By Tim Ferguson, 20 May 2008 15:01
NEWS
The BBC iPlayer online on demand TV service has hit 75 million in streamed or downloaded programmes since it launched last year.
According to BBC figures, iPlayer enjoyed another month of growth in April with around 21 million programme requests - a 20 per cent increase on March.
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Average users per week were 1.4 million - up 300,000 on March and almost double January's figure.
The most requested programmes were The Apprentice and Doctor Who, although programmes shown on BBC Three had a strong showing with six appearing in the top 20.
There was also a 'long tail effect', with around a quarter of total programme consumption being made up of programmes outside the top 20.
In terms of platforms, 10 per cent of programme requests came from Apple Mac users and three per cent from those using the iPhone or iPod Touch.
There was initial criticism of iPlayer due to it only being available on the Windows XP platform, but the BBC has worked to introduce the service on other platforms such as Virgin Media.
iPlayer's popularity has also raised concerns from ISPs who claim the explosion in online content could overload their networks.
Comments
There are 3 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
BBC iPlayer is ffffffantastic !!!
best thing to happen to TV sinve the PVR (Sky+, TiVo, Freeview Playback).
Please hurry up with added perfection...
- Scheduled/off peak downloads
- Get rid of the silly 7 day to download, 28 days to view restriction. A month to download, and 6 months to view would be great
- Allow series linking/stacking
2. Charles Wood
Does anyone know what the BBC's actual bill was for these downloads? Is this information in the public domain?
3. Paul Seligman
I have complained to the BBC about the way iplayer works. If you start downloading a programme, even if you cancel the operation, it will keep tryingm, behibnd the scenes, every time your PC starts. Once the programme is downloaded, your PC is used as a server to other users who want to view it!
This slows down your machine, and if you have any limit on your Broadband usage, it will rapidly run up significant costs.
I don't mind paying for something I choose to download (and I can download in my 'unlimited' overnight window) but I strongly object to paying for the BBC to use my system as a server for its programmes to other users.
The BBC have pointed out that their T&C cover this - but who understands the implications if they are not very technical?
I have now completely removed this software from my pc.