Telegraph
An international version of the iPlayer will be launched next year after receiving the approval of the BBC Trust.
John Smith, the chief executive of BBC Worldwide, the BBC's commercial wing, said it would open up the "under-exploited" market for UK shows, such as Doctor Who, he went on to say "Not only will that mean international fans of, for example, Doctor Who can get their fix legitimately [rather than downloading programmes illegally], but it has the potential of opening up a new revenue stream for the entire UK production industry, alongside sales to traditional broadcasters.
The move will mean that advertising could be introduced on to the iPlayer unless BBC Worldwide decides to charge viewers to use the service.
Executives have yet to decide which option will be introduced, but they said the Trust's decision will enable them to raise funds needed after the Government's decision to freeze the licence fee.
It is estimated that global audiences would pay up to $10 for an episode of its most popular shows.
2 Comments / Please post a Comment:
We're so deprived of Doctor Who over here, we'll watch the commercials for the opportunity of getting an iPlayer.
Besides, by the time it makes it to BBCAmerica, we have to sit through over twenty minutes of ads for each hour of TV viewing.
I heard a lot good things about Doctor Who from my father because he is watching it in UK. I hope I can watch it using BBC Iplayer abroad.
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