iplayer

Here is a round-up of some other recent interactive TV-related stories that we didn't have room for in this issue:

Due to the large volume of interactive TV-related news generated over the past few days, we are covering stories in this issue in round-up/summary format. Our regular news coverage will return shortly.

The [itvt] editorial team is on the road this week and next, so we are covering most stories in round-up/summary form, and we anticipate that there will be some additional interruptions of our regular news publishing schedule beyond that. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience to our readers.

Here is a round-up of some other interactive TV-related stories we didn't have room for in this issue:

The BBC on Wednesday unveiled a new beta version of its broadband VOD/OTT service, the BBC iPlayer, that features 1) what the corporation calls a "simplified and intuitive" user experience that is intended to make it easier to find content on the service; 2) personalization options that the corporation says will allow users to "create their own iPlayer experience"; and 3) social media integration. A new mobile version of the iPlayer is expected to launch in a couple of weeks.

The BBC's governing body, the BBC Trust, on Tuesday published the conclusions of its review of the BBC's on-demand services, including the BBC iPlayer (note: the BBC is expected to announce the addition of a number of social features to the iPlayer today). It also announced an eight-week consultation on changes that the BBC Executive has proposed to the corporation's online programming syndication policy. The proposed changes would mean that BBC programs could not be made available on third-party VOD platforms on an unbundled basis, but would instead always be presented as part of a complete iPlayer-branded offering.

The BBC on Wednesday released March usage statistics for its online TV and radio programming catch-up service, the BBC iPlayer. Among the highlights:

Here is a round-up of some other recent interactive TV-related stories that we didn't have room for in this issue:

The International MHEG Promotion Alliance (IMPALA), an organization that was set up in 2006 by Strategy & Technology, Cabot Communications and EchoStar Europe to promote use of the MHEG middleware standard beyond the UK, has issued a public statement hailing the success of the UK's free-to-air satellite TV platform, Freesat, which has just announced that it has passed the one million customer mark.

Project Canvas--an initiative that sees UK public service broadcasters, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, and UK ISP's, BT and Talk Talk, partnering in order to attempt to develop a common standard and interface for the delivery of online catch-up services such as the BBC iPlayer, the ITV player and 4oD, as well as other Internet-based services (including VOD and interactive TV widgets), to broadband-connected Freeview and Freesat set-top boxes (note: the partners in Project Canvas would run the platform, provide an SDK to parties interested in developing content and services for the platform, and also license the platform's user experience and brand to consumer electronics manufacturers; once the BBC has achieved final approval for its participation, the Project Canvas

The BBC announced last week that its online catch-up service, the BBC iPlayer, has achieved a new monthly record, having for the first time generated over 100 million requests. The service is now available on over 20 devices, and the BBC says that the last two weeks of December saw a huge increase in the number of people accessing it through a games console: according to the corporation, one in eight of all iPlayer TV show requests is now coming from either a Nintendo Wii or Sony PS3 console, representing a 74% increase over November.

As expected, the BBC governing body, the BBC Trust, has provisionally approved the BBC's further participation in Project Canvas, an initiative on which the corporation is partnering with UK public service broadcasters, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, and UK ISP's, BT and Talk Talk, in order to attempt to develop a common standard and interface for the delivery of online catch-up services such as the BBC iPlayer, the ITV player and 4oD, as well as other Internet-based services (including VOD and interactive TV widgets), to broadband-connected Freeview and Freesat set-top boxes (note: the partn

The BBC has announced the line-up of content that will be available through its red-button interactive TV service this week:

UK-based consumer electronics company, Cello Electronics, on Wednesday announced the launch of a line of LCD HDTV sets, called iViewer, that allow users to stream the BBC iPlayer--as well as a range of other broadband video services (note: in its promotional materials for the new devices, the company mentions YouTube--which recently signed deals to offer full-length programming from UK terrestrial broadcasters, Channel 4 and Five--Disney Movies Preview, Movie Rush, Autocar, Sky Sports "Boots n' All," the CNN daily video podcast, Jamie's Ministry of Food, Delicious TV Veg, Revision3, Diggnation and the Larry King video podcast)--directly, without the need for a set-top box or games console.

The BBC has announced the line-up of content that will be available through its red-button interactive TV service for the next two weeks and beyond: