BBC unveils BBC iPlayer Desktop on Adobe AIR

Strategic partnership enables download solution for Mac, Linux and Windows users

The BBC and Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) today announced the public beta of the new BBC iPlayer Desktop download manager built on Adobe AIR, a key component of the Adobe Flash Platform.

The new BBC iPlayer Desktop beta will enable Windows, Mac and Linux users to download programmes to their desktops.

Previously, the ability to download programmes was only available for Windows users.

Now, the new download manager allows users to view their favourite BBC shows, online or offline, with a high quality solution across operating systems.

The BBC iPlayer Desktop application on Adobe AIR will initially be available to BBC iPlayer Labs users, who can sign up at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/labs.

The BBC iPlayer Desktop application on AIR will be rolled out to all BBC iPlayer users during 2009.

Erik Huggers, Director, BBC Future Media & Technology, said: “Since it launched at the end of last year, BBC iPlayer programmes have been available for streaming on Windows, Mac and Linux computers.

“Today, we’re pleased to display our commitment to providing a cross-platform download solution for BBC iPlayer users, as Mac and Linux users are now able to download BBC iPlayer programmes to play offline.”

Jim Guerard, Vice President and General Manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe, said: “The BBC is recognised worldwide as a trusted broadcast innovator.

“The BBC iPlayer Desktop beta on Adobe AIR will help extend their popular browser-based Web video broadcasts to more viewers with a high-quality, instant-on Internet TV experience outside the browser and across all major operating systems.”

The BBC iPlayer Desktop beta on Adobe AIR builds on an existing strategic relationship between the BBC and Adobe.

The BBC iPlayer Desktop beta also integrates Adobe Flash Rights Management Server software for content protection.