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Amazon inadvertedly streamed an upcoming episode of 'Doctor Who'
Never mind bootleggers releasing unaired Doctor Who episodes -- the biggest concern this week is none other than one of the BBC's own distributors. Fans who tried to watch the latest episode of the show ("Kerblam!") on Amazon the evening of November 21st found themselves watching "The Witchfinders" instead -- an episode that wasn't supposed to air until November 25th. Yes, the time travel jokes pretty much write themselves here. The io9 team notes that Amazon even had the subtitles for "Kerblam!" instead, leading to some unintentionally funny mash-ups of text from the future with the 17th-century past.
BBC will broadcast every Formula E race this season
The BBC may have lost Formula 1 coverage years ago due to budget limits, but it's making up for that in style. The broadcaster has reached a deal to air every race of Formula E's 2018-2019 season in the UK, starting with the December 15th race in Saudi Arabia. In other words, it'll be very easy to follow the electric racing league if you live in the country. This is also important for exposure -- availability on a free-to-air TV network could introduce Formula E to people who otherwise wouldn't know it exists.
UK public broadcasters want top billing on streaming services
As streaming services and set-top boxes continue to creep up on traditional TV, public service broadcasters (PSBs) in the UK are worried about being left behind. The heads of ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are urging the government to require tech companies to give them prominent placement within on-demand services.
Netflix will stream the BBC’s three-part ‘Dracula’ series
Netflix and the UK's BBC One are teaming up on a three-part Dracula series, which the British broadcaster will air in the UK and Netflix will premiere outside of the UK. Each part will be 90 minutes long and the series is written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the creators of Sherlock. "There have always been stories about great evil," the two said in a statement. "What's special about Dracula, is that Bram Stoker gave evil its own hero."
Netflix picks up hit BBC drama ‘Bodyguard’
Netflix has purchased the streaming rights to Bodyguard -- a six-part BBC One series that has been raking in viewers in the UK. The show had a strong premiere, drawing in 10.4 million viewers, which is the highest launch figure for any new drama on any UK channel in the last 12 years. The fourth episode reportedly drew 11.1 million viewers and the series has consistently attracted more viewers than any other BBC show outside of World Cup coverage. Netflix now holds the rights outside of the UK and Ireland and will debut the show on October 24th.
The BBC has 'solved' the lag between live streams and TV
Live streams often lag behind TV, sometimes by half a minute or more -- and that's a big problem when you may hear your neighbors cheer a goal or story event you haven't seen yet. The BBC might have licked the problem, however. Its researchers have developed a streaming method that could dramatically reduce the gap between online coverage (such as through iPlayer) and TV. The solution, according to the broadcaster, is to manage the rate at which you receive chunks of the video feed.
The BBC will host the first non-US news show on Facebook Watch
After launching its news section in June, Facebook Watch has its first non-US show. BBC News' has unveiled a weekly news show for the fledgling video channel called Cut Through the Noise, Variety reports. The show, specifically aimed at mobile users with the use of vertical video, will run weekly and report on various issues from Washington, DC and elsewhere.
UK broadcasters urge the government to create a social media watchdog
A smorgasbord of TV broadcasters, mobile network and internet service providers has urged the UK government to strengthen its oversight of social media companies. In a letter to The Sunday Telegraph, executives from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as Sky, BT and TalkTalk, called for a new, independent regulator to help tackle fake news, child exploitation, harassment and other growing issues online. "We do not think it is realistic or appropriate to expect internet and social media companies to make all the judgment calls about what content is and is not acceptable, without any independent oversight," the collective wrote.
PSVR’s World Cup ‘executive suite’ is more ludicrous than luxurious
In case you wanted another way to watch this year's World Cup from Russia, PlayStation has you covered. Sony's gaming division has partnered with BBC Sports VR to put you in a virtual executive box replete with a gigantic window overlooking the pitch. More than that, you'll have a choice between three different "seats" on the fly, too: behind each goal and from the midfield line. You just need a PlayStation 4, PSVR helmet and the BBC's free World Cup PSVR app.
BBC show uses VR for home renovation designs
The BBC is delving further into virtual reality with a property show in which homeowners explore 360-degree renderings of their new-look abodes before they renovate them, Deadline reports. In the BBC Two show, Watch This Space, couples strap on VR headsets and see designs from two architects, who have crafted virtual renderings of the remodeled homes. The couples will select a design, then get to work on making their dream home a reality. Production on Watch This Space is underway.
The BBC has a new app to counter Spotify and Apple Music
The BBC has a problem. For almost a century, the British broadcaster has run a variety of national and regional radio stations to great effect in the UK. Their influence, though, has waned in recent years as podcasts and music-streaming services have exploded in popularity. In response, the Beeb has embraced the podcast medium, packaging up new and long-time shows including The Archers, Desert Island Discs and The Infinite Monkey Cage. But the threat of Spotify, Apple Music and now YouTube Music still looms. What, if anything, should the BBC be doing to counter these apps? With BBC Sounds, the organization may have finally found its answer.
Netflix’s ‘Kiss Me First’ is a VR thriller landing June 29th
VR cautionary tale Kiss Me First finally has a release date and an official trailer. The sci-fi gaming drama is coming to Netflix June 29th. From the creators of UK television series Skins, Kiss Me First revolves around a lonely woman who connects with a "party girl" and discovers a virtual world full of excitement... and murder.
'Beyond Blue' is an educational game about saving the ocean
Our oceans are in trouble. Climate change, plastic waste and overfishing are all causing tremendous damage to underwater life around the world. Inspired by the BBC's Blue Planet II series, developer E-Line Media is making a video game that focuses on the scientists who are trying to understand our impact. It's called Beyond Blue and will put you in charge of a research team with stunning technology designed to unlock new insights about the sea. Your task is simply to gather information and learn what you can about these fast-changing, human-made threats to the sea.
Apple hires another BBC veteran in its bid to rule hip-hop music
Hip-hop is quickly becoming a key battleground for streaming music services: companies like Spotify and YouTube have been poaching influencers in a bid to become tastemakers and lure millions of listeners. And Apple is certainly no exception to the rule. Music Business Worldwide has learned that Apple has hired Ryan Newman, the Editor for the BBC's hip-hop and grime-focused Radio 1Xtra. He was responsible for creating and implementing the station's strategy, suggesting he'll have a similar role at Apple Music for its on-demand streaming, its Beats 1 station or both.
BBC iPlayer now hosts all post-revival 'Doctor Who' episodes
Whovians, rejoice: every 'modern' episode of Doctor Who is back on iPlayer. (At least for Brits, anyway.) All of the adventures starring Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi as the humanoid and usually heartwarming alien are included in the re-release. They're being offered as a sort of warm-up for series 11, which will debut this fall with Jodie Whittaker as the iconic Time Lord. You'll need to hurry, though, if you want to watch everything before the show comes back.
The BBC will stream the World Cup in 4K and VR, but not to all
The BBC is finally embracing live 4K. After a run of very limited tests back in 2014 and the recent FA Cup Final, the revered broadcasting institution plans on proving its mettle by showing the FIFA World Cup live to audiences in Ultra HD and virtual reality. It'll be the first time the Beeb has shown a live tournament in this way, and it's a heck of a tournament to start with.
Twitch is hosting a seven-week 'Doctor Who' viewing event
If you're a die-hard Doctor Who fan, Twitch is about to make your summer. The livestreaming service is teaming with BBC Studios on a seven-week Doctor Who viewing event on May 29th that will show more than 500 classic episodes of the Time Lord's adventures, dating all the way back to the first black-and-white season in 1963. It's not the usual marathon -- the company will air a batch of episodes every day on its TwitchPresents channel starting at 2PM Eastern. The Yogscast team will produce shows to introduce each Doctor, so you'll hopefully know the differences between Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy (hint: there are many) by the time all is said and done.
Netflix wins a BAFTA, but the BBC’s still king
Britain's Academy of Film and Television Arts held its annual celebration of the small screen, and Netflix was expected to win big. The streaming service was in line for six awards, with The Crown and Black Mirror both being nominated for three each. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be, and only one of the sextet won a gong on the night: The Crown's Vanessa Kirby, who won best supporting actress.
Brits (still) can't stream BBC iPlayer abroad
While the BBC charges £150 a year for a TV licence fee in the UK, the corporation won't offer streaming access to its iPlayer in mainland Europe. The paid-for competition, like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, now follow the EU's digital media portability rules which came into play over the weekend. These let residents watch digital media services in other EU member states as if they were in their home country.
The BBC says it's being squeezed out by Netflix and Amazon
The BBC has released its second annual report since its new charter was established and the broadcaster paints a rather bleak picture for itself. It highlights the fact that the media landscape has changed quite rapidly in recent years and will most certainly continue to do so, and it says that the industry is "more and more dominated by a small number of US-based media giants with extraordinary creative and financial firepower." The BCC added, "Their business models and huge budgets mean we are increasingly being squeezed out of an ever more competitive environment. British creativity and British content are now under real threat."
