BBC to launch iPlayer for Macs by end of year

February 8, 2008 – The BBC has stated that it will launch a download version of its iPlayer online video service for Apple Mac users by the end of this year.

In a blog posting on the BBC’s website, Director General Mark Thompson said: “I hope this good news is evidence of the hard work that the BBC is committing to supporting other platforms.”  The BBC had previously borne criticism for launching the download iPlayer service for Microsoft Windows users only. 

Mr. Thompson went on to add that they initially did this as they wanted to make “the service available in the shortest time frame to the greatest amount of users.  Were we to choose not to develop any systems or services until they could be received by every single individual licence-fee payer, our capacity for development and innovations – in the interest of serving those who fund our services – would be severely limited.”