After a shaky start the BBC’s iPlayer really seems to be picking up a head of steam. Initially the iPlayer was a Windows only affair which drew criticism from the Mac and Linux camps. The issue was that the DRM in use only works on Windows and so shut out all other platforms. The BBC quickly worked around this issue by allowing the programs to be streamed from the website rather than having to be download where the DRM problem came in. Of course this means that you have to be online to watch but at least it is now possible. However, according to the BBC 70% of programs are streamed so maybe this isn’t a problem (or maybe it’s all those disgruntled Mac users streaming!).

This week the BBC have also added support for the iPod Touch/iPhone meaning that it is now possible to catch up on BBC shows on the move for the first time. I have just checked it out and it is pretty good. Clicking on a video opens it up in full screen just like a video copied to the device itself. Obviously the experience you get will depend on the connection but it was fine on my home wifi. Better yet is an announcement made late last year that allows access to the BBC site for free via any of The Clouds hotspots including in airports and some coffee chains.

At the risk of sounding like the Not the Nine o’clock News parody ("I think the (television licence) fee is far too low. I would willingly sell my house and all its contents to help the BBC.") I think this just adds to the great value the BBC offers.

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