Headline PH: BBC launches new iPlayer with links to rival sites

LONDON (Reuters) – British state broadcaster the BBC launched a new version of its popular iPlayer Web video service with prominent links to rivals' sites, as it waits to see if the new coalition government will limit its funding or powers.

The new version of the iPlayer, one of Britain's top websites, will allow viewers to personalize home pages and share tips and synchronize viewing with friends via Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft's MSN instant messenger chat service.

The BBC has faced increasing criticism during the recession from rivals led by pay-TV broadcaster BSkyB and online news providers who say the corporation's public funding of 3.6 billion pounds ($5.18 billion) a year distorts the market.

Earlier this year it signaled a retreat from some commercial operations to focus on core services, after BSkyB called its digital scope and plans "chilling," but rejected calls for it to share the iPlayer platform with rivals.

Erik Huggers, the BBC's director of future media and technology, told a news conference on Wednesday the BBC would help competitors and consumers by making it easier to find programs from other providers on the iPlayer.

"We want to double the amount of traffic we send to other sites," he said.

The BBC says that since its launch two-and-a-half years ago a third of all British adults claim to have used the iPlayer, which replays recently broadcast programs.

The new iPlayer will feature links on its TV homepage to the ITV player, Channel 4's 4oD and Clic, RTL's Demand Five and SeeSaw, an online service showing content from Channel 4, RTL's Five and older BBC programs.

By Georgina Prodhan
Reuters

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BBC launches new iPlayer with links to rival sites

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