DOCTOR WHO - BBC'S IPLAYER COMING TO U.S.

BBC'S IPLAYER COMING TO U.S.

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of Britain's publicly funded broadcaster, has announced plans to launch an international version of its popular iPlayer service. Published reports indicated that the iPlayer service would allow a number of BBC shows including Torchwood, Doctor Who, and Top Gear , as well as numerous shows from the BBC archives, to become available -- at a price -- internationally. The reports suggested that BBC Worldwide would likely yank the programs from Apple's iTunes Store, where they are currently available for $1.99. Luke Bradley Jones, chief of the BBC Worldwide's digital operations in the US, said in a statement "Millions of people love Torchwood and would probably pay ten bucks an episode rather than two bucks." No single television program on any U.S. video website charges anything approaching $10.00 per episode and most are available free or as part of a relatively low-cost monthly subscription service. Moreover, the BBC said that many of its most popular domestic shows would not be available on the international iPlayer service because of "rights issues." However, it hinted that it might invite the BBC's commercial competitors to join the service, making it kind of a U.K. version of the U.S.'s Hulu.

26/10/2009