BSkyB has hit out at the new BBC Trust, claiming that its public value test (PVT) for the iPlayer is inadequate.
BSkyB has hit out at the new BBC Trust, claiming that its public value test (PVT) for the iPlayer is inadequate.

The BBC launched the PVT of the iPlayer catch-up service last year, asking third parties to submit their opinions. But Sky said the corporation has not released enough information on the workings of the iPlayer for it to respond coherently.

BSkyB head of public affairs Martin Le Jeune said: 'The BBC Trust will carry out many PVTs and it is important it gets it right first time. This is not happening at the moment. Sky recognises the concept of commercial confidentiality; but the BBC is funded by public money.'

The BBC released additional information on the iPlayer, on request, in October, but Sky wants access to research on how the iPlayer was received by triallists and the service proposals initially submitted by BBC management. It has received 'inadequate summaries' to two freedom of information requests submitted to the BBC.

At a BBC Trust briefing this week, acting chairman Chitra Bharucha said it was 'committed to transparency but must be aware of the commercial implications'.

Topics