With many of my friends, either traveling lot or at University, it is not always easy to get to a TV set. But most people have a laptop with them at all times(or is that just me) so is there a way of using the screen and the internet to catch-up on what I missed. This is a question I am asked all that time and the answer is yes. More than ever, more companies are putting their programming online. All five main channels in the UK are doing this. Here are some of the best and how to get them.
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BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/
The BBC puts all their original content from TV and radio from the last 7 days on the Iplayer. A copy can be downloaded to your PC and kept for 30 days. There is also a web based version that uses flash, like youtube that can be streamed online and can be viewed full screen. It doesn’t only work in your browser, but also works on the IPhone/Ipod Touch, Wii and Media Center/XBOX 360. There are some really good shows on the iplayer, like Mock the week and Nevermind the Buzzcocks. This is an amazing service, easy to use, quick and lots of great content. |
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ITV Catchup
http://www.itv.com/catchup/
ITV were extremely slow about getting around to putting their content online unlike the other channels. The most important thing to note about ITV’s service is that it requires the installation of Microsoft’s Flash like plug-in called SilverLight. The biggest problem with this service is that there is nothing good on ITV, so there is nothing to watch. |
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Channel 4
http://www.channel4.com/watch_online/
Channel 4’s is very impressive offering, as it includes many of the American shows it has the rights to in the UK. My personal favorite is My Name is Earl. The range of content is impressive. Viewing the content requires Windows Media player 11 and a large download of DRM codex. This means that you must be viewed on a Genuine version of Windows XP or higher, meaning I can watch anything on my Macbook. |
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Channel 5
http://demand.five.tv/Home.aspx
Channel 5 seems pretty good as well, it uses Flash and includes American content like my beloved House and Home and away. The only problem that it requires you to create a user. |
These are just all the web based video that is just coming out the UK, there are lots of other services from America, many of which can not be accessed from the UK. There is one site, revision3, is a completely internet based Television network. It is mostly geek shows but there is really entertaining stuff on there like Diggnation, The totally rad show and Tekvilla.
With all those options, you now have no reason not to be glued to your Computer’s screen.
