Did you know the BBC (aunty) is holding open consultations at the moment regarding an on-demand service. You fill out a questionare here and answer a load of questions.
I thought I would share my answers with the class, and I would encourage anyone not using a MS based computer to do the complete the survey when taking question 5 into consideration.
Question 1
Do you agree with the BBC Trust’s proposal to approve the new BBC on-demand services, subject to the modifications outlined in the Trust’s report of its provisional conclusions?
I agree that the content created by the corporation should be publicly available online. We paid for the content generation so why shouldn’t we have access to it on demand. It is just a shame that the content is not available for a longer period.
Question 2
In a market in which most broadcasters are expected to be offering on-demand services, would you agree that it is a priority for the BBC to be investing in this area?
The BBC’s primary purpose should always be about making content of an exemplary quality and for the most part it achieves this goal. Delivery of the content outside the traditional broadcasting methods is growing in importance as technology becomes available to general licence payers to receive this content. I believe that the delivery of content on demand should be of equal importance as traditional broadcast methods and as time goes on I feel it will become more important as access to fast broadband connectivity becomes ubiquitous and the consumer grows more accustomed to developing their own programming habits by using the technology.
Question 3
The BBC Trust has proposed setting a limit of 30 days as the amount of time that programmes can be stored on a computer before being viewed. As this is a nascent market, there is currently no clear standard on the length of the storage window. On balance, the Trust thinks 30 days is the right length of time. How long do you think consumers should be able to store BBC programmes on their computers before viewing them?
I believe that the online archive for programmes should be available for ever. Storage costs for video files is decreasing daily and the infrastructure to achieve this is not insurmountable, especially if some compromise is made to picture quality for online purposes. With most content now being produced or at least processed digitally, it should not be difficult to achieve an online archive.
A more cynical person might suggest that the trust setting this limit to protect their DVD sales figures. May I suggest that they get in touch with Apple Computer who would jump at the chance of making the content available to all iTunes users in the UK and abroad.
Micropayments for the sales of long undistributed programs will still outweigh their cost of storage and distribution. I would suggest a book called the “The Long Tail: How Endless Choice Is Creating Unlimited Demand” by Chris Anderson
Question 4
The BBC Trust concluded that public value would be created by allowing series stacking. This would allow viewers to catch-up with all episodes of a series for the duration of its run. The Trust recognised that although it would provide increased opportunities to view BBC programmes, it could also deter people from buying DVDs or using commercial video-on-demand services. Do you consider series stacking to be a useful feature? What kind of series would you expect to be included? Should there be any limitation on the number of episodes of a series made available for catch-up or the length of time for which they can be viewed?
See answer three here really. I don’t want stacking to catch up. I want an archive I can enjoy. This is the new medium we are talking about not an adjunct to broadcast.
The DVD business has about 2-3 years of life left. The format war raging over HD and the coming online of movie and content distribution via every speedier broadband connections is starting to bang nails into the DVD and other forms of physical media.
Keep everything available and charge peanuts for it. It cost next to nothing to do this and someone, somewhere will buy it if it is available, Ask the iTunes music store or Amazon who both follow this business model and make a fortune from it.
The last stumbling block is DRM. As far as I am concerned there should be NO DRM on BBC content. We have already paid for the content to be created with license payments and tax from the government. If the cost of distribution is reduced by online delivery, I think a small reimbursement for delivery and hosting is reasonable but it should not cost the same as a BBC DVD does today.
Question 5
How important is it that the proposed seven-day catch-up service over the internet is available to consumers who are not using Microsoft software?
ANY closed system is BAD. I am an Apple Macintosh user so are 20 million of my friends, that is a big number of license payers to annoy.
Non Microsoft platforms are growing, The Mac platform has a growth of about 16% at the moment. Linux also is increasing in popularity as the benefits of non propriotory systems are being discovered and the alternatives mature and surpass windows in useablility and features.
As a computer analyst and video technician, I suggest you look at H.264 over WMV, the files are smaller for better quality and everyone can open them.
Question 6
Should the BBC be allowed to offer book readings from its radio services as audio downloads over the internet?
Hell Yes, I listen to Radio4 every morning. All BBC radio content should be available. Publishing them as podcasts for the visually impaired to listen to? Again team with Apple and sell them via iTunes as an alternative to Audible’s RIP off prices.
Question 7
The BBC Trust concluded there was fine balance between public value and market impact in deciding whether to allow the BBC to offer audio downloads of classical music. While such downloads could help introduce new listeners to classical music, they could also deter purchases of commercial recordings. What is your view on whether – and to what extent – the BBC should be allowed to offer radio broadcasts of classical music as audio downloads over the internet?
We have already paid for the content to be created. Everyone has. Why pander to the demands of other companies. Who exactly do the trust work for? Us or the BMA?
My brother in law is a violinist for the BBC concert orchestra. We pay towards his wages, why shouldn’t I be able to listen to his music on my iPod if I want to?
Question 8
How important is it to you that the BBC provides some means for parents to control which of its programmes are accessible on-demand to children? Is such a facility necessary or is it more a matter for parents to exercise controls over how children use the internet?
I have children of 9 and 14 and do shelter them from adult content wherever possible however I feel that there should be only as much as there is on the broadcast media currently, a warning of adult content and correct labeling.
A buy in to some kind of content protection scheme might be effective however they are all circumventable in some way.
There are far worse things freely available on the internet than the BBC produce. Protection of children is the responsibility of the parent not the BBC who should only offer guidance.
Question 9
What are your views on whether the BBC should offer content from non-BBC providers on the on-demand service on its website?
I feel the BBC should only offer BBC produced or commissioned content on their services.
Question 10
What are your views on whether and how the BBC should make available on-demand content on services run by other providers – such as multi-channel services or internet-based audio and video downloading services?
I think this is a great idea, just be careful not to pick only one distributer who has a vested interest in locking in content to their platform. Both Microsoft and Apple are guilty of this. Use both!
Question 11
Do the revisions proposed to BBC Service Licences to allow the new services to go ahead seem appropriate?
Are these available online?
Yes its a good idea if:
No DRM, We already paid for it didn’t we?
All catalogue online always (someone somewhere will buy it if its cheap enough)
Question 12
Are there any other issues you would like the BBC Trust to consider in relation to the proposed services?
Say NO to DRM?
Open formats like H.264
did I mention NO DRM?