ex-bbc director general says bbc progs on video ipod?

In a piece for the Independent, ex BBC Director General, Greg Dyke makes some comments regarding the BBC and video iPod.

“In Britain the BBC is planning a similar service by making most of its programming available on platforms like the video ipod for seven days after it has been broadcast. The difference is the BBC programmes will be available for free. Their logic is that the public have already paid for the programmes through the licence fee and it would be unfair to make them pay again.” – Grey Dyke

This may be being taken too literally by others.

‘Like the video iPod’ does not necessarily mean the video iPod.

The 7 days after broadcast service Dyke refers to sounds like the Interactive Media Player (iMP), noted previously. This has been described as “iTunes for the broadcast industry” by Ashley Highgate, BBC Director of New Media & Technology.

He made this comment before iTunes itself became the iTunes for the broadcast industry… well for the content owners at least.

I have seen no details regarding portable devices and iMP. Unfortunately iMP is Windows only and uses Windows DRM therefore any portable device to be used would also have to use Windows DRM. So initially the iPod looks out of the frame.

You can drill Ashley Highgate for more details of the iMP at the next Public Address Great Blend event. Auckland and Wellington events.

On the iPod

>Apple have announced what appears to be very decent turnover in video sales on iTunes, though there’s no breakdown on the categories. I suspect a good share will be music videos.

Of course there’s plenty of other video content out there for the video iPod including a range of video podcasts. I haven’t watched Drivetime but concept alone is worth noting. Instead of being a consumer of media whilst commuting Ravi Jain is using the time he drives to work to create content. Picking up interesting passengers, interviewing them and publishing the results as video podcasts.

Here’s his channel on iTunes.