BBC plans iPlayer for music archives called Playlister
A music version of iPlayer called Playlister is reported to make available the musical treasures in the BBC archive.
If you're a music fan, this is surely the most exciting thing you'e going to hear all week: the BBC is working on a music version of iPlayer. Playlister is reported to be an online service that will make available the many musical treasures in the BBC's archive.
The Telegraph reports that the service will offer music from Auntie Beeb's basement to license fee payers. Playlister is reported to be set to launch as soon as this year, or perhaps early next year.
The sticking point is clearing the rights to the songs, but BBC bods are said to be meeting with online music and streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer and iTunes to figure out a way around such issues.
Fingers crossed the BBC can figure out the rights issues and follow in the footsteps of iPlayer, which has been enormously successful for the BBC. One of iPlayer's greatest strengths -- aside from the wealth of fantastic TV and radio shows -- is the range of gadgets through which you can access Auntie.
iPlayer apps appear on phones and tablets, smart TVs and games consoles, making it possible to visit the Big British Castle almost wherever you are.
Playlister could also be a money spinner for the BBC. A special iPlayer for folks overseas charges international viewers to watch BBC shows, and I imagine a similar arrangement for music would earn a few francs, dollars or deutschmarks.
The potential of Playlister has made my musical nodes jiggle so hard I've had to sit down. Just think of all those live concerts, festival shows and studio visits from the musical legends and unsung singers of the last 85 years. And the Peel Sessions -- man alive, think of the Peel Sessions!
Are you excited about the prospect of breaking into the BBC musical archives with Playlister, or do you see the license fee as a waste of money? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.