Official: International version of BBC iPlayer coming in 2011

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 2 2010, 12:47

In a move to spread its widely renowned TV content around the world via the Internet, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has formally announced an international version of its hugely popular iPlayer on-demand service.

According to a Financial Times report, Auntie will initially push its iPlayer platform into the U.S. market through an iOS application created specifically for Apple’s iPad tablet computer.

Although the Beeb has not yet offered up a concrete start date for the international iPlayer, it is expected to arrive in by the close of Q2, 2011.

Given that international viewers do not pay for a UK television license, which provides the Brits with complete and unrestricted access to BBC programming, the global online platform will be supported by a paid subscription.

The subscription model will, according to BBC.com managing director Luke Bradley-Jones, be used to create “additional value” from feedback, whilst also getting audiences accustomed to the service and providing advertisers with partnership opportunities.

“I can announce here that we’re going to be adopting a pure paid subscription model for the global iPlayer launch – in part to get audiences used to using the service, but more importantly so we can generate additional value from the service in terms of the user data that it gives us,” he revealed during the Digital TV Summit.

“We will also offer advertisers the chance to partner with us on the ‘free’ areas of the service,” he added.

The original iPlayer, which launched three years ago, has quickly risen to become the most popular online catch-up service operated by a UK-based broadcaster.

BBC content that prospective international iPlayer subscribers can look forward to watching include top shows such as Doctor Who, Match of the Day, EastEnders, Torchwood, Top Gear and more.

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