BBC iPlayer set to go global

People living outside the UK could soon be able to access the BBC’s popular on-demand Internet TV service, as plans for Global iPlayer are stepped up.

Approval for the service has recently been received from the BBC’s governing body, BBC Trust, thus paving the way for the launch of iPlayer world wide.

At present, BBC iPlayer can only be accessed from within the UK, but a global version would change all that. Whether living outside the UK, or just on holiday, people would be able to catch up on a range of episodes, such as EastEnders, Pobol y Cwm and Doctor Who.

Currently, BBC iPlayer is funded by British taxpayers, through the TV licence fee. However, because overseas viewers are not subject to the TV licence fee, the international version of the iPlayer will need to be funded differently, either through the introduction of advertising on to iPlayer itself, or by charging viewers to use the service.