BBC iPlayer to show programmes ahead of live TV broadcasts

The BBC is launching a new trial in which programmes will be released online ahead of scheduled television broadcasts.

In January 2013, over 187 million people requested to view iPlayer content via TV, internet and smartphones, and for the next 12 months users will be able to watch up to 40 hours across a range of genres online before it is shown on television.

The new strategy from the BBC has been endorsed in an attempt to rival other online television and film rental services such as Netflix, who recently released House of Cards via digital only platforms.

In 2012, the BBC released its own selection of online-only programmes including a Doctor Who web series called ‘Pond Life’, which was streamed or downloaded 5 million times.

Ian Walker, the BBC publicist for future media, has said that the BBC will build on this in 2013 and will make “more programming exclusively available to online audiences via BBC iPlayer.”

Despite the huge iPlayer viewing figures last month, the online service only makes up 2% of the BBC’s total broadcasting figures. The BBC is responsible for 20% of all viewing in the UK.

The overall aim of the trial is to see whether iPlayer viewing figures can be increased by the release of early content online. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Media analyst Claire Enders notes that the BBC is “such a significant force that it can afford to experiment.

“We will see which programmes they pick but I don’t see that this is going to affect EastEnders, it will be a marquee programme because they are constantly trying to experiment about what people consume.”