The BBC has launched a new service called BBC Store, which acts as a digital storefront for a wide range of classic TV shows.
Of course, the BBC iPlayer is going from strength to strength, offering a slick way to stream BBC TV content. However, there are inherent restrictions in the way it does things.
You don’t own the programmes you watch, and content expires within 30 days of airing.
The BBC Store is a return to a more traditional way of obtaining BBC content – buying it. Of course, rather than DVDs and video tapes (remember them?), here you’re streaming or downloading the shows to your computer or mobile device.
New TV shows should go up for purchase by 1am the following day, but the real appeal here will be classic content that’s been difficult to obtain before now.
Prices are pretty normal, with individual episodes starting from £1.89 and your average UK TV series (which typically runs to around six episodes long) at £7.99.
BBC Store isn’t just a stand-alone storefront, either. The BBC is also adding ‘Places to buy’ links to its iPlayer, offering you a chance to buy classic TV content that might not even be available to stream for free on the service.
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Also, buying content from the BBC Store will make it available to watch through the iPlayer website. Support for the feature will be added to the mobile iPlayer apps soon, and TV apps next year.
You’ll find your freshly obtained BBC Store content in a new ‘Purchased’ section under the My Programmes tab of iPlayer.
There are around 7,000 hours of TV available through the BBC Store at launch, and the BBC says it’s adding new content all the time.
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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.