17 May 2005
The BBC has announced trials of a new service that will allow broadband users to download television and radio programmes after they have aired.
Starting in September this year, 5,000 people will trial the interactive media player (iMP), in what the BBC hopes will become the broadcasting equivalent of Apple's successful music service, iTunes.
Using peer-to-peer technology, customers will be able to browse through around 190 hours of TV programmes such as Eastenders and Top Gear, for up to a week after they originally aired.
Ashley Highfield, BBC director of new media and technology, said: "iMP could just be the iTunes for the broadcast industry, enabling our audience to access our TV and radio programmes on their terms - anytime, any place, any how."
"We'll see what programmes appeal in this new world and how people search, sort, snack and savour our content in the broadband world," he added.
It is thought there is large potential for such a project because of the rising number of people using broadband to access the internet.
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