BBC proposes pre-ordering on iPlayer

The BBC has formally proposed to add a download pre-ordering function to its iPlayer video on demand service.

The BBC Trust, which must approve the change, today began a public consultation and published details of executives' plans.

Users would be able to book single programmes or full series up to seven days before they air on linear television. The iPlayer would then download the show at an "optimum time for the user, the UK internet and the BBC".

The iPlayer would be likely to download the videos prior to their linear broadcast, the BBC said, but digital rights management protection would render each one unviewable until it had been aired.

The corporation said the change would help internet service providers, some of which have complained about the growth in traffic associated with the iPlayer, by reducing peak-time bandwidth requirements. Pre-booking would also save users from waiting for files to download without, unlike the existing streaming function, compromising on image quality, said the BBC.

"Pre-booking is a relatively simple addition to the iPlayer that will bring benefits for users and, in terms of reduced costs, for ISPs, and that would have limited potential for negative market impact," said the report.

The change would have little market impact, said the corporation, as it would be a "minor piece of functionality relative to other elements and attributes of the iPlayer", though it may have a "minimal" affect on sales of PVRs in the long term.

Pre-booking would not initially be available on Virgin Media or other TV platforms though, "to the extent that is technically feasible and delivers good value for money", the BBC would work to transfer it.