The BBC has taken the wraps off the second version of its hugely popular
iPlayer, integrating radio with on-demand TV.
The new version is still in beta and will run alongside the original while
the finishing touches are added over the next few weeks.
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"The next-generation BBC iPlayer allows UK licence fee payers to catch up on
their favourite BBC TV and radio programmes in one place, a completely unique
on-demand service," said Erik Huggers, group controller for future media and
technology at the BBC.
"Audiences are now able to experience the full range of BBC content - some
250 TV programmes available each week as well as all the BBC radio networks - in
a new and more accessible way, and all for free."
The iPlayer has been a
huge
success, garnering a reported 100 million downloads in the six months since
its launch.
"On-demand radio from the BBC has been a phenomenal success since it was
first launched in 2002, with around 600 million hours listened to via streaming
or the 'listen again' function," said Huggers.
The full integration with iPlayer is a natural evolution for the audio service
Erik Huggers BBC
"The full integration with iPlayer is a natural evolution for the audio
service and an exciting step for audiences."
The addition of radio will offer the choice of listening to live radio or
selecting anything on BBC Radio from the past seven days.
The new version also boasts a 'last played' resume feature, larger playback
window, a TV schedule and new categorisation features.
The BBC iPlayer is now available on PC, Mac, Linux, Virgin Media, Apple
iPhone and iPod Touch and Nintendo Wii.
The unbridled popularity of the iPlayer has
caused
consternation among internet service providers which have said that the BBC
should pay for the increased load on their networks.
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