informitv - BBC explores further options for broadband iPlayer
The BBC is exploring plans to make its proposed iPlayer directly available on television screens and considering options for co-operating with other broadcasters. Ashley Highfield, their director of future media and technology, hinted at the possibilities during a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch at a London restaurant.
He revealed that the BBC was exploring the possibility of a hybrid broadcast and broadband-enabled set-top box. However, he stressed that the pilot project, which aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of the personal computer and the television, was still under consideration.
The BBC Trust has yet to finally ratify plans for the iPlayer, which will initially only be available on the Microsoft Windows platform. This is likely to be a formality as it has already given provisional approval, subject to certain limitations.
Last year, Red Bee Media, the former BBC subsidiary that is likely to be managing the delivery of material to the proposed iPlayer, floated plans to support a hybrid set-top box from French company Netgem. Coincidentally, perhaps, Netgem already has a hybrid set-top box that retails under the iPlayer brand name.
The BBC is exploring plans to make its proposed iPlayer directly available on television screens and considering options for co-operating with other broadcasters. Ashley Highfield, their director of future media and technology, hinted at the possibilities during a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch at a London restaurant.
He revealed that the BBC was exploring the possibility of a hybrid broadcast and broadband-enabled set-top box. However, he stressed that the pilot project, which aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of the personal computer and the television, was still under consideration.
The BBC Trust has yet to finally ratify plans for the iPlayer, which will initially only be available on the Microsoft Windows platform. This is likely to be a formality as it has already given provisional approval, subject to certain limitations.
Last year, Red Bee Media, the former BBC subsidiary that is likely to be managing the delivery of material to the proposed iPlayer, floated plans to support a hybrid set-top box from French company Netgem. Coincidentally, perhaps, Netgem already has a hybrid set-top box that retails under the iPlayer brand name.