BBC Trust

The BBC Trust has today published the conclusions of its review of the BBC's on-demand services, including the BBC iPlayer.

The review, conducted two years after the launch of on-demand services, found that the iPlayer has performed in line with its usage expectations, has effectively promoted 'niche' or less well-known programmes, appeals well to its target younger audiences, and represents good value for money.

The review also says future versions of the iPlayer should ensure audiences continue to be able to find a wide variety of content, and agreed with the BBC Executive that more could be done to promote the parental controls on the iPlayer.

BBC Trustee Diane Coyle said:

"The response to our public consultation was large, and overwhelmingly positive, which clearly showed the value placed by audiences on the choice and convenience offered by the iPlayer.

"Reach and appreciation levels are high, with a third of all UK adults claiming to have used the iPlayer.

"Looking ahead, the BBC needs to ensure that it continues to meet the expectations of audiences."

The Trust has also today launched a consultation on the proposed changes to its on-demand syndication policy and the BBC Executive's syndication guidelines, which will run for eight weeks.

Diane Coyle said:

"The BBC has a duty to consider carefully the impact of its activities on the wider industry. We hope to learn more about what audiences and the industry think about on-demand syndication in the forthcoming consultation."

1. The on-demand review conclusions are available.
2. The on-demand syndication policy and guidelines govern how BBC programmes are made available on-demand – most popularly through the BBC iPlayer on computers, TV, games consoles or mobiles. The Trust is reviewing the policy and guidelines to ensure that they are relevant and up-to-date, by consulting on changes proposed by the BBC Executive.
3. The current syndication policy was introduced in August 2007 and the iPlayer launched in December 2007.