The BBC just launched a new version of its iPlayer ap for people with a web connected TV. The Beeb has an enormous store of content and a less restrictive model than most commercial broadcasters. As both content creator and distributor it can decide its own rules. While this might be a unique position in the market and give the broadcaster a slightly unfair first mover advantage it does offer a glimpse of what ‘TV’ might mean in the future that is converging upon us.
Features of the new app:
• on-demand
• advanced search
• playability on multiple platforms - mobile and static.
Audiences have become used to adding layers of experience to television viewing. TV remains a channel with few restrictions on quality based on bandwidth. It is a fire hydrant compared to the relative trickle of the web. In recent years a significant proportion of the viewing audience have also overlaid secondary media to their viewing experience. Laptops, tablets and smartphones mean engaging with a show can aslo mean engaging with other fans in real time to augment the experience.
The new BBC iPlayer app targets TV buyers who like:
• interactivity,
• social networking,
• TV on-demand,
• email.
The system can:
• flip between the various BBC TV and radio,
• refine content by category or featured content,
• list favorites.
• Simultaneously browse while watching a selection,
• search content by phrase like Google.
The app is initially only for Sony, but will be rolled out for other platforms.
Still it is slick and points the way forward to how we will enjoy eV in the future.
I myself is a little surprised hearing it. All in all, im happy about it.
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