The BBC wants to make more of its older programmes from the archives available on the BBC iPlayer, and Ofcom is minded to say ‘yes’.
Since 2019, audiences have been able to access programmes on BBC iPlayer for 12 months from broadcast as standard. Older programmes are also available – for example past series of returning titles – but the BBC currently limits their availability.
The BBC no longer wants to apply those limits so it can increase the amount of older content on the iPlayer.
Ofcom has initially indicated it thinks the impact on other broadcasters will be limited. However, Ofcom is required to ensure that any BBC proposal isn’t ‘material’ – that is, whether it may have a significant adverse impact on fair and effective competition. As a result, it has opened a public consultation on the matter which runs until 14th November 2022.
Context
The BBC’s proposals follow a year in which the corporation’s relationship with BritBox UK has changed, allowing ITV to take full control of the UK division ahead of the launch of ITVX. Previously, older BBC content was divided between iPlayer and BritBox. BritBox UK still showcases some BBC content, but the BBC wants to push its own service. And the BBC also wants BBC Four – the home of BBC archive content – to ultimately move online altogether. Allowing the BBC to have free reign on how much older content can be added to the service will help achieve that goal.
Iain Hatton