28 October 2006
People will be able to download their favourite BBC TV programmes via the internet sooner than they thought.
The BBC has announced that its new iPlayer technology will go live from July 27th.
UK customers will be able to download TV shows to their PC using the internet seven days after they are broadcast and, once watched the programmes will be deleted automatically.
Although currently limited to PCs, Mr Highfield hoped that version for Apple Macs would be available in autumn, as well as versions for Windows Vista.
Freeview and cable viewers are also set to benefit from the service, with Virgin Media rolling out the service later this year.
The BBC have also revealed that deals with MSN, AOL, telegraph.co.uk, Tiscali, Yahoo, MySpace, Blinkx and Bebo were also being discussed.
Ashley Highfield, Director of Future Media and Technology said: "BBC iPlayer is a free catch-up service for UK licence fee payers.
"Your favourite programmes from all the BBC's network TV channels will be available to download over the internet, and watch on your PC without advertising for up to a week after transmission."
Mr Highfield, added that he was confident of attracting one million users to the iPlayer broadband TV service in its first year.