iPlayer App on Xbox 360

The BBC iPlayer is now available for the Xbox 360 which is pretty much the last thing for it to appear on, but that’s only thanks to Microsoft and their new apps which is sort of the new plugin, but for current/next-gen stuff.

The BBC is claiming that it’s the “only UK content provider to make its programmes available for free to all Xbox 360 users in the UK”, so that’s different to 4oD and Demand 5 then? The main difference with it being on the Xbox 360 is that you will be able to control it with the Kinect using the usual waving about of your limbs and shouting that you don’t want Gardening Time, you want to watch Sherlock.
X360 iPlayer 01

Daniel Danker, BBC General Manager, Programmes & On-Demand, said: “Xbox is hugely successful in the UK. Given the BBC’s goal to reach its entire audience, I’m particularly excited that the BBC will be bringing iPlayer to all Xbox users at no extra cost as part of Xbox LIVE’s free membership.”

X360 iPlayer 02

“As we continue our work to make BBC iPlayer as simple as possible, we’re also excited to experiment with natural user interfaces made possible with Kinect, including voice and gesture control. We believe it’s early days for these experiences, but see a great future working with partners such as Microsoft on innovations like these.”

X360 iPlayer 03

Stephen McGill, Director of Xbox and Entertainment for Microsoft, said: “We are delighted that BBC iPlayer is now available on Xbox LIVE. Xbox 360 was the best-selling console in the UK and globally last year, while Xbox LIVE is one of the UK’s leading comprehensive VOD entertainment services on TVs. The addition of BBC iPlayer takes the service to the next level. We offer a formidable line-up of the best TV and entertainment – both live and on-demand – from providers such as Sky, Channel 4, Channel 5, Netflix, LOVEFiLM, Blinkbox, MSN, YouTube and many others.
“The way people interact with entertainment content is changing. Xbox LIVE is the only service in the world where you can search, discover and control TV, movies, video and music using voice and gesture via the power and magic of Kinect.”

A Windows Phone 7 version should be along soon and should also be free, not sure why they’re so insistant that it’s free, you should only have to pay for a TV License, not the iPlayer. Oh yeah and the main reason for posting the new? Doctor Who screen images were included!