BBC goes P2P

Paul K · 20-12-2006, 15:34

BBC

Quote:

Hundreds of episodes of BBC programmes will be made available on a file-sharing network for the first time, the corporation has announced.
The move follows a deal between the commercial arm of the organisation, BBC Worldwide, and technology firm Azureus.

The agreement means that users of Azureus' Zudeo software in the US can download titles such as Little Britain.

Until now, most BBC programmes found on peer-to-peer file-sharing networks have been illegal copies.

Beth Clearfield, vice president of program management and digital media at BBC Worldwide, said that the agreement was part of a drive to reach the largest audience possible.

Well this could get interesting if it forces others into allowing their programming to be distributed in this way.

Chrysalis · 20-12-2006, 15:41

This only interests me if they start distributing their archives of things like grange hill and totp.

Paul K · 20-12-2006, 15:47

There was talk of the archives being opened up some time soon. Maybe this is them testing the water?

Nikesh · 20-12-2006, 16:06

Imagine being able to access nearly everything that has aired on BBC. That would be incredible

Paul K · 20-12-2006, 16:28

Would be but note this....

Quote:

users of Azureus' Zudeo software in the US

This

Quote:

No pricing structure for the BBC content on Zudeo has been revealed.

And this

Quote:

The titles will be protected by digital rights management software to prevent the programmes being traded illegally on the internet.

Gareth · 20-12-2006, 17:09

Hopefully that's just to stop non-licence fee-paying people outside Blighty from accessing it.

Paul K · 20-12-2006, 17:13

But how would Blighty bound fee license fee payers be allowed to download them? I get the feeling this is not going to be good for Brits

Gareth · 20-12-2006, 17:22

Yeah, sorry, re-reading the article and actually taking the time to understand it shows that my post above completely misses the point.

Sorry... it's been a long day

/me == retard

Paul K · 20-12-2006, 17:28

I get the feeling a lot of people will miss it too when they read the article on the BBC

Chrysalis · 21-12-2006, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

There was talk of the archives being opened up some time soon. Maybe this is them testing the water?

yeah there was but was a year or two ago and still nothing.

28-12-2006, 06:50

So if it is going on other P2P platforms, I take it they are scrapping the iMP idea?, But making it avaiable on other P2P servies won't make the BBC happy however will keep the downloaders happy, the reason I think the BBC wont be happy is because the Licening, wont anyone in the world be able to download, and two didn't they not have a DRM on the content on iMP?

Chris W · 28-12-2006, 22:10

perhaps a system where there is DRM, but entering your TV license number on your "account" gives you unlimited credit to download what you please... then that ensures those who don't pay their license fee can't download for free

poolking · 30-12-2006, 00:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris W

perhaps a system where there is DRM, but entering your TV license number on your "account" gives you unlimited credit to download what you please... then that ensures those who don't pay their license fee can't download for free

I thought this system is for US citizens only, so I don't think TV license number would come into it?

Druchii · 30-12-2006, 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris W

perhaps a system where there is DRM, but entering your TV license number on your "account" gives you unlimited credit to download what you please... then that ensures those who don't pay their license fee can't download for free

Until Un-DRM'd versions become available, if not more popular than the DRM'd ones themselves.

Hom3r · 30-12-2006, 01:26

I very much doubt that older programs (early 90s and earlier would be done)

Plus think of the storage needed to hold all these titles, plus the time needed to encode them on to PCs