The BBC Trust has given initial approval for on-demand plans.

"Under the proposals, viewers will be able to watch popular programmes online or download them to a home computer up to a week after they are broadcast," says the BBC.

Fans can, of course, usually already do that, thanks to the p2p networks. And the on-demand scheme relies on time-delay DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) consumer control.

"A programme will remain playable for 30 days after being downloaded or seven days after being watched," says the BBC, ignoring the reality that anything which can be seen or heard can be copied by one means or another.

But the trust imposed wants to exclude classical music, saying, "There is a potential negative market impact if the BBC allows listeners to build an extensive library of classical music that will serve as a close substitute for commercially available downloads or CDs."

Full approval of the on-demand plans will follow a two-month consultation after which, "the BBC will be able to launch its long-awaited iPlayer, a computer application which allows audiences to watch or download any programme from the last seven days," says the story.

However, the Beeb says it's agreed with broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, "which said earlier this month that the iPlayer could have a 'negative effect' on commercial rivals."

Because of that, the trust has imposed several conditions on the BBC, ie, "It wants the corporation to scale back plans to let downloaded 'catch-up' episodes remain on users' hard drives for 13 weeks, suggesting that 30 days is enough."

It goes on, "Chris Woolard, head of finance, economics and strategy at the Trust, defended the decision to cut the storage time. When people record a programme at home 'if they don't look at it within 48 hours, they don't look at it at all', he said.

Because of 'stacking' some shows, though, will be viewable until a week after transmission of the final instalment.

"Trustees said the BBC needed to be clearer about which programmes would be offered on this service - but suggested 'landmark' series 'with a beginning and end', like Planet Earth or Doctor Who, should be eligible."

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Also See:
BBC - BBC's download plans get backing, January 31, 2007