App allows Irish viewers to watch BBC iPlayer

THE BBC has finally opened up its iPlayer service to Irish userswith the start just after midnight of an iPad application aimed atinternational viewers.

Fans of BBC programmes such as Doctor Who, Blue Planetand FawltyTowerswill be able to access the programmes through Global iPlayer,over wireless internet or a mobile 3G connection.

However, users will have to pay a subscription fee to access thevideo on demand service, BBC said. The service has been developed byBBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.

"This is a unique and different product," said Jana Bennett,president of BBC Worldwide networks and Global iPlayer.

"The Global iPlayer has a similar name, the same high standardlook and feel and user experience, but that's where the resemblancestarts to end."

The iPlayer service for the UK market, launched in 2007, showslive broadcasts, the previous seven days of programming on itschannels and also includes access to BBC's radio channels. Theinternational app will have a slightly different focus, opening upthe BBC's archives and mixing classics with new content.

"It's a different proposition and a very different business modelaimed at the international market," said Ms Bennett. "The content isdifferent, the underlying technology is different and so is theconsumer and market need we're addressing."

The launch is part of a pilot scheme being tested in 11 westernEuropean countries including Ireland, Belgium, Germany and Spain.About 1,500 hours of content are available on the app.

Classics such as Only Fools and Horsesand Last of the SummerWineare available to watch alongside newer productions such asLutherand Top Gearin the international app.

Viewers will also be able to access news and culturalprogramming. Children's shows have also been included in the launchline-up.

The global app groups content differently, opting for genre and"editorial curation" of content to highlight interesting programmesavailable through the service.

Subscribers will also be able to download the content to theiriPad to watch later or in places where there may not be an internetconnection, limited only by the capacity of the iPad. The availablecontent will also change from country to country.

Ms Bennett said about 100 hours a month of new content would beadded to the iPlayer international service.

The app is free to download from Apple's iTunes store but theservice will cost users [euro]6.99 a month or [euro]49.99 for theyear.

A limited amount of content will be available free, as part ofdeals with sponsors.

Subscribers will get an ad- and sponsor-free service.