The BBC iPlayer has surprised everyone, even the BBC itself, with the amount of viewers it has picked up since it’s relaunch over Christmas. But not everyone is happy with that success.

James Murdoch (yes, media chief Rupert’s son) is the Chairman of BSkyB, a pay television service in the UK, has criticised the service, and almost accused it of monopolizing the business of on-demand – surprise surprise.

Accusations

He accused the BBC Trust, the governing body of the BBC of an “abrogation of responsibility” in backing the launch.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad product but I am saying it does crowd out competition and innovation.”

No Surprises

This really isn’t a surprise as it comes from a man responsible for a company which gains all of it’s profits from selling monthly subscriptions to pay per view channels.

He realises that if a service showing programmes for free over the Web as and when viewers want to watch them, gets a foothold, then it could spell disaster for his business.

The BBC Trust rejected his criticisms and reiterated the investment in on-demand services over the next five years of £130 million. The BBC iPlayer isn’t going anywhere, get used to it.

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