The BBC is adding a new functionality called Live Restart to its BBC iPlayer online TV platform, the institution announced today on its Internet Blog, insisting it is a first in the UK.
Thanks to this new feature, you will now be able to rewind and restart live TV on BBC iPlayer on your PC – that is, even before the program you are watching is over. In addition, you will also be able to ‘scroll back’ to watch programs from the previous 2 hours.
At the moment, this functionality is only available on computers, though the BBC will bring it on mobiles, tablets and internet connected TVs later this year.
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According to Dave Price, Head of BBC iPlayer, Live Restart is about handing back control to the users:
“We all know how frustrating it is when you’re stuck in a traffic jam, or delayed on the tube, missing the critical start of your favourite BBC programme. Live Restart solves this by giving audiences control. With one simple click of a button viewers can skip back to the beginning of a live programme, ensuring they never miss a moment of their favourite BBC programmes.”
On a higher level, the corporation acknowledges that this new feature reflects its strategy of moving beyond catch-up. Not only has it become an online TV destination of its own, but the BBC also wants to use it to improve the live experience itself. As a matter of fact, a growing number of users are watching live TV online, with live requests making up over 22% of total BBC iPlayer requests on the PC in April 2012 – an increase of 18% on April 2011.
Image credit: m0gky
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