BBC Unveils BBC iPlayer Desktop on Adobe AIR

Strategic Partnership Enables Download Solution for Mac, Linux and Windows Users

The BBC and Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the public beta of the new BBC iPlayer Desktop download manager built on Adobe® AIR™, a key component of the Adobe Flash® Platform.

The new BBC iPlayer Desktop beta will enable Windows®, Mac and Linux® users to download programs to their desktops. Previously, the ability to download programs was only available for Windows users. Now, the new download manager allows users to view their favorite BBC shows, online or offline, with a high-quality solution across operating systems.

The BBC iPlayer Desktop application on Adobe AIR will be available to BBC iPlayer Labs users, who can sign up at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/labs. The BBC iPlayer Desktop application on AIR will be rolled out to all BBC iPlayer users during 2009.

Erik Huggers, director, BBC Future Media & Technology, said: “Since it launched at the end of last year, BBC iPlayer programs have been available for streaming on Windows, Mac and Linux computers. Today, we’re pleased to display our commitment to providing a cross-platform download solution for BBC iPlayer users, as Mac and Linux users are now able to download BBC iPlayer programs to play offline.”

Jim Guerard, vice president and general manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe, said: “The BBC is recognized worldwide as a trusted broadcast innovator. The BBC iPlayer Desktop beta on Adobe AIR will help extend their popular browser-based Web video broadcasts to more viewers with a high-quality, instant-on Internet TV experience outside the browser and across all major operating systems.”

The BBC iPlayer Desktop beta on Adobe AIR builds on an existing strategic relationship between the BBC and Adobe. The BBC iPlayer Desktop beta also integrates Adobe Flash Rights Management Server software for content protection.

About BBC iPlayer

The BBC iPlayer is only available to U. K. audiences and can only be accessed within the U. K.

About Adobe Flash Platform

The Adobe Flash Platform is a complete system of integrated tools, frameworks, clients and servers to develop Web applications, content and video that run consistently across operating systems and devices. For more information about the Adobe Flash Platform, please visit www.adobe.com/flashplatform.

About BBC

The BBC exists to enrich people’s lives with great programs and services that inform, educate and entertain. It provides a wide range of distinctive programs and services for everyone, free of commercial interests and political bias. They include television, radio, national, local, children’s, educational, language and other services for key interest groups. The BBC is financed by a TV license paid by households. It does not have to serve the interests of advertisers, or produce a return for shareholders.

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

© 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Adobe AIR and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Windows is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Macintosh and Mac are a trademark of Apple Inc. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

Adobe Systems Incorporated
Matt Rozen, 415-832-2268
mrozen {at} adobe(.)com
Andrew Phillips, 44 – 7771 975925
andrewph {at} adobe(.)com
or
BBC Future Media & Technology
Matt Beake, 0208 008 4088
Matt.beake {at} bbc.co(.)uk