>> BBC News: BBC web downloads set to launch
>> BBC News: What does on-demand TV offer?
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From tomorrow, UK licence fee payers will be able to register their interest in taking part in the first public tests of the brand-new BBC iPlayer service. iPlayer will allow viewers to catch up with around 400 hours of BBC TV shows every week by downloading them to their Windows XP computers. In the autumn the scheme will be expanded to Apple Macs, with support for Windows Vista and other devices to be added later.
Programmes from all BBC TV channels (including digital channels and regional programmes from BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) will be available to download for up to 7 days after transmission. Once downloaded viewers have up to 30 days to start watching a programme before it is automatically deleted from their computer.
The whole system has been designed to be extremely straight-forward to use. I looked at it in action earlier today and it is even simpler than Listen Again for BBC Radio.
STOP PRESS: You can now register your interest in the iPlayer trial using the following link:
>> BBC iPlayer
Keep an eye on this page in coming weeks for more on iPlayer.
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