BBC launches online video service

The BBC broadcasted the launch of the iPlayer online TV service on July 27, providing the audience with the opportunity to download and enjoy their favorite TV shows.

The iPlayer service allows audiences to download one of the selected programs within the previous 7 days and store it for review up to 30 days later.

A BBC spokeswoman revealed, iPlayer is similar to its other new services, has passed 9 months of testing and is overseen by its managers.

IPlayer interface window.Photo: Guardian

IPlayer service began to be deployed in 2003, called iMP (Integrated Media Player).

Simon Perry of Digital Lifestyles Online Magazine said: " At that time, it was a remarkable invention. The peer-to-peer peer-to-peer network application is a technology-intensive way for BBC. ".

According to Screen Digest, online television services are about to explode in the UK. In 2006, an estimated 520 million units of content were broadcast over the network, with the majority being viewed for free. Its forecast will increase to 2.3 billion units by 2011.

BBC currently controls 80% of the free content market with clips produced by its own producers. But according to Screen Digest, that number will drop to 62% in 2011, while video content becomes more popular from alternative sources like Sky.

Vu Anh Tu