BBC iPlayer For Mac And Linux

The BBC has released versions of its iPlayer for both Mac and Linux that will let users download programs.

The BBC’s iPlayer is incredibly successful in Britain, reportedly responsible for 10% of bandwidth as people stream or download programs they’ve missed on the company’s channels since its debut in July 2007.

But those with using Macs or Linux have only been able to stream shows.

iPlayer users can stream shows for seven days after they’ve been aired, or download them, which offers them 30 days in which to watch the program before it disappears.

The new version, which the BBC created with Adobe, is known as BBC iPlayer Desktop, and uses Adobe’s AIR technology. The beta version was released yesterday and a full version should appear in February.

The BBC has also been working with Velocix to address the bandwidth problem, which ISPs claim has been straining networks. It will put servers in ISPs to cache the most popular iPlayer programs so they can be streamed from within the ISP’s network.

The BBC’s head of digital media technology, Anthony Rose, said:

"The BBC is not building its own content delivery network. But we can help move the market in this area."