The iTunes Store may be a runaway success in the world of online downloads, but that won't stop other media groups, such as the BBC, launching their own competing services. Auntie is preparing to make its enormous catalogue of old and new shows available for pay to download, making it a rival to iTunes, paidContent reports.
The BBC is currently in talks with independent producers that make some of the shows, with the producers in favour as it'd make them money as well as protecting against piracy. If it ever sees the light of day, the BBC store would charge £1.89 per episode, matching Apple's pricing (though Apple also charges £2.49 for newer offerings).
The scheme is codenamed Project Barcelona.
While in theory the producers are in favour, they're yet to give their full blessing, as they're unsure about revenue share, exclusivity, and how it could impact on DVD sales, meaning that negotiations are still ongoing.
At the moment, you can watch shows for free on iPlayer up to 30 days after broadcast. After that the rights go to the commercial arm of the Beeb BBC Worldwide, or to the shows' original producers, both of whom license said shows to services like iTunes and Blinkbox. There's no word yet on how this would impact the availability of BBC shows on iTunes.
Currently only 7 per cent of BBC shows are available through third parties, so Auntie is keen to make the remaining 93 per cent through its own service. And make a tidy sum at the same time. Though any such scheme would need the approval of the BBC Trust, so don't expect it to launch anytime soon.
Apple is currently in talks with channels regarding launching its own subscription-based TV service, though that's shrouded in secrecy. It's not going too well though, if reports are to be believed. With the BBC's huge back catalogue, this could be a decent alternative.
What do you think? Would you buy shows from such a BBC service? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 14
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anonymous 10 March, 2012 09:48
Since most of the original programming was funded by UK TV licence payers, I don't understand why UK licence payers should have to pay for something they already own, so hopefully only viewers outside the UK will have to pay to access the back catalogue.
anonymous 10 March, 2012 10:38
The BBC already sells DVD's. This is essentially the same, but with digital distribution.
DanielPrice91 10 March, 2012 11:17
As a license fee payer you don't own the content at all. Your license enables you to watch broadcasted content. Like anything, if you want to own it you have to buy it.
anonymous 10 March, 2012 13:46
They would have a ready customer in me, great idea can't wait.
Ryan Simmons 10 March, 2012 14:04
I should point out, as certain other websites have also made this mistake, that this is -not- an itunes competitor. What the BBC are actually doing, is offering all their own content to sell, including their older content, most of which isn't available digitally anywhere. So rather than competing, they're offering something that iTunes, and other distributors, don't have.
Which, incidentally, I think is a good idea.
Kevin Rudeforth 10 March, 2012 19:56
DanielPrice91 - when you buy a dvd or a cd etc you only own the dvd, not the content on it
anonymous 10 March, 2012 20:56
We might not own all the content due to incompetent/corrupt/stupid contracts however what we do own is the BBC, which we all pay for, which we all have to pay for, which we all have paid for - if this is implemented, then it is the end of the BBC as a Public Service which is just what the Tories and their fellow travellers are aiming for, because they will have created a pay-per-view system which will then be enforced on us all politically. What we should be aiming for is everything available on iPlayer for-ever free at the point of delivery - and yes including worldwide - because we are trying to export/support our culture against the overwelming onslaught of America - it would also make economic sense for the same reasons - but these are the people who removed drama from the BBC World Service so we know that they don't stand up for the BBC and who their real paymasters are, while they still receive obscene levels of salery paid by us.
anonymous 10 March, 2012 21:56
if the plan includes all andy kershaws radio one progs, i'm in even at £5 a go!
anonymous 10 March, 2012 22:36
the bbc commits britain to continuing the very best traditions of the 20th century. Bravo!
anonymous 10 March, 2012 22:38
Let's hope they get their download and catalogue GUI in a better state than iPlayer which is frankly a bit of a shambles. I'll stick with iTunes thanks and besides, why drum up old content and charge for it? Flogging a dead horse comes to mind. Shouldn't licence payers be getting quality new content for their tax?
anonymous 11 March, 2012 01:45
Providing they keep bbc iplayer for uk onlu while other countroes have to pay im all for it, programs like doctor who, waterloo road, eastender will make them a killing this way in other countries.
anonymous 11 March, 2012 12:56
Scrap TV license and make it all pay as you view. We live in a pay as you consume world. I'm all for it if it paves the way to a more commercial BBC where I only pay for the content I subscribe to.
5onthe5 11 March, 2012 15:24
Not a bad idea in theory. But £1.89!!!!!
20p would be more reasonable. I'm not joking.
anonymous 13 March, 2012 15:18
Can not see why the BBC can not licence all of it content to all digital distribution systems. There is nothing more annoying than having to trowel through different distributes to fined the content your after.
I normally just give up and order the DVD. If its been out a while I normally get a used version from Ebay.