The BBC"s flagship online TV service is being launched, offering viewers the chance to download their favourite programmes from the last seven days. For director general Mark Thompson, the launch of iPlayer is as big a milestone as the arrival of colour TV. But others have questioned how technically reliable it will be and whether it is late to a crowded market. At launch, a fixed number of people will be able to sign up, with the numbers increasing throughout the year.
The iPlayer allows viewers to download a selection of programmes from the last seven days and watch them for up to 30 days afterwards. In the UK, Channel 4 offers a similar service, called 4OD, for programmes across its portfolio of channels. Viewers interested in the iPlayer can register for the service on Friday and will then be invited to join. The number of users will increase over the summer, before a full launch in the autumn.