The BBC has unveiled a new-look iPlayer with a simpler interface, higher-quality streams and more personalised content. The media player will also link to content on rival platforms and let users share shows via Facebook and Twitter. The iPlayer beta is now live and the corporation expects to launch the full version by the end […]
The BBC has unveiled a new-look iPlayer with a simpler interface, higher-quality streams and more personalised content. The media player will also link to content on rival platforms and let users share shows via Facebook and Twitter. The iPlayer beta is now live and the corporation expects to launch the full version by the end of June.
New features include integration with Windows Live Messenger, a simplified user interface, a more personalised design and other social features. The new iPlayer will also list programmes from other catch-up services including ITV Player, 4oD, Demand Five and SeeSaw, and directly link to the programmes. Though this might seem like an unusual move, the BBC’s director of future media and technology Erik Huggers explained that it wanted to double the amount of traffic it sent into “the broader ecosystem” but insisted that it would not be sharing any technology.
01/06/2010
Huggers insisted that competition in the video-on-demand and catch-up markets was a good thing but said: “We were probably the first that really got it right.”
The redesign of the iPlayer comes after a review of the service by the BBC Trust earlier this week found that it was delivering good value for money to licence-fee payers. However, the BBC said in a strategic review of its operations earlier this year that it would be cutting back on its website and online services.
Despite the integration with instant-messaging software and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, Huggers said that the BBC was not likely to build its own social network.
“Does the BBC need to build its own social network? No. So many people are on social networks already. We will integrate with these networks so we don’t have to build our own,” said Huggers.
“In the old days, some people in the BBC would have suggested that we build one, but no more,” he added.
