DRM before we had digital and the spector of regulation

Implications: The problem is one of market regulation in the UK, BBC has a track record of innovating before the competition because it has a public broadcast remit.  The Internet activities of the BBC have been cut back because Government and Competitors have complained that it has abused it position and stifled innovation. Having to work in the regulated market the BBC has had to launch the service slowly, hence the fact that at present they are using a form of windows media player to show MP4 content.  The vast majority o the archieve of the BBC does not have rights to broadcast on demand.  Old shows were made before DRM was an issue.  Newer shows are made by independents who did not give the BBC rights for anything other than broadcast.

Analysis:  Finally got my login details yesterday, and so far my three children have used the system more I have. To that point it is simple to use, works better than the On Demand element of my BT Vision service and unlike the Channel 4 service it is free.

The issue so far is one of content. Because of the reforms made to the BBC by John Burt a significant element of the BBC shows are made by third party companies, these have not given the BBC the right to show the programmes on the iPlayer. For example Extras is not available, the same is true with a number of older shows.

Over time as the BBC tests the market with what is a BETA service not only will other platforms be introduced but also the rights will be asquired for more content. The process is a slow one because if the BBC were to have gone live with a full service then they would hve found that the other broadcaster would have sought market control via OFCOM.

Over time as others start to test the market for On Demand then we will see the BBC start to ramp up content and the player.  It is a difficult balancing act and I would not expect the service to be market ready for another 18 months. My expectation is that the plan is to hold back until digital switch over has started to gather momentum.