The BBC has announced plans to simulcast three more television channels over the internet. BBC Four, CBBC and CBeebies will be streamed from September 16. The channels join BBC Three and BBC News that are already simulcast.
“The launch of three more BBC Television Channels further fulfils the BBC’s commitment to increasing the accessibility of our content to licence fee payers,” said Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision. “Although still a relatively new phenomenon, watching programmes online is growing; now through simulcasting our channels, viewers can find and watch programmes as they are broadcast as well as having the option of catching up with them later.”
Geographic protection will restrict the transmissions to the UK and the BBC has pointed out that their reception will require a valid TV Licence.
Web TV broadcaster Zattoo has been relaying all of the BBC’s national services since July 2007, apparently without the broadcaster’s permission.