Feasibility Study of a Digital Platform for the delivery of UK ... - BFI

UK FILM COUNCIL
fact that BT will not charge a monthly fee to access or use the service could make for a compelling product, especially if BT is able to
replicate or better the breadth of content on offer from on-line DVD rental outlets.
As a partner, BT also has the facilities and experience in handling broadcast content, both within a traditional satellite and cable television
space and in a broadband environment. Clearly BT also has access to a national network and will be riding on the back of the UK’s fastest
growing digital platform, Freeview. However, BT will be building its service from scratch and entering a space that is non-traditional for
the company in the eye of the consumer. Initial uptake is therefore likely to be slow.
BBC
On-demand offering
The BBC already makes its content available on-demand over the VoD services of UK cable companies NTL and Telewest and the IPTV
services of Kingston and Homechoice. Its ‘in-house’ plans for on-demand delivery centre on the Interactive Media Player (iMP).
The iMP is an application that brings functionality similar to the BBC radio re-play service, but for TV content. Users of the iMP player
(currently in trial) can download via the Internet programmes broadcast during the previous seven days for viewing through the iMP
player. The content is locked on the computer’s hard disk and disappears after the seven day window has expired. The technology is also
portable to other devices, including mobile phones.
During trial and the early days of the service, only the previous week’s programming will be made available. But the BBC has said it plans
to also make its archive available, possibly on a pay-per-view or subscription basis. In addition, the iMP will be open to other content
providers, each of whom can operate within the application using their own business model and branding. The BBC is also talking to all
the other major UK broadcasters to bring their content within the iMP application.
In addition, the BBC is already working with short and independent film in a broadband environment with a streaming movie service. The
Film Network is a short film site offering short film content for free to stream to the PC. The BBC is currently assessing the future of its
strategy regarding provision of film content online.
Strategic options
1/ Make content available to the BBC for play-out on the iMP
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