BBC iPlayer canned for Xbox Live
A version of the BBC iPlayer for Xbox 360 has been delayed "indefinitely" after the company failed to agree terms with Microsoft.
According to The Telegraph's BBC sources, a deal with the platform holder couldn't be reached because Microsoft's strategy of charging for all content on Xbox Live is incompatible with the BBC's public service remit.
"Microsoft only wants to offer its users access to platforms it can charge for as this is the model it is pursuing," the sources said. "It wants to ensure that only those paying for Xbox Live Gold accounts can access its additional content services and even then there is usually a charge on top to get access to those. For example, to access the Sky Player on Xbox, you have to pay for a Gold subscription as well as a Sky subscription.
"This does not fit with the BBC's model and Microsoft will not budge at the moment," they added. "It is really frustrating for those involved on the BBC side who want to make sure iPlayer is rolled out on as many popular entertainment platforms as possible."
The BBC cannot charge for access to the iPlayer as it is already included in the British licence fee, the Telegraph points out. Meanwhile Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 already offer access to the web service - for free.
"BBC iPlayer has been extremely successful on PS3 and we recently re-launched on Nintendo Wii, from which the public response has been fantastic," a Beeb spokesperson said. "People clearly want the BBC iPlayer on their gaming consoles, and we don't think Xbox users are any different, so we've had discussions with Microsoft about bringing the service to the platform."
"Microsoft only wants to offer its users access to platforms it can charge for as this is the model it is pursuing," the sources said. "It wants to ensure that only those paying for Xbox Live Gold accounts can access its additional content services and even then there is usually a charge on top to get access to those. For example, to access the Sky Player on Xbox, you have to pay for a Gold subscription as well as a Sky subscription.
"This does not fit with the BBC's model and Microsoft will not budge at the moment," they added. "It is really frustrating for those involved on the BBC side who want to make sure iPlayer is rolled out on as many popular entertainment platforms as possible."
The BBC cannot charge for access to the iPlayer as it is already included in the British licence fee, the Telegraph points out. Meanwhile Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 already offer access to the web service - for free.
"BBC iPlayer has been extremely successful on PS3 and we recently re-launched on Nintendo Wii, from which the public response has been fantastic," a Beeb spokesperson said. "People clearly want the BBC iPlayer on their gaming consoles, and we don't think Xbox users are any different, so we've had discussions with Microsoft about bringing the service to the platform."
A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment.