NEWS: Pay-per-view iPlayer to launch in the States

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:06:10 +0100

BBC Worldwide plans revealed

The commercial arm of the BBC, BBC Worldwide, is planning to launch a pay-per-view iPlayer-esque service in the States where 20 million of BBC.com's 50 million users are.

The online video portal might offer some catch-up US content for free, but would charge for "premium catalogue material" and archive programming.

Such material includes the likes of Doctor Who, Torchwood and Top Gear, all of which do well in the States, but would be offered for a little more than consumers are used to paying on iTunes.

BBC.com's MD Luke Bradley-Jones told paidContent:UK: "Millions of people love Torchwood and would probably pay 10 bucks an episode rather than two bucks".

The plans, said to be over 6 months in development, will require BBC Trust approval, especially as Bradley-Jones says they "would like" to use the iPlayer name and branding.

In the meantime, BBC Worldwide is looking at pushing mobile apps where apparently there is a greater willingness from consumers to pay for content.

A commercial iPhone live TV app for the BBC World News TV channel is planned to cost around $2.

Read

NEWS: VIDEO: See the new Doctor Who logo

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:24:32 +0100

The time lord's logo is refreshed for 2010 series

The new Doctor Who logo, which will accompany Matt Smith's on-screen debut as The Doctor in spring 2010, has been revealed. The BBC says the logo is the 11th to have been used on screen in the show's history.

"A new logo. The 11th logo for the 11th Doctor - those grand old words, Doctor Who, suddenly looking newer than ever", said Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer of the show, who sounds like a bit of character, before adding:

"And, look at that, something really new - an insignia! DW in TARDIS form! Simple and beautiful, and most important of all, a completely irresistible doodle".

"I apologise to school notebooks everywhere, because in 2010 that's what they're going to be wearing".

Pocket-lint.com : doctor who : Latest News

NEWS: Pay-per-view iPlayer to launch in the States

NEWS: VIDEO: See the new Doctor Who logo