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10 percent of iPlayer traffic comes from PS3

After Sony recently integrated the BBC iPlayer into the version 3.0 PlayStation 3 firmware update, it has now become the second most popular viewing platform, behind the PC.

The BBC says 10 percent of all iPlayer traffic comes from PS3 accounts, surpassing the Mac, which holds 8.5 percent of all traffic.



"User response to our new iPlayer for PS3 has been amazing," adds Anthony Rose, controller of the BBC's online media group and vision.

"Although it's less than a week since we launched, iPlayer on PS3 now accounts for a massive 10 per cent of all iPlayer viewing, overtaking Mac to be our second most popular platform for IP-delivered content.

"We'll have to wait and see whether this holds up in the coming weeks, but this enthusiastic reception makes it clear that users do want iPlayer on their TV - something that bodes well for Canvas and other IPTV propositions."

PS3 users can playback iPlayer content full screen, at 25fps, due to an upgrade in the PS3's Flash playback abilities.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Sep 2009 14:59

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• 6 comments

• BobH29

  I'm not really surprised at this. I've been using BBC iPlayer through the PS3 browser for a while now but have never once played it through the PC. If i have to watch a program on the tidily 17" PC screen in the bedroom I'd sooner not bother, but having the PS3 hooked up to the 50" living TV its worth while.
  
  I suspect Sky are seeing a similar rise in xBox owners using that VOD service for the same reason.

  9.9.2009 16:40 #1

• pphoenix

  At least the PS3 is still working. nitty's new update killed the Wii's ability to use the iPlayer for many.
  
  I have yet to see a game console running a browser well (excluding properly hacked ones!)
  
  The Wii one is dire, with video not able to be full screened, the resolution is too poor to view pages well. Shame as the controller was promising for web.
  
  The PS3 allows every pop-up ever made and jumps straight to them making browsing anything remotely *interesting* impossible + the controller is just horrid for web browsing
  
  The 360 doesn't even know what a browser is... probably best knowing what M$ security was like when the 360 was designed.
  
  Basically if you want the web on your TV build a media centre - seriously you can build one for way less than any games console - providing you *acquire* a win7 licence or spend hours banning you head setting up your penguin.

  10.9.2009 10:57 #2

• keith1993

  iPlayer on the PS3 is brilliant! Although I think 10% seems low I don't know of anyone who uses the PC version on a regular basis yet me and a few friends use the PS3 version almost constantly. Now if only the rest of the channels could make their on demand services PS3 compatible.....

  10.9.2009 13:21 #3

• BobH29

  Originally posted by pphoenix: At least the PS3 is still working. nitty's new update killed the Wii's ability to use the iPlayer for many.
  
  I have yet to see a game console running a browser well (excluding properly hacked ones!)
  
  The Wii one is dire, with video not able to be full screened, the resolution is too poor to view pages well. Shame as the controller was promising for web.
  
  The PS3 allows every pop-up ever made and jumps straight to them making browsing anything remotely *interesting* impossible + the controller is just horrid for web browsing
  
  The 360 doesn't even know what a browser is... probably best knowing what M$ security was like when the 360 was designed.
  
  Basically if you want the web on your TV build a media centre - seriously you can build one for way less than any games console - providing you *acquire* a win7 licence or spend hours banning you head setting up your penguin.I've got to agree. Any serious web work (like posting on AD for instance) is impossible with the PS3 joypad, and the browser itself is by no means the quickest or easiest to use. But, its there, already set up, and works adequately. Lets face it, that's good enough for most of us sheep. When my aging and growning lab top finally curls up its toes a nice new media centre based PC, all set up nice, will be hard to resist. But until then the more PC based tasks I can move to the PS3 the better, and I'm sure i'm not alone in this.
  
  Hence, i'm not surprised by the rise in iPlayer traffic through the PS3. It's basic consumer laziness and i'm guilty as charged!

  10.9.2009 14:26 #4

• lynandal

  lol, bbc will think its great until they realise that all these people watching it streaming will stop paying there ever increasing (and IMO slighlty wasted and monoplised - at least other channels will start seeing some of it soon) license fees next year because they can watch it online without requiring a license as its not broadcast. lol
  
  ---
  
  that said, the quality of the bbc iplayer is incredible. Very good and use it all the time.

  10.9.2009 17:09 #5

• ammad123

  Yup, i use iPlayer on my 32" also, Brilliant!
  Very fast, Very clear, and sometimes i forgot I'm watching a stream thats how good this thing is.
  And can i just say, VidZone is Brilliant in its own right also as a streaming service.
  *goes and cuddles his ps3* xD

  10.9.2009 19:59 #6