- Sunday 30 March 2014
- My Account
- Logout
- Register
- Login
What's next for iPlayer? BBC announces new content and revamped platform
Media Editor
Tuesday 11 March 2014
The BBC has unveiled a raft of new content exclusive to its revamped iPlayer service amid fears that channels such as CBBC and BBC4 could be at risk from new threats to the organisation’s ability to collect the licence fee.
Frankie Boyle, Micky Flanagan and Morgana Robinson, are among comedians those who will provide bespoke programming for the online service, which Director General Tony Hall described yesterday as “the best online television service in the world”. Historian Sir Max Hastings, artist Goldie and filmmaker Adam Curtis will also contribute content specifically for iPlayer.
But having decided to downgrade BBC3 to an iPlayer-only service in response to pressure on its funding, the BBC warned yesterday that possible Government plans to decriminalise evasion of the licence fee would threaten other services. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling and Culture Secretary Maria Miller are both said to support the idea of making non-payment of the fee a civil offence.
At the launch of the revised iPlayer, James Purnell, the BBC’s Director of Strategy and Digital, said that decriminalisation could cost the BBC £200 million in income. “Say the rate of evasion was to double from five per cent now, that would be £200 million. That would be the equivalent of all of BBC4, all of CBeebies and all of CBBC,” he said. “Doing it like this very quickly would be a huge risk. The choice would then be that either we take those services off or the government would have to have a higher licence fee.”
Senior BBC figures yesterday rejected the idea that they might bow to a 200,000-strong celebrity-backed petition to reinstate to television the youth oriented channel BBC3, which Lord Hall predicted would do “some very, very new and creative things” as an iPlayer-only service.
But as the BBC encouraged more people to access its output via an iPlayer service that promises an enhanced user experience, there are concerns that the broadcaster will find it harder to make the case for its annual charge.
Colin Browne, chairman of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, said his organisation supported the fee but that the growth of iPlayer-only material weakened the BBC’s position. “It tends to undermine the case for the licence fee,” he said.
The licence fee only applies to live broadcasts and not for content viewed on-demand via iPlayer. Decriminalisation could increase the numbers of people who argue that they should not pay the £145.50 annual fee because they only watch BBC shows outside the schedule.
Mr Purnell said it was “for the government to decide” whether such catch-up viewing should be subject to the licence fee. “In 2004 the government decided that consumption of live TV on computers [should be] covered by the licence fee as well. We think that in principle it should be possible for catch up content to be covered as well, we think that would be a sensible modernisation.”
Users of the new iPlayer will be urged to sign up to ensure a personalised service that allows them to pause viewing of a show on one device and continue watching from the same point on a different media platform. But Ralph Rivera, the BBC’s Future Media Director, promised the BBC would operate a “gold standard” in managing user data.
Victoria Jay, head of iPlayer programming, announced three shortform dramas for the online service. Adam Curtis will explore the themes of hypocrisy, deception and corruption in a trilogy of films. Goldie will guide iPlayer viewers around the “Matisse: The Cut-Outs” exhibition at Tate Modern and Sir Max will curate a series of interviews with Great War survivors, filmed in the Sixties.
Danny Cohen, the BBC’s director television, defended the decision to give a platform to Boyle, who was dropped by Channel 4 following jokes that were deemed offensive. “We are not in the business of banning specific comedians because of jokes they have told elsewhere,” said Cohen.
Travel Shop
-
Pope Francis 'stuns' congregation by confessing to an 'ordinary' priest
-
MH370: Families' anger at Malaysia officials over 'untested techniques'
-
Missing Malaysian Flight MH370: Two ships pull possible debris from the Indian Ocean in hunt for plane
-
Oso, Washington: Incredible before and after images of mudslide disaster that buried a town
-
The time is... British Summer Time explained
- 1 Marinating meat in beer before putting on the BBQ can half cancer causing chemicals
- 2 Gwyneth Paltrow: This working mother’s open letter to the actress, who claims being a film star is harder than working a 9-5, is amazing
- 3 Pope Francis 'stuns' congregation by confessing to an 'ordinary' priest
- 4 Suvir Mirchandani tells US government how to save £240m - just by changing their font
- 5 Road rage revenge: Impatient man gives fellow driver the middle finger, gets instant dose of karma
Cumbria: The place to be
Win the ultimate photograph break worth over £2500 in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Summer Austria
In the summer, Austria casts off its iconic icy appearance and turns gorgeously green – its mountains and valleys becoming the perfect playground for sunny adventures.
When was the last time you had a first time?
Find out how a long weekend in York can will stay with you forever.
Coats for inbetweeners
In November you coveted the soft teddy down of your winter coat – the affair is over. Now you’re trading up: switching cosy coat for spring jacket.
This is Kenya….the coast
Kenya’s 490 kilometre Indian Ocean coastline is ideal for a luxury beach holiday. It offers a striking combination of Swahili culture, superb palm lined beaches and colourful marine life.
Earth Hour
Go beyond the hour. Use your power to fund an Earth Hour Blue project for people and the planet today.
Beautiful Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords
Bergen - a city set amid spectacular scenery which is easily accessible for a fascinating weekend escape.
Far away - and yet close to home - in the beauty of the Norwegian fjords
Only two hours from Britain amid the dramatic scenery and lovely fjords of western Norway, find out more about the Norwegian fjords...
London - Denver: two return flights to be won
We've teamed up with Icelandair to give readers the chance to win two return flights from London to Denver to visit this stonishing city.
What can a credit check offer you as a consumer?
Running a credit check is easy and the results can give you a great insight into your financial position through the eyes of potential lenders.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
iJobs Media
Business Development Manager
£25000 - £50000 per annum + Uncapped Commission + Benefits: Corporate Travelle...
Business Development Manager
£25000 - £50000 per annum: Flight Centre Limited: Business Development Manager...
Graduate Start-Up Business Development
£16000 - £30000 per annum: Inspiring Interns: This company is a fast-growing, ...
Travel Consultant
£18000 - £40000 per annum + Benefits: Flight Centre Limited: This is your oppo...