December 10, 2009

TV’s With Integrated BBC iPlayer Hit the Market

The first TV’s to offer built-in access to BBC iPlayer and YouTube channels have been launched, and they are expected to outgrow supply in the lead up to Christmas.

The iViewer, which has taken a year to develop, has been created by British firm Cello and it will only be available from Marks & Spencer’s.

This is another step towards the integration of television and video on demand (VOD) using IPTV technology, to give audiences greater control over what they watch and when.

Online Video Boom Accelerates

The popularity of services like the BBC iPlayer continues to boost the numbers of people accessing video online. In America a recent study by Nielsen found that during the third quarter of 2009 people accessing online video rose by 34.9% compared with the previous year.

This growing popularity is encouraging a demand from viewers to watch online video on their TV’s, not just on their computers.

Last month, CEO and founder of TV Genius Tom Weiss, heralded the introduction of the BBC iPlayer on Freesat as “a sign of things to come.” The production of the iViewer is further evidence of this.

More Than Just the iPlayer on the iViewer

The TV’s have built in Internet access so all that is required to connect to online video is a broadband or Wi-Fi connection. As well as being able to access the BBC iPlayer, Disney Movies Preview, Movie Rush, Autocar Magazine, Sky Sports Boots and All, the CNN daily video podcast, Jamie’s Ministry of Food, Delicious TV Veg, and the Larry King video podcast will become available.

Last week TV Genius, specialists in IPTV technology, announced the launch of a converged three screen solution that will allow “viewers to discover programming from a variety of sources – including broadcast TV and catch-up/VOD on television or online.”

Continued advancements in IPTV technology such as this, coupled with the growing demand for VOD will continue to shape our future viewing habits.