BBC set to premiere shows on iPlayer BEFORE they are screened on traditional television channels

  • Users of online catch-up service may get first look at new programmes
  • BBC controller says service has 'increasingly important part to play'
  • Comes after news that viewers will have to pay licence fee to use iPlayer

By VICTORIA FINAN FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Charlotte Moore, BBC controller of TV channels and iPlayer, hinted that the popular online catch-up service may be used to premiere TV programmes 

Charlotte Moore, BBC controller of TV channels and iPlayer, hinted that the popular online catch-up service may be used to premiere TV programmes 

The BBC is 'exploring' plans to premiere an increasing number of shows on its catch-up iPlayer service before they are screened on traditional television channels, it has been revealed

Charlotte Moore, the corporation's controller of TV channels and iPlayer, said the online service had an 'increasingly important part to play' in the organisation's future.

She also hit back at criticism from Culture Secretary John Whittingdale that BBC One had become less distinctive.

Addressing a host of television figures including broadcaster Andrew Marr, comedian David Mitchell and scientist Professor Brian Cox in London's Hyde Park last night, Ms Moore said: 'I don't recognise - and more importantly neither does the public recognise - what the Secretary of State said about BBC1.

'I'm not sure how much more distinctive the last few weeks could have been - with new shows like The Night Manager, our mental health season, David Attenborough's Giant Dinosaur, Dickensian, War and Peace - not to mention the return of Happy Valley.'

On plans for the iPlayer, she added: 'BBC iPlayer will have an increasingly important part to play in the BBC's future.

'I want to grow iPlayer in the future and will explore more premieres and how we reach new audiences.'

Ms Moore's comments come days after it was revealed that anyone watching catch-up programmes on iPlayer through mobile phones or tablets will have to pay the licence fee.

Currently anyone with a device to access live television has to by law pay the annual £145.50 licence fee unless they only use the screen for catch-up programmes.

The Government and the BBC wants to close a loophole which lets 'freeloaders' watch as many BBC shows on its iPlayer catch-up service as they like without paying. BBC bosses say the loophole costs them £150million a year.

Hit BBC programmes such as The Night Manager, which stars Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston, may soon premiere on iPlayer rather than on BBC1

Hit BBC programmes such as The Night Manager, which stars Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston, may soon premiere on iPlayer rather than on BBC1

The BBC have also commissioned a 90-minute drama, Our Loved Boy, about the death of London schoolboy Damilola Taylor, who died in 2000

The BBC have also commissioned a 90-minute drama, Our Loved Boy, about the death of London schoolboy Damilola Taylor, who died in 2000

A BBC spokesman told The Sunday Times: 'You will need a TV licence for all devices including mobiles and tablets', adding: 'We are yet to work through the details of how we will enforce the proposed changes to iPlayer access. There are a number of complex factors to consider.'

Ms Moore, the brains behind the commissioning of The Great British Bake Off, also unveiled a number of new programmes to be screened by the BBC in the coming months.

They include a new six-part BBC One series called Wanderlust, an exploration of marriage and monogamy by award-winning playwright Nick Payne, and Our Loved Boy, a 90-minute drama about the death of London schoolboy Damilola Taylor.

King Charles III, a 90-minute drama adapted by Doctor Foster screenwriter Mike Bartlett from his own Olivier Award-winning play script, will be shown on BBC Two.

It sees Prince Charles ascend to the throne following the Queen's death before he refuses to sign a controversial bill into law, creating political chaos, a constitutional crisis and rioting on the streets.

Meanwhile, Sir Anthony Hopkins will star in King Lear from the team behind last year's TV film The Dresser.

Whitney, a documentary by Nick Broomfield about the late singer Whitney Houston, will also be shown on BBC2.

Jeremy Paxman is to return to BBC One with an hour long documentary on the European Union before the referendum, while fellow political broadcasters Nick Robinson and Laura Kuenssberg will also host separate programmes for BBC Two.

Twiggy will present the first episode of BBC Four series People's History Of Pop, while Adrian Chiles will front White Boys And Black Heroes - How Black Footballers Transformed Modern Britain on BBC Two.

A three-part series called There Will Be Exodus: Breaking Into Europe was also announced, which documents the journeys of migrants and refugees trying to reach the safety of Britain and other countries in Europe.

THE END OF BBC4? CULTURAL CHANNEL COULD BE IN JEOPARDY

BBC controller Charlotte Moore also argued last night that that BBC2 should become the home of cultural programming – in a move that will spark uncertainty about the future of BBC4.

She said of BBC2: 'I want to embrace all the specialisms – from science, history and religion to current affairs, natural history, documentaries, music and the arts – because, by contrast to BBC1, audiences come to BBC2 to be informed.'

However, her vision is likely stoke fears that the BBC is preparing to get rid of BBC4, whose cultural remit is strikingly similar to her plans for BBC2.

The channel costs £63million to run and has loyal fans, but attracts a relatively small audience.

BBC director general Lord Tony Hall has reportedly already been considering merging BBC4 with BBC2, as he battles to slash the annual budget by £700million.

 

Adrian ChilesBBC

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