[Cr1t1cal®]

Despite anticipation surrounding the release of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s much talked about iPlayer, a group of influential UK-based broadband providers are applying pressure to the corporation regarding contributions related to the cost of online video streaming.


More pointedly, an Independent report outlines that major providers such as BT, Carphone Warhouse, and Tiscali are indicating their concerns regarding the possible network strain likely to be imposed by literally hundreds of thousands of online viewers enjoying BBC programming through the incoming iPlayer.

As a result of this network-based concern, it’s possible the BBC will see its iPlayer hit by ‘traffic shaping’ which will restrict the amount of bandwidth it has access to. Any such bandwidth limitation would, in effect, strictly limit the online traffic able to utilise the BBC’s online content player.

"The potential for iPlayer to suck up capacity is a concern and we need a better dialogue with the BBC about that," opined an official Tiscali spokesperson, while the Independent’s news report outlines that "a senior insider at BT" has added that "live debate between ISPs and the BBC" is presently taking place, while also warning that "[network] capacity could become an issue" should the BBC secure the numbers that it’s seeking for iPlayer.

Much like the BBC’s current "Listen Again" audio player that allows online listeners to enjoy radio programming across the prior seven-day period, the new iPlayer will similarly open a completely free seven-day catch up service across its television content. After downloading desired TV material, users will be able to access it instantly for up to 30 days, and able to view it for seven days once accessed.

Industry analysts have suggested that the overall effect of TV broadcasters like the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all bringing their content online – when combined with the massive popularity of services such as YouTube and Joost – could well see Internet Service Providers (ISPs) capping the specific Internet access of its users.

The BBC iPlayer shifted into its public beta phase on July 27 of this year and is expected to roll out fully in the coming months.

Source: Monster and critics

[Justin D.]

Disney has video online. Do they limit traffic to it? I don't even watch this BBC. (really, the only channels I watch are Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and occasionally the History, Discovery, or Science channels)
This thing's called iPlayer. I wonder what Apple thinks of their use of that name.

Offtopic Comment: Your new avatar looks exactly like ironicall's, with the exception of the text.

This post has been edited by jrdaigle1000: 14 August 2007 - 12:48 PM

[Cr1t1cal®]

Anything that starts with 'i' doesnt mean its ripping from Apple. BBC is quite a big channel in the UK (brittish broadcasting company) so I guess it'll be more popular over here than what it would be in the USA

[Justin D.]

Anything that starts with 'i' doesnt mean its ripping from Apple. BBC is quite a big channel in the UK (brittish broadcasting company) so I guess it'll be more popular over here than what it would be in the USA

Yeah, we have satellite TV and actually get that channel, but that, the political channels, the soap opera channels, and the premium movie channels (which we don't receive) have never gained much of my interests.

Offtopic Comment: My mom used to live in England.