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BBC Says Microsoft, Sony Too Controlling on Streaming Video
Chris Faylor
8
Though already accessible via the Nintendo Wii, the BBC has said that its streaming video service iPlayer is not presently available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 because of Sony and Microsoft's tight control over their platform's offerings.

"If you want to get on the PlayStation or Xbox, they want control of the look, the feel and the experience; they want it done within their shop, and their shop only," BBC Technology Group Controller Erik Huggers told the BBC dot.life blog.

While the iPlayer currently uses the Wii's Internet Channel to deliver streaming versions of BBC shows--including Top Gear, the EastEnders, and Doctor Who--Nintendo and the BBC are planning to release a specialized application to deliver BBC video content.

At present, the web-based version of the iPlayer won't work on the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 lacks a web browser and the PlayStation 3 doesn't support the Flash technology used for video delivery.

However, video content is available on the Xbox 360 through Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace, which sells downloads of television shows and rentals of popular movies. While the PlayStation 3 does not yet have a dedicated video marketplace, Sony has hinted that it may eventual offer paid video content via the online PlayStation Store.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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  • ColoradoCNC legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
    reply
    April 10, 2008 2:04 PM

    Situations like this are why I have some doubts in the long-term viability of video marketplaces like on 360 and PS3. I think that people paying to download shows, even though I've done it myself with a few History Channel specials, is not the way that this is all heading. If they just allowed people to watch the videos with minimal, unskippable ads they would be able to still make money off of advertisers, as well as greatly expanding the number of people taking advantage of their VOD services.

    • Sailor of Fortune legacy 10 years
      reply
      April 10, 2008 2:06 PM

      I'm just happy I can get HD episodes of Lost Season 4 without ads.

      I was hoping the same for Season 4 of BSG.

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