The BBC has revealed that the number of its TV shows downloaded or streamed on demand via BBC iPlayer has reached 500,000 a day, and that its partnership with third-parties for BBC-branded entertainment channels will be extended soon to Blinkx and MSN.
Over 17 million programs have been streamed or downloaded on demand on BBC iPlayer in the first seven weeks since its marketing launch, according to the latest figures from the BBC. Daily volumes have been increasing strongly during January and February and last week the total number of streams and downloads in a single day broke through the half a million barrier.
Ashley Highfield, director of BBC Future Media and Technology, says: "While it's still early days, early indications are that BBC iPlayer is having a significant effect in attracting new users to bbc.co.uk.
"To build on this initial success, we continue to reach out to audiences wherever they are, and we now have BBC-branded 'channels' on Yahoo! and partnerships with MSN and Blinkx going live soon.
"These enable you to watch highlights and excerpts of BBC programs, as well as clicking on a link to watch the full program on BBC iPlayer.
"In addition, we are introducing new features on the BBC iPlayer homepage, including improved navigation options and program recommendations."