Independent producers have expressed concern about BBC plans to make programmes available on the iPlayer for at least 12 months after broadcast.
The online platform was originally intended as a live and catch-up service. The BBC’s proposals have been sent to Ofcom for consideration after it carried out a full Public Interest Test
In a submission to Ofcom, PACT, the trade association for UK independent producers, said it was “concerned that the BBC’s planned extension of its exclusive VOD rights to 12 months will mean that the BBC’s content will not be available to other content providers, or services until the value of such content to other providers has significantly declined or been reduced to zero.”
All3Media, which comprises leading production companies, called on the BBC “to balance any change with amendments to its commercial terms, policy and practice to ensure that independent producers and other rights holders are fairly remunerated and/or able to pursue new opportunities to compensate for the enhanced exploitation rights the BBC acquire.”
The BBC is also proposing that selected returning titles should be available as full box sets of all series and wants the iPlayer to showcase more content from the BBC archive.
BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore said: “Audience expectations have changed dramatically, viewers are now used to being able to watch what they want when they want, and they expect much more from BBC iPlayer.
“We want to make the best UK programmes available to audiences for longer and provide a range of series and box sets for everyone to enjoy. This will bring the BBC iPlayer in line with what other services already offer and give audiences even greater value for their licence fee.
“The media landscape is changing rapidly, and global media giants are increasingly dominant. We hope Ofcom can consider these plans quickly and enable us to deliver what UK audiences want and expect.”
