News - Sky customers get BBC iPlayer

[HEXUS]

BBC and Sky join forces as video-on-demand service spreads its wings.

Read more.

[miniyazz]

Currently, those who watch *only* the iPlayer are exempt from the BBC TV licence fee, but with the service becoming increasingly popular and available across a wide range of Internet-enabled devices, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is looking at waysin which it could impose the fee.

The BBC isn’t so concerned, telling the The Guardian that only a small percentage of its viewers use *only* the iPlayer. "We believe the current system works very efficiently and do not see a need to change its scope at present," said a spokesperson for the channel.

I think you might be missing a couple of 'only's there, which change the meaning entirely

[crossy]

BBC iPlayer has proven hugely popular with UK audiences since launching in 2007, delivering a record two billion TV and radio programmes in 2011. The latest report also reveals 1.5 million installs on the Apple iPad and 1.2 million installs on Android devices since the service launched the app in February 2011.

Wasn't that impressed with the iPlayer app on Android - on the tablet at least all it seems to do is launch the webbrowser to point at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer in which case it's not really an "app" more a "shortcut".

Also less than impressed when I tried to operate it when connected via a 3G hotspot - the app gave me a warning that "you are attempting to use iPlayer over a mobile network", but then didn't give me an option to say "that's fine - I know what I'm doing". Which given I just wanted to listen to a radio programme and had a 500MB data allowance, seemed reasonable. Stupid app just refused point blank to cooperate.

[crossy]

I think you might be missing a couple of 'only's there, which change the meaning entirely

Darn, I was hoping that because I use iPlayer, that according to the article I could get a refund of my license fee because I didn't need it.

LOL

[saltyzip]

If only Sky had a FTTC broadband offering I would consider switching my broadband and phone line back to them, until then I will just have to stick with having my foot in both BT and Sky camps.

[Edit]
Just read this, Sky are opening up Anytime+ to non Sky broadband subscribers in Easter this year, Whoopee!!
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5...providers.html

[cheesemp]

Wasn't that impressed with the iPlayer app on Android - on the tablet at least all it seems to do is launch the webbrowser to point at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer in which case it's not really an "app" more a "shortcut".

Also less than impressed when I tried to operate it when connected via a 3G hotspot - the app gave me a warning that "you are attempting to use iPlayer over a mobile network", but then didn't give me an option to say "that's fine - I know what I'm doing". Which given I just wanted to listen to a radio programme and had a 500MB data allowance, seemed reasonable. Stupid app just refused point blank to cooperate.

I read somewhere you can work round this by setting your phone up as a mobile hotspot and connecting to itself via wifi? Never tried it but might be a worth a go?

[jim]

It's an odd time to bring up the BBC iPlayer vs license fee problem, given that there shouldn't be a single person in the country who has a Sky TV subscription and no TV license.

[crossy]

I read somewhere you can work round this by setting your phone up as a mobile hotspot and connecting to itself via wifi? Never tried it but might be a worth a go?

Thanks for that - unfortunately I forgot to mention that I was using a WiFi 3G hotspot (T-Mobile Wireless Pointer) but by some means iPlayer was able to tell that I was (eventually) using 3G.

[Brewster0101]

I guess this is a little disappointing for Virgin as they offer on demand services like iplayer already and use it as a selling point for they services.

Its great that iplayer is stretching out, but a shame ITV, 4OD and Channel 5 on demand aren't rolling out across different platforms as quickly.

[miniyazz]

Also less than impressed when I tried to operate it when connected via a 3G hotspot - the app gave me a warning that "you are attempting to use iPlayer over a mobile network", but then didn't give me an option to say "that's fine - I know what I'm doing". Which given I just wanted to listen to a radio programme and had a 500MB data allowance, seemed reasonable. Stupid app just refused point blank to cooperate.

I hate things like that. Especially when downloading apps (Amazon App Store, I'm looking at you). "This app is bigger than [e.g.] 20MB so please connect to WiFi to download it.."

My phone internet is faster than my WiFi. **** you for trying to tell me how I can download your stupid app, let me do what the hell I want, it's not like it even affects you, it affects me, and large downloads is exactly the time I want to use mobile internet

[crossy]

I guess this is a little disappointing for Virgin as they offer on demand services like iplayer already and use it as a selling point for they services. Its great that iplayer is stretching out, but a shame ITV, 4OD and Channel 5 on demand aren't rolling out across different platforms as quickly.

iPlayer going to Sky as well had to happen - universal provision presumably (or something like it). Think you're maybe doing a small disservice to 4OD and Demand5 - in addition to my Virgin box I can get those on TV, BluRay player, and two XBoxes. Oh and there's the systems that allow web-browsing too where you can "cheat" (no dedicated app). Demand5 supports iOS (but no Android afaik - booo!)

Someone I know was joking that this is why mobile phones are getting larger - so people can use them for video and TV. In which case are we going to see adverts in the future "Galaxy S7/iPhone 8S - mobile tv's that also let you phone people"?

[Brewster0101]

in addition to my Virgin box I can get those on TV, BluRay player, and two XBoxes.

Do tell what make /model is your TV and bluray player to get all those ondemand services. My LG smart TV and bluray only gets iplayer.

[3dcandy]

I have a Galaxy Tab 3g..is that a big enough mobile phone already? I'M ON THE PHONE!

[crossy]

Do tell what make /model is your TV and bluray player to get all those ondemand services. My LG smart TV and bluray only gets iplayer.

No problem - both oldish Sony's. TV is a 40EX503 and the BD/home theatre unit is BDV-E370. I got that wrong in that neither of these get 4OD, but they definitely do get Demand5 (along with SkyNews and Eurosport and 20 or so other channels).