According to this article just posted on TimesOnline it would appear that the massive success of BBC’s iPlayer might just bring the internet to a standstill. Or it might not. To be honest it looks more like an attempt by Tiscali to get the BBC to cough up for some cash for service upgrades…
The article also reports that during March iPlayer received “17.2 million requests to watch programmes“. And just last week over 100,000 people watched The Apprentice online. I think that speaks volumes about how our television viewing habits are evolving in the UK; and how television broadcasters are successfully integrating themselves into our virtual lives.
TV on our terms, I like it! 🙂
The Library of Digress 
Why Scottish Libraries Are Wonderful …
What a delight to be on your blogroll! I LOVE Scottish public libraries. One of the wonderful things about those I’ve used is that they make their computers available to everyone.
This practice contrasts sharply with the American system: In the U.S., in most places, you can use the computers for only 15 minutes or so if you do not live in the town and have a card. Some Scottish libraries, like the Edinburgh PL, require you to sign up in advance to use the computers. But if you do this, you can use them for, I think, at least an hour a day even at the height of the Festival. And in more out-of-the way libraries, such as the Aberdeen Public Library, I was typically able to stay on for as long as I wanted.
With the high season for tourism coming up, perhaps you have your own comments on Scottish libraries that might interest visitors from overseas? In any case, thank you so much …
Jan Harayda
I’m pleased you had such a good public library experience during your time in Scotland. Yes, The People’s Network initiative is largely responsible for the majority of computers in our libraries.
I think it’s brilliant that we operate such an open policy – access for all, hurrah!
Although I must comment that I had a fantastic experience with New York Public Library when I visited last year; they give you a proper laminated visitor library card, complete with photo ID and barcode. It’s a lovely keepsake!
And thanks for the idea for a blog topic – I think I’ll follow that up! 🙂
It’s probably worth mentioning that iPlayer is far from platform agnostic – relying on Microsoft’s DRM model and proprietory Flash software.
Support for GNU / Linux was non-existant at first, and we’re still not able to download shows like the rest of you.
TV on our terms? I THINK NOT! 🙂
iPlayer is FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC! and surely its user stats is somewhat testament to that?!??
TV when I want to watch it – MY WAY, thanks very much