision as the new on-demand proposals are at the heart of the BBC’s Creative Future. However, we disagree with the Trust’s decision to exclude classical music podcasts from the proposal: our research suggests that classical music audiences would wish to download classical music programmes from the BBC and to listen to them on their terms, free at the point of use."
Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s Director of Future Media & Technology, said: "We are facing unprecedented rates of change in technology and audience expectations. BBC iPlayer responds to a need for greater control and flexibility over how and when audiences access BBC content. It is a critical part of the BBC’s strategy to maintain impact and relevance in a world where viewing and listening habits are shifting from linear to on-demand. In its initial release, BBC iPlayer will make BBC Television programmes available for download, free for UK licence fee payers, at high quality, with no advertising, for up to a week after transmission."
The proposed launch date for BBC iPlayer will be announced in due course.
The decision in full
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
