News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

February 1, 2007

video

Tell the BBC to support non-Microsoft software for video downloads

Posted Feb. 1, ’07, 1:02 PM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Video

BBC OnlineHere’s some good news: there seems to be one television organization who actually understands the future of television. Unfortunately for us in the US, that organization is the BBC. The BBC is currently running a survey about their proposed functionality for on-demand television programming. It might not have much of an impact on US users, but it does have an impact on British Mac users.

One of the questions on the survey asks “How important is it that the proposed seven-day catch-up service over the internet is available to consumers who are not using Microsoft software?” I think most Mac users would agree: “pretty damn important.” It’s not as simple as just checking off a box; they actually ask for you to write a little answer to the question, but if you’re a Mac user living in the UK, and you’re interested in watching video from the BBC, I’d recommend putting your two pence in, quick. The final decision is scheduled for May 2nd of this year.

I’m a little bummed that there’s no option to tell them that I’d gladly fork over some cash in order to watch BBC programming here in the US. With the likes of Doctor Who, Life on Mars, and Spooks, it beats the pants (sorry, trousers) off of most of what’s on American television.

[via Macworld UK]


6 Comments

Kalessin said:

Don't forget Hustle. You guys get Hustle, right? I'm off to fill in the survey now. With any luck, they'll consider QuickTime, and not force us to use RealPlayer, as they currently do with much of their content. Now, where's the box to remind them I pay their wages? ;)

February 1, 2007 1:43 PM
george said:

Closing date for receiving responses is 5pm, Wednesday 28 March 2007.
Come on you Brits, tell the BBC to support the Mac platform!

February 1, 2007 2:17 PM
Elvis said:

Well spotted! Have filled in the consultation already.

February 1, 2007 2:22 PM
Kelmon said:

You can say "pants" in the UK but with the understanding that it means underwear rather than trousers. Beating the pants off something definitely is used as a phrase but its meaning is perhaps a bit more risqué than the US interpretation...

February 1, 2007 11:22 PM
Gary said:

The worrying thing about the Corporation is how pro-Windows their whole offering is.
It is not in the interest of the public for the BBC to provide exclusive content for the Microsoft Windows platform. I am consistently dismayed by the BBC's lack of support for both Linux and OS X in their current offerings, and also worried by the anti-Apple slant of many technology news articles on the BBC website. Their recent coverage of the iPhone was ill-informed nonsense. Take this article for example - the iPhone is bad because it might be difficult to use?!?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6252991.stm

February 2, 2007 2:23 AM

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