iPlayer Expands Beyond BBC In The UK, Prepares For Global Invasion

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It’s taken nine months, but the BBC’s iPlayer has finally fulfilled its promise to become a VoD aggregator for British television. Content from competing networks ITV, Channel Four, Channel Five, S4C and SeeSaw has started appearing on the BBC service (along with content from MSN Video Player, oddly enough), which is the most popular VoD service in the United Kingdom.

The move was first announced months ago, but has taken this long to make a reality due to both nerves on the part of the broadcasters and also the BBC’s own Trust ruling body blocking the plan as being “too complex.” The change happens ahead of the iPlayer’s expected international launch later this year, and could be seen as a trial run for the international iPlayer’s positioning as an international hub for the best original content from multiple British providers. Easy access to Coronation Street is one step closer to being our reality.

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