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August 27, 2005

BBC plans to put channels on net

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | TV and Radio | BBC plans to put channels on net

The BBC's TV channels could be made available on the internet, one of the corporation's top executives has said.

A simulcast of BBC One or BBC Two, letting UK viewers see programmes on the web at the same time as they go out on TV, is being planned.

A player to let viewers watch shows on the internet for a week after they have been broadcast on TV is in development.

In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Ms Bennett said she hoped to simulcast a channel within the next year.

'Wake-up call'

"It's a great way of getting public service content, which people have already paid for, out to people in a different way," she said.

The BBC received a "wake-up call" about the demand for new technology in March when the first episode of the new Doctor Who was leaked on to the internet, she said.


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A BBC spokesman said the corporation was aiming to simulcast a channel permanently but would restrict it to UK viewers only.

"These plans are subject to the approval of the board of governors and the resolution of rights clearance issues on content like music and imported shows," he said.

Internet debuts

As well as the simulcast plan, more shows are set to follow the lead of BBC Three comedy The Mighty Boosh and appear on the internet before TV.

Sketch show Titty Bang Bang, sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Johnny Vegas' show Ideal will be made available on the internet first.

Clips from the shows will also be made available on mobile phones.

The makers of the new Doctor Who series are among the producers who have been developing ways to use mobile phone and portable players.

And extra content has been filmed for broadband to accompany BBC One's autumn contemporary Shakespeare series.

August 27, 2005 at 12:44 AM in Web lifestyle | Permalink | TrackBack (9) | Top of page | Blog Home