Microsoft’s Insatiable Greed Clashes With iPlayer’s Public Service Remit

The Telegraph recently shed light on the reason that the BBC’s popular iPlayer has yet to land on the Xbox 360. The service, already enjoyed in millions of British homes via rival consoles, is said currently to be delayed “indefinitely”, owing to Microsoft’s desire to afford the priveledge to Xbox Live Gold subscribers only. The BBC’s current business model allows open access to its radio and televisual output on the basis of the UK’s TV licensing law.

Microsoft’s model of charging for each and every useful feature subsequently integrated into the dashboard runs contradictory to the BBC’s public service remit, the broadcasting company themselves seeking to “make sure iPlayer is rolled out on as many popular entertainment platforms as possible”. One would assume that the unsurprising success of the service’s current implementation on the Wii and Playstation 3 would encourage Microsoft to meet the terms of the BBC in order to retain their oft-touted position as “the centre of the home entertainment hub”. It is reported however, at present, that Microsoft “will not budge”.

While it is possible to step back and appreciate both parties’ standpoints from a business perspective, for consumers without paid subscription, the constant moneyed beration may slowly grow too much. Perhaps the presentation rather than tease of a popular service like iPlayer along with the subscription promise of upgraded features like Sky Player and social networking may be enough to coerce lowly Silver members to produce the yearly fee. At present though, it is difficult to afford Microsoft slack when the giant “[declines] to comment” when pressed for answers.

Via: 1UP

Image: Carl Banks