And even more video on the net. The BBC has announced that its previously reported web TV platform iPlayer will launch in beta on 27 Jul. The BBC's on-demand service, though one of the first to be muted, will launch after similar services from Channel 4 and ITV, which are already live.
The aim is to provide legitimate on-demand access to BBC programming which is currently available unofficially via YouTube or, more often, those YouTube rivals that don't have deals with the BBC regarding the upload of new programming. iPlayer will compete with the unofficial video platforms by being [a] legal, [b] higher quality and [c] more reliable (in theory at least). Though with the requirement of a new player install and limitations on when on demand programming can be viewed, the unofficial services may remain popular even after the iPlayer is live (certainly I don't use Channel 4's on demand service to access Channel 4 content, for the same reasons).
Confirming the launch of the player, the Beeb's Director Of Future Media And Technology, Ashley Highfield, told reporters: "BBC iPlayer is a free catch-up service for UK licence fee payers. Your favourite programmes from all the BBC's network TV channels will be available to download over the internet, and watch on your PC without advertising for up to a week after transmission".