ABC announces plans to commercialise archives on iView as it reveals 2014 slate
Richard Finlayson
The ABC plans to commercialise its video on demand platform iView by making archived content available to buy in 2014 it revealed at the ABC upfront event in Sydney last night.
Richard Finlayson, director of television for the ABC, said the plans were based on feedback from viewers who want to view previous series after accessing free content on the platform.
Currently viewers can only access current series on iView and are directed to the iTunes store to purchase previous series.
“Everybody wants to binge…. we will be offering our viewers the chance to binge one of our major Australian commissions all at once…”
What is the cure for TV diabetes?
Taxpayer funded service to charge taxpayers to view service…
Bless you torrents.
They charge for their DVDs so why can’t they charge for a back catalogue? The tax payer has a chance to watch shows for nothing on free to air and then on Iview for a month. Putting a back catalogue out to rent is not cheap. Can’t see a problem here.
It is deeply offensive that a tax payer funded service has the sheer audacity to talk about demographics and audience reach. What difference does it make the ABC whether 1 or 1 million people watched – they still get a billion a year. What a joke!
This is good news, but why not extend it to viewers overseas who could subscribe, paying a monthly fee as I do to gain access to the BBC IPlayer app. There are so many expat Aussies who would love to be able to view series such as the Keating documentary, Miss Fisher, Four Corners, Australian Story et al. Luckily we can listen to podcasts of all the best radio programs, as well as stream the audio of Q and A.
I think you’re missing the point people.
The current rights agreements with TV production companies (yes, the ABC doesn’t make EVERY show you see on their channels) only allow ‘catch-up’ rights for the current season at best – or at worst 7-14 days.
If you want to expand those rights, it costs more money. You should be applauding the ABC for relying LESS on taxpayer funding and standing on its own two feet.
I applaud the development – I reckon a Netflix Style subscription service would be awesome..
Seriously Spin?? Get real. We live in a world where just about every service has to be able to justify its existence. Commercial media has to be able to demonstrate its audience reach to its advertisers to justify the prices they charge for spots – and the ABC has to demonstrate it is adequately catering to its audience and fulfilling its charter requirements to justify its government funding.
To talk about being “deeply offended” at the “sheer audacity” of a tax payer funded service talking about audience reach is naive at best.
Anyone who gets paid anything has to justify that payment.
Spin, what planet were you living on again ??