BBC Worldwide reveals Global iPlayer expansion plans

Global iPlayer’s success over the past six months and its expansion plans for the future have been discussed by a senior BBC Worldwide executive.

According to Broadcast, president of BBC Worldwide Networks and Global iPlayer, Jana Bennett, spoke at the Digital TV Summit today (December 6th); hailing the platform for the content it hosts.

Those working in broadcast jobs at the firm will be extending access to the system this week, allowing people with an iPhone or iPod Touch in 16 countries to view programmes on the network. Previously it was only available on the iPad.

She said: “This platform extension shows how Global iPlayer isn’t just about moving TV to tablet devices, it’s also about a mobile strategy – about truly getting TV everywhere in a way that it hasn’t been before.”

The past six months has seen 35 per cent of viewers watch more than one programme on each visit, while 75 per cent of subscribers access the app every day.

DigitalTVEurope.Net revealed that BBC Worldwide has made its first external acquisitions via independent distributor DRG; with Black Books, Shameless and Peep Show among the shows that will be added to the Global iPlayer’s collection.

Bennett stressed that she wants the platform to represent the “whole gamut of British creative output” and give viewers a comprehensive overview of the country’s culture.

by Ashley Curtis on December 6, 2011

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