BBC Worldwide plans a paid for international version of iPlayer in a move which would give it more control over the price of its content, and could provide an alternative to iTunes for accessing the same. The plan still requires approval from the BBC Trust. If approved, international viewers will be able to buy episodes of the BBC’s top-flight shows, such as Doctor Who, Torchwood and Top Gear. The broadcaster would also make available some classic shows from its archives. Domestic UK iPlayer content won’t be made available because of rights issues, but the service will be able to carry content from other broadcasters, such as Channel 4, to an international audience. The plan has been in development for the last six months, and is certainly an attempt on the part of the BBC to offer its shows at higher prices than Apple allows with iTunes. “Millions of people love Torchwood and would probably pay 10 bucks an episode rather than two bucks,” said BBC Worldwide executive vice president, Luke Bradley Jones. Via: Broadcast Now
