The BBC has announced some shows on iPlayer will now be prefaced by trailers for additional content.
After testing standalone trailers over the past 12 months, the corporation says it will now be using them as pre-roll content.
The idea is to show viewers other content they may be interested, depending on what they’re viewing.
All of the ads will be for other BBC shows, but users will still be given the opportunity to skip the trailer if it’s not up their alley.
In a post on the BBC blog, senior product manager Graham Matthews explained that the trailers will offer one-click access to the shows, providing they’ve aired on TV.
Matthews also announced plans are afoot to allow viewers to bookmark the shows in the trailers by adding them to a “My Programmes” list.
He wrote: “Given the demand for these trailers on iPlayer, today we’re starting to roll out a new feature that will mean you may see a single short trailer play automatically when you select a programme to watch on iPlayer.
“We hope that you’ll enjoy seeing a taster of some of the BBC’s programme highlights, but we’ve also been very keen to ensure that you have control over what trailers you choose to watch. If you’ve seen something before, or you decide it’s just not for you, then there’s a “Skip” option that will take you straight to the programme you’ve selected.”
The trailers will begin showing on the flash version of the website from today, with other sources – such as connected TV apps – coming soon.
Are you open to the Beeb pushing you in the direction of other interesting content, or would you rather cut right to the chase? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
