BBC to launch BBC One +1 channel

The BBC is due to launch BBC One +1 – a one-hour time delayed feed of its flagship channel – it announced yesterday.

BBC director general Tony Hall revealed the plan as part of his vision for the future of the BBC, which also includes plans for a revamped iPlayer with 30-day, as opposed to seven-day, catch-up.

“Any plan for channels starts with BBC One,” said Hall, claiming that the new time-shifted channel is “what audiences expect, especially younger ones, and it means people can get more of what they’ve already paid for.”

The BBC did not give a launch date for BBC One+1, though a BBC spokesperson said this would be subject to the approval process time set by the BBC’s governing body, the BBC Trust.

The BBC said it plans to offer BBC One+1to all TV platform providers in the UK and hopes to reach acceptable terms so that it is available via DTT on Freeview and YouView, satellite on Freesat and Sky, and cable on Virgin Media. It could also be available over the web, the BBC spokesperson said.

The new channel will bolster the BBC’s digital channel line-up, and will not replace any existing BBC service.

“In a world of increased choice, +1 will enable licence fee payers to have even more access to our broad range of programmes every day,” said BBC One controller Charlotte Moore.

Emma Scott, managing director of Freesat said: “The announcement today that BBC One will launch a +1 channel on Freesat is fantastic news for our 4 million viewers as we continue to add new channels and On Demand services, plus invest in cutting edge technology.”

The news came as the BBC also unveiled new digital vision for live event coverage, which it said would “transform how audiences enjoy a wide range of live events in 2014 and beyond.”

The BBC said it will introduce a new live experience to its existing online services, enabling more live events to be delivered across four screens – PC, tablet, mobile and connected TV. This will apply to sporting events, music festivals, elections and popular live TV shows, and follows the BBC’s extensive online live coverage of the London 2012 Olympics.