BBC TV ‘stick’ to let you watch all its shows
THE BBC is considering launching a simple plug-in device to let licence fee payers watch all its available content.
The Public Service Broadcasting (PBS) stick would give access not only to programmes currently on air but to previously transmitted shows available on its BBC iPlayer and also on-demand programmes from other broadcasters including Channel 4.
The idea has been discussed in strategy meetings. Costings are yet to be looked at, however, and the corporation has denied it will be giving away the PSB sticks to all 25 million households with a licence.
The BBC is facing fierce competition from US streaming giants such as Amazon and Netflix, which already make programmes available on demand on modern smart TVs.
Amazon also sells a TV “Firestick” that converts older devices into smart TVs. Ofcom has already recommended to the Government that iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4 and My5 should have guaranteed prominence on smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming sticks.
That could be incredibly complex, however, because of the range of platforms involved.
A BBC spokesman said: “There’s no plan for the BBC to give away a stick to all licence fee payers. But we know that audiences want to find PSB programmes quickly and easily. They also particularly value British programming and trusted news sources.
“So we are exploring a wide range of ideas with partners across the industry to look at how audiences can do this.”
The spokesman added: “We also look with partners at how technology might help viewers access public service channels in the future, but any other initiatives would need to be developed with the wider industry.”