BBC has been working hard not just to provide content for adults, but even more for children. Recently, the Director of BBC Children, Alice Webb, talked about their Big Digital Plan for their young viewers, and this includes launching a new platform just for children called iPlay (name not yet final), and then a special new iPlayer that is will allow children to access content that they really like while filtering content that is not appropriate for them.
The idea of iPlay was introduced a week ago during Webb’s speech in Salford. It is a new video streaming service that they will be introducing, which will be the on-demand service for the CBBC and CBeebies, their channels dedicated to children. Basically, it will be “a single, online front-door for children to the wealth of the whole BBC and trusted partners beyond.” It will start off with BBC programs only but eventually include partners that can also provide appropriate content for the young ones. The parents and children themselves can customize their playlist, menu, etc. But the name iPlay is a work in progress and might still eventually change.
Meanwhile, they are also looking at creating an iPlayer whose content will be exclusively for children. The original iPlayer is an app where regular BBC viewers can also access the shows and video content on their smartphones and tablets. But this upcoming new version of the app will contain content from all of BBC’s “diverse range of content suitable for kids” and let said kids access them just through one app.
There is no timeframe yet as to when to expect both iPlay and iPlayer for kids in the market. And also of course, if it will be available outside of the UK.
SOURCE: BBC
