We're awfully proud of the BBC here in Blighty, and iPlayer -- the streaming service that lets you access glorious BBC content on demand -- is one of its crowning achievements. So we're pleased to hear that Auntie is planning to send iPlayer overseas, aboard the good ship iPad.
The idea is to bring an iPad-based subscription-only service to customers outside the UK. The initiative is being led by BBC Worldwide, the Beeb's commercial arm, and the so-called Global iPlayer is expected to pilot first in the US.
Luke Bradley-Jones, MD of BBC.com, announced the plans to launch a paid-for service at a London conference, and also explained the decision behind using the iPad as a vessel for the service, saying that Apple's tablet, "provides such potential to develop a truly interactive video-on-demand service".
That's good news for folks in the US with a hankering for premium British content, but better still is the possibility that third-party content will also be available through the service, although there are no deals confirmed right now.
"The BBC has an advantage in that we can create a branded best-of-British service, showcasing not just the BBC."
What do you think? Is the iPad the right choice of platform to launch this new service? If you live outside the UK, how much would you be willing to pay? Have your say in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 12
Add your comment
stelyn27 2 December, 2010 15:39
i need this done yesterday, but why an ipad app? take the BBC to the masses by allowing the iplayer to work overseas!
Anonymous 2 December, 2010 16:53
Love the idea, would prefer that it's free but would probably be prepared to pay $4.99 per month. Don't see it working if they want to charge as much or more than Hulu +
Anonymous 2 December, 2010 16:59
The Beeb has always said that licensing was the problem. Why is it suddenly not a problem? I see no point in restricting it to the iPad. Whether I use a finger or a mouse is of no consequence for interactivity. They are not quite being straight up on this story.
- Ex pat UK person in Germany -
anonymous 3 December, 2010 08:50
Don't worry, anonymous ex-pat: it's only on the iPad at first, and will launch for other platforms later. And the licensing issues haven't been explained in detail, but it could be that programs which don't agree to the terms may not be included
Anonymous 3 December, 2010 10:40
I've always held a grudge that TV licence payers in the UK fund the content that is then exported overseas for free.
The iPad app SHOULD be a subscription, and the UK TV licence fee should come down as a result.
Anonymous 4 December, 2010 13:46
When?
Anonymous 7 December, 2010 02:39
As an expat living in the US, I would be willing to pay as much as the current license fee to access BBC content (as long as it was all the BBC content) on demand. And I also think this should be used to subsidize the current license fee in the UK. At the end of the day, the BBC produce some of the best programming in the world... And in a market where people are willing to pay 99c for an episode of Glee, why shouldn't the BBC capitalize on this globally?
Anonymous 12 December, 2010 07:31
I would subscribe in a heartbeat to have it available in the U.S. and get on my computer, but don't have an iPad (and it's not in my budget). Hoping BBC decides to expand its reach to other venues!
Anonymous 23 December, 2010 01:49
As an American fan of the BBC, I've never understood why I can't just pay the equivalent of a standard BBC license fee and get access to BBC videos that are already online -- instead, we get that annoying "Not available in your area" message. I'd be perfectly happy to pay the same annual rate as a UK citizen to get access, and if enough Americans signed up, it could make a difference to the BBC's finances. What bothers me about the scheme they're proposing here is first that it's limited to the iPad and I don't have one -- but if they broaden it to more platforms, maybe it'll work out -- and second that it sounds a bit as if once again they're thinking about picking and choosing which things to export, just as they already do with BBC America -- meaning that many things will still be unavailable in the US. I simply don't understand what would be so difficult about collecting credit card numbers on the BBC website, charging us a standard license fee, and then allowing us to view the online videos, the same as UK citizens. It sounds quite simple, actually.
Anonymous 4 March, 2011 23:39
I totally agree that I would pay the equivalent of the BBC licence fee as I too an a Brit living in Europe. I have been waiting so long to be able to receive iplayer via my computer. Why just iPad? And how long will it take for the rest of the world not just USA to be able to enjoy quality tv. Again, i agree with anonymous 23 December 2010, why can't BBC just collect from a credit card number? Come on guys...get it together! It's 2011.
Anonymous 22 May, 2011 12:25
I would also pay thw license fee to watch BBC iplayer online, but would not pay a cent to use an iPad application
anonymous 2 January, 2012 14:13
I'm happy to pay anything up to £5 per month to access the BBC from overseas. I have an iPad and would use it because of its excellent quality, but why restrict it to one device?