BBC iPlayer, great for catching up on programmes. (BBC iPlayer)

Member Name: Magik

Product:	BBC iPlayer
Date:	06/10/08 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free, nicely presented, easy to use.

Disadvantages: Programmes only avalible for 7 days.

BBC iPlayer, what a nifty little thing it is. It was created by the BBC to extend its existing RealPlayer-based "Radio Player" and went live on December 25, 2007.

BBC iPlayer alows you to watch programmes you have missed or simply just want to watch again on any of the BBC channels (this includes the childrens channels such as CBBC too). It also gives you the option of downloading the programme which means you would be able to kee it for a month on your computer; if not it stays on thr iPlayer for 7 days.

The iPlayer is avalible via the website, P2P, cable television, iPhone and iPod Touch. Which is great, because most people have at least one of these things.

Upon its launch, the iPlayer was hugely successful. Within 3 weeks the BBC reported that over 3.5 million programmes had been streamed or downloaded when the BBC only estimated 500,000 userseithin the first 6 months of its release. A lot more people than the expected.

Also, when first released it was only avalible on Windows XP which caused an uprawr among the Mac and Linux users. A petition was posted on 10 Downing Street's e-petition and reached a whoping 16,082 signatures. Unsuprisingly, a version of the BBC iPlayer was created and based on Adobe Flash which is available on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.

However, I do think BBC copied from channel 4 and ITV, as channel for has 4OD and ITV has ITV catch up where their programmes stay on the website for 28 days. This could be an improvment for the BBC, keep the programmes on for longer. It is so annoying when you find the programe you wanted to watch has been taken off the website.

The presentation of the website is great, and really easy to navagate around, the only critisism is that their programmes could be on a bit longer much ike ITV.

Summary: Great it you've missed a programme.

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