BBC Begins Research On Freeview VOD Service

The BBC is to begin a research trial on the Freeview platform of a video on demand (VOD) service which will utilise the platform’s interactive capabilities.

Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s director of future media and technology, said that the BBC is currently working with a manufacturer of set-top boxes in order to segment a section of the hard drive on Freeview personal video recorders (PVRs).

The aim is to create a simple interface for the interactive menu, allowing viewers to choose from

Highfield added that the service is just a research project and that the corporation does not intend it to be launched.

The BBC has also been considering ways in which to get the iPlayer, currently PC-tethered, onto other platforms, said Highfield, adding that the aim is to get the “best service on every platform”.

The iPlayer was given the green-light by the BBC Trust at the end of January, although with some significant changes following an Ofcom market impact assessment (see BBC Trust Approves iPlayer Service).

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