BBC Four & CBBC to close

[XIII]

I disagree a super charged BBC SVODs merged with BBC BritBox content and UKTV Play at the right price could work. Could even launch globally.

I think iPlayer should be a catch up service up to 30 days. It should only be available through the TV.

The app and website would be replaced with the new service.

That's never going to happen.

[Brekkie]

I suspect part of the reason the BBC relies on the archive increasingly for the iPlayer is because it's been curtailed when it comes to new content though. Of course it also acts as a hook to bring people in to view new content.

In many ways though the BBC are trying to have their cake and eat it when it comes to archive content and both exploit it commercially through third party deals and exploit it themselves on the iPlayer. What it does do is make the iPlayer a more realistic alternative to a subscription service as people cut back on subscriptions, and that in itself is arguably some kind of PSB.

[natashajacobs]

I disagree a super charged BBC SVODs merged with BBC BritBox content and UKTV Play at the right price could work. Could even launch globally.

I think iPlayer should be a catch up service up to 30 days. It should only be available through the TV.

The app and website would be replaced with the new service.

That's never going to happen.

I like the idea of a hybrid similar to the new ITVX, where the last 6 months’ content is free on licence fee and everything else is AVOD/SVOD

[L1]

That's never going to happen.

I like the idea of a hybrid similar to the new ITVX, where the last 6 months’ content is free on licence fee and everything else is AVOD/SVOD

I can't see how the BBC could ask anyone to pay for content on iPlayer which they have already paid for via the licence fee. Perhaps one future model could be the more traditional PSB content funded out of taxation (a lesser amount than the present licence fee of course) and the more populist programmes on subscription to those willing to pay more. That would be the end of the BBC as we know of it course.

[CATV]

I disagree a super charged BBC SVODs merged with BBC BritBox content and UKTV Play at the right price could work. Could even launch globally.

I think iPlayer should be a catch up service up to 30 days. It should only be available through the TV.

The app and website would be replaced with the new service.

That's never going to happen.

One of the reasons the government at the time denied project kangaroo because they never believed streaming would take off and even made comments about the BBC investing in iPlayer.  Now look.  So if theres one lesson in life never say never.

[telebox2001]

Blocking Kangaroo was, with hindsight, so daft. If there is one thing the UK desperately needs, it's an aggregator for all free to view VOD content. If you want to make PSB streaming happen, that's the way to do it.

If anything I'd like to see Britbox go. That content would work far better without subscription, using the BBC iPlayer and ITVX respectively. Maybe UKTV Play if such an option is uneconomic for the BBC, but ITV have the ads or subscription choice already.

But if you want "digital first" (which really is just BS speak for "online first") you have to make that available to the masses. People will tolerate adverts if it's free.

[Mateus Honrado]

Blocking Kangaroo was, with hindsight, so daft.

That and the platform intended for the project ultimately became the shortlived Seesaw VOD service.

[JetixFann450]

If anything, a platform that congregates the content from BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All4, and so on would be perfe-



Well, it's not perfect, but Plex does seem like what Kangaroo would've been, minus having to have the individual services to access.

[telebox2001]

That looks ideal. Virgin 360, for example, has aggregation of VOD in their own ecosystem, the iPlayer and occasionally Netflix/Amazon but it isn't perfect. Often won't show up titles on ITV Hub and, especially, All4.

[natashajacobs]

I like the idea of a hybrid similar to the new ITVX, where the last 6 months’ content is free on licence fee and everything else is AVOD/SVOD

I can't see how the BBC could ask anyone to pay for content on iPlayer which they have already paid for via the licence fee. Perhaps one future model could be the more traditional PSB content funded out of taxation (a lesser amount than the present licence fee of course) and the more populist programmes on subscription to those willing to pay more. That would be the end of the BBC as we know of it course.

You haven’t paid for it indefinitely though, you’ve just paid for the first showing of it. Otherwise shows would never leave iPlayer and go onto Netflix and the like

[Brekkie]

Exactly, and part of the funding model nowadays is for the BBC not to wholly fund a production as other partners (usually streamers) have the secondary and international rights from the outset.

[RR]

If anything I'd like to see Britbox go.  That content would work far better without subscription, using the BBC iPlayer and ITVX respectively.  Maybe UKTV Play if such an option is uneconomic for the BBC, but ITV have the ads or subscription choice already.

But the BBC are paid for their content on Britbox - in the same way as they are if it is sold to the likes of Amazon or Netflix, or if it is sold on DVDs. If they lose that income, then fewer new programmes will be made.

[XIII]

BritBox is owned exclusively by ITV in the UK and 50/50 with BBC Studios internationally so it's a very lucrative business. To suggest scrapping it is incredibly daft.

[CantGetIn]

The BBC never really seemed to have its heart in Britbox. The idea was to show content from all broadcasters, one would assume it has failed as BBC has pulled out of its stake. Content is currently still on the platform as separate to ownership, but will it remain.

[Ash101]

Did the BBC pull out in the UK? I was under the impression that ITV decided they wanted full control and are going to phase it out once ITVX comes along?

I think because of some Ofcom rule, BBC only had a small stake in the UK version anyway?