16 October 2007
Today, the BBC and Adobe have announced that they are to engage in a strategic partnership, which will see the BBC adopt Adobe’s Flash Player software. This will allow Mac and Linux users to use the broadcaster’s iPlayer streaming video service, which until this point, had not been possible.
In a bid to provide a consistent user experience, the majority of the BBC’s streamed video and audio content will be moved over to this format, although it hasn’t currently been confirmed whether users who use Windows will view video content in Flash format.
Currently being trialled as a open beta programme, the iPlayer is currently run on Microsoft’s Windows Media format which requires Windows XP, or Windows Vista to operate. The full launch of the software is expected to be around Christmas, when users on all three platforms (Mac, Linux and Windows) will be able to view Adobe’s Flash Video format.
BBC Future Media and Technology Group Controller, Erik Huggers, said:
I'm delighted to announce this strategic relationship with Adobe. It is important to ensure that BBC iPlayer is available on as many platforms as possible. It will offer our audiences increased flexibility as to how and when they consume our content, both live and on-demand, on bbc.co.uk. With a complete end-to-end workflow, Adobe's video solutions will revolutionise how we create and deliver content to audiences in the digital age.
Bruce Chizen, chief executive officer of Adobe added,
Adobe is driving the next generation of video delivery by accelerating the fusion of TV and the Internet. With more control over playback, interactivity and branding, the move to Flash Player compatible video will help the BBC to engage audiences by delivering a seamless, instant-on Web video experience.
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