BBC launches its Iplayer for TV and PS3

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (BBC) has announced that it will launch a revamped version of its Iplayer service on TVs and PS3s.

The new look and feel Iplayer will tip up first on Sony's Playstation 3 games console and the BBC said it is available on over 300 "connected TV devices" now with more to follow. The BBC thinks it is bringing the Iplayer home with a design that's custom built for the living room.

Daniel Danker, GM of Programmes and On Demand at the BBC said, "BBC iPlayer has been tremendously successful. With today's announcement, we're transforming iPlayer in its most natural home: right on the living room TV. By creating a product that's as simple and intuitive as flicking through TV channels, the BBC is bringing on demand television to mainstream audiences across the UK."

The BBC said that the upcoming version of its video on demand service will be "just like TV" with a simplified, TV style design to the interface. The BBC said that it will be "as simple as flicking through channels when watching TV".

Search apparently has been vastly improved, so you can choose certain programmes as your favourite and, of course, get recommendations for content you might like. You can also view previous search results and flick back to the last programme you watched.

TVs that are able to connect to the internet haven't had the best uptake, but perhaps an integrated Iplayer service will be enough to tempt consumers to get their wallets out.

The BBC first launched its Iplayer service on Christmas Day of 2007 and now that offers both TV and radio programmes. Iplayer can be accessed with smartphones and tablets as well as computers.

Danker said, "Last week, Ofcom reported that 10 [per cent] of TV sets sold in the UK are internet ready. But BBC iPlayer is already available on over 300 connected TVs and blu-ray disc players, which has resulted in a five fold growth of iPlayer on TV over the last six months alone. At this rate of growth, in the next few years we could well see over half of iPlayer use directly on the living room TV." µ