BBC iPlayer should be 'platform agnostic'

The BBC Trust is to meet with the Open Source Consortium (OSC), a group which has previously raised concerns that the corporation's iPlayer on-demand service is not able to work across all computer operating systems.

When the BBC iPlayer launches on July 27 it will only work with PCs running Microsoft Windows XP.

The BBC does intend to roll out the service to work on other operating systems, with a version for Apple Macs available by autumn, and versions for Windows Vista and mobile devices to follow.

Earlier this year the OSC complained to the BBC Trust, the Department of Trade and Industry and regulator Ofcom, saying that the iPlayer will force people to use and purchase Microsoft products, giving the software company an unfair and uncompetitive advantage.

In April the BBC Trust gave final approval for the iPlayer, with one of the conditions being that "platform neutrality be achieved as soon as possible," with reviews every six months.

In June, the OSC threatened to make a complaint to the European Commission, and though no formal complaint has been lodged, the OSC has taken legal advice.

Following a meeting between the OSC and Ofcom, the BBC Trust has now invited the advocacy group to discuss their concerns.

Mark Taylor, president of OSC, told the BBC that there are "major players" within the open source community willing to commit engineering resources to help the BBC ensure the iPlayer works on different systems.