TV shows will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer for one year rather than 30 days after Ofcom approved proposals to expand the service.
“Ofcom has confirmed that the BBC can go ahead with planned changes to BBC iPlayer, subject to certain conditions and guidance,” a statement released by the broadcasting watchdog said.
“The BBC intends to change BBC iPlayer from a 30 day catch up service, to one where programmes are available for 12 months as standard, with some available for longer.
“As required by the BBC Charter and Agreement, we undertook a BBC Competition Assessment to consider these plans.”
Ofcom said that the proposed changes were justified as they “could deliver significant public value over time.”
They added that there is likely to be an “adverse impact” on rival streaming services, but this would be outweighed by that “public value.”
BBC News reports that the broadcaster will now negotiate with programme makers to formalise the extension.
The watchdog granted “provisional” approval to the plans in June after a competition assessment.
A statement from the BBC’s Director of Content Charlotte Moore released in April said that the moves would “give audiences even greater value for their licence fee” and “bring the BBC iPlayer in line with what other services already offer.”
“Audience expectations have changed dramatically, viewers are now used to being able to watch what they want when they want, and they expect much more from BBC iPlayer,” she added.
