BBC White Paper

This BBC article is mostly about the UK Government's White paper (i.e.new laws proposed) about BBC funding, but the background is interesting:

The BBC lets radio listeners hear most radio programmes on-line, through its Radio Player, and they can download and podcast much of the material too.

It has been testing a video version - the Interactive Media Player - and ITV is linking up to do the same. Sky viewers can download films and sport material.

DVDs sell in their millions, but some media companies now also offer video-on-demand - "libraries" of films and programmes which can be watched by via cable or on-line, either on subscription or for a one-off charge.

Broadcasters are also rushing to put their content - or whole channels - on mobile phones and other devices, such as the Play Station Plus or the Video iPod. Imagine how much life will change when the speed of broadband quadruples and there's almost infinite storage space on devices like iPods and PVRs. Seventy per cent of homes have access to digital TV.

These technology developments are changing viewing habits, particularly among the young. The two channels that have dominated viewing for 50 years have shed millions of viewers. BBC One has just recorded its lowest ever peaktime rating. Its chat show Davina and a Panorama special on the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes attracted less than 12% of the Wednesday night audience. ITV1's share of viewing fell to 21% last year. In 2000, it was 29%, and it's not that long since it was over 40%.

How many viewers will the two "big" channels have by 2016? What devices will they be watching them on? And what does that mean for the TV licence fee, when every home is a digital home?

And, what will new laws mean for the humble UK Podcaster?