Breaking news: BBC store to close

DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM in News
Just got this email from BBC store :

Dear Daniel,

Sadly, we have taken the difficult decision to close BBC Store on 1st November 2017.

Although any programmes you own will still be available to watch until then, from now on we are no longer making programmes available to buy.

Our sincere thanks for being part of BBC Store. We do hope to make the programmes you could only get on BBC Store available elsewhere at some point in the future.

Best wishes
The BBC Store Team
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Comments

  • VisionmanVisionman Member, Super User Posts: 10,303 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 2:02PM
  • Michael GMichael G Member Posts: 876
    edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM
    Just got the same. Only had one season of Peaky Blinders bought at discount, really just to test it with Chromecast. Opted for a refund.

    Shame. AFAIK they still produce physical discs but another attempt at digital streaming seems to have failed. You'd think having a permanent copy would appeal. Maybe not. Or maybe not sufficiently.
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 2:03PM
    Michael G said:

    Just got the same. Only had one season of Peaky Blinders bought at discount, really just to test it with Chromecast. Opted for a refund.

    Shame. AFAIK they still produce physical discs but another attempt at digital streaming seems to have failed. You'd think having a permanent copy would appeal. Maybe not. Or maybe not sufficiently.

    I only just registered a week ago I was hoping it would be coming to youview alas it's not meant to be. Lucky I hadn't had chance to buy anything yet.
  • jimbjimb Member, Super User Posts: 1,425 ✭✭✭
    edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM
    image
  • JoeJoe Member, Super User Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 3:37PM
    Oh for **** **** what a dreadful shame. I guess I'll be getting a significant refund. Really sorry to hear this
  • JoeJoe Member, Super User Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭
    edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM
    It's a real shame that efforts to bring bbc store purchases to iplayer on Tv's didn't happen sooner. The greater awareness it would have brought may have made a difference. Quite gutted by this, I hope the effort to digitally release the bbc archives for buy to own continues through third parties such as Amazon, talk talk tv, iTunes etc

    One of the benefits of bbc store was that they were able to also release older content that may not have been as commercially viable as the newer big budget programs. I guess that's gone out the window now. Shame as there is a wealth of material that the bbc have.

    Very unexpected news...what is it with me investing in disappearing digital services? I better not place a bet for long time, and cancel my lottery tickets etc
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 8:05PM
    Joe2 said:

    It's a real shame that efforts to bring bbc store purchases to iplayer on Tv's didn't happen sooner. The greater awareness it would have brought may have made a difference. Quite gutted by this, I hope the effort to digitally release the bbc archives for buy to own continues through third parties such as Amazon, talk talk tv, iTunes etc

    One of the benefits of bbc store was that they were able to also release older content that may not have been as commercially viable as the newer big budget programs. I guess that's gone out the window now. Shame as there is a wealth of material that the bbc have.

    Very unexpected news...what is it with me investing in disappearing digital services? I better not place a bet for long time, and cancel my lottery tickets etc

    I know the feeling lol lately my bets seams to be donkeys instead of a horse or a boxer with two left hands trying to fight right handed
  • Michael GMichael G Member Posts: 876
    edited 25 May 2017, 8:49PM
    Michael G said:

    Just got the same. Only had one season of Peaky Blinders bought at discount, really just to test it with Chromecast. Opted for a refund.

    Shame. AFAIK they still produce physical discs but another attempt at digital streaming seems to have failed. You'd think having a permanent copy would appeal. Maybe not. Or maybe not sufficiently.

    And refunding the total value of everything ever bought, that's writing the whole thing off back to the start two years ago. Wow.
  • jimbjimb Member, Super User Posts: 1,425 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 5:11PM
    jimb said:

    image

    Thanks for the "like" Roy.
    :-)
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 5:17PM
    jimb said:

    image

    Have another
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 6:56PM
    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd.You either stick with physical media, or you don't.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭
    edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM
    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:03PM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    Agreed and that's why I don't no longer buy dvds and if I use sky store on the sky box I sell the dvds they send out to cex. Dvds are a waste of space.
  • Michael GMichael G Member Posts: 876
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:26PM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    I see the pros and cons between owning or renting physical, and owning or renting digital, and I've done them all.

    Clearly, in this case, not enough wanted to own digital.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭
    edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM
    Daniel, tell me about it! Collecting LPs as a youth through to adulthood was one thing. And then along came CDs, so truckloads of them too. Followed by DVDs, natch. And now it's all available at the click of a button, or touch of a screen. They're not even worth selling any more, except by weight.

    This must be costing the BBC a fortune they can ill afford. And a lovely tie-in for Amazon, why them in particular?

    But what happens when other virtual providers decide to provide no more? Questions, questions..
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:28PM
    redchiz said:

    Daniel, tell me about it! Collecting LPs as a youth through to adulthood was one thing. And then along came CDs, so truckloads of them too. Followed by DVDs, natch. And now it's all available at the click of a button, or touch of a screen. They're not even worth selling any more, except by weight.

    This must be costing the BBC a fortune they can ill afford. And a lovely tie-in for Amazon, why them in particular?

    But what happens when other virtual providers decide to provide no more? Questions, questions..

    Lots of questions and to little answers I have my digital content on bt store, sky store and Google play. I just hope I'm safe with these choices. But in reality you never know.
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:32PM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    I think the issue with BBC store I would imagine is lacking in content I imagine most would pick a store based on amount of content. Truth is not many people would think I only ever want stuff from the BBC. They may blame Netflix but I find it funny there happy to sell Netflix rights to there content. One would assume if they definitely thought it was Netflix they would hang on to there content rather than help make Netflix more attractive. I don't buy there argument I really don't.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:53PM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    I don't think the BBC can be accused of lacking in content!

    It is the type of content and the appetite for buying it on a permanent basis which has clearly been insufficient. And availability elsewhere is clearly a factor.

    I think the telling comment from the BBC announcement and also one which gives hope to those wanting access to their rarer material is this: "We do hope to make the programmes you could only get on BBC Store available elsewhere at some point in the future."
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:42PM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    Buy when you think about it if you where choosing a store for food would you shop in a supermarket that only sold bread? I'm sure it would be the thinking of some. Another example would be if I wanted supergirl season one I would not find it at bbc store. A lot of it will be taste but certainly some of it is not having the content someone is after.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 7:49PM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    Indeed. But if you wanted a burger you wouldn't go to a curry house. Probably. Not sure where I'm going with this tbh lol!!!

    I still don't think it is a question of content per se, just how and it what way people prefer to consume it. It is a shame that the project hasn't worked. But I imagine the BBC have learned from it.
  • JoeJoe Member, Super User Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭
    edited 24 September 2017, 9:07PM
    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭
    edited 25 May 2017, 8:19PM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    You think the "older generations" were likely to buy to keep online? And that they use iPlayer, much? I think that's one of the areas where the project failed.
  • JoeJoe Member, Super User Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:18AM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    When I say older generations I include young middle age folk too :) my parents are well versed in using iplayer, and watching content that way. I could never see them bothering to watch a program on a phone, but if it was somehow magically available inside the iplayer they already use on the tv, then I think it would have stood a much better chance of gaining traction.

    If you ask me they proceeded back to front with their strategy. It should have been iplayer on Tv's first, then mobile. Iplayer is the superpower of players, and yet they didn't even bother to try it out. What a wasted opportunity,.

    Now they are refunding all customers. A sizeable waste of money and resources. It should have been great. It's a huge mess.
  • Michael GMichael G Member Posts: 876
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:18AM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    I'm 68 this year. Sad, but true.

    I'd have been well up for it. But offering a buy model ONLY for use on computers and devices was just daft. It wasn't even cast ready. I had to mirror it to the big screen.

    It's almost as if the Beeb has these walled garden divisions who never talk to each other
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:36PM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    The did add chromecast to the app eventually but by then it was to little to late. The writing was probably on the wall at that point.
  • joneshjonesh Member, Super User Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:21AM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    Don't be sad Michael G. Think about what you have got to look forward to - bad knees, failing eyesight, hearing loss, YouView updates :-)

    I agree that the kiss of death for the BBC Store was the fact that it was only available for computers and such devices. I assumed that there must have been some sort of contractual reason why it was not made available on iPlayer or some other TV device app.
  • DanielDaniel Member, Super User Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:23AM
    redchiz said:

    I have always found the virtual "buy and keep" model a bit odd. You either stick with physical media, or you don't.

    I honestly thought it would come to youview eventually unfortunately it's very much a wasted opportunity. I dare say if it was on youview now tv boxes roku and chromecast at launch I reckon we would be saying something completely different now. I personally myself only like the odd bbc show but was hoping this would come to youview as they where a little cheaper on BBC store. The reason I didn't buy into it at launch was lack of availability.
  • JoeJoe Member, Super User Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:36PM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    Bbc store content on connected tv's via iplayer had been planned and stated as being released this year by the head of iplayer development. This is a sudden change of mind - it's quite shocking. I imagine most of the technical groundwork had already been done by now.

    From an outsider POV it seems reckless in the extreme. BBC Store was such a good idea for lots of reasons, I'm shocked by this decision.
  • joneshjonesh Member, Super User Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭
    edited 26 May 2017, 12:36PM
    Joe2 said:

    Getting easy access to bbc store content on the big screen through iplayer was essential, and then marketing it properly. Enough people love bbc content to have made that work particularly the older generations who will buy bbc content for quality as well as nostalgia reasons - having content only available on mobile devices was never going to work for those users.

    Ironically I bought into bbc store as I thought it was a safe bet, and such things such as dramatic closure would never happen. ...That bees nest sure did look enticing :)

    Thank you for the information Joe. It makes the decision to close the BBC Store even more inexplicable.
  • SarahSarah Member Posts: 1,812 admin
    edited 26 May 2017, 11:06AM
    redchiz said:

    Daniel, tell me about it! Collecting LPs as a youth through to adulthood was one thing. And then along came CDs, so truckloads of them too. Followed by DVDs, natch. And now it's all available at the click of a button, or touch of a screen. They're not even worth selling any more, except by weight.

    This must be costing the BBC a fortune they can ill afford. And a lovely tie-in for Amazon, why them in particular?

    But what happens when other virtual providers decide to provide no more? Questions, questions..

    I've recently moved house and in packing everything up, have come to realise I have so many CDs and DVDs. I plan to get the music onto an external hard drive and then near enough all of them and the DVDs (apart from the favourite few!) will go to a few charity shops. Not sure it's worth going to somewhere like CEX or Music Magpie to trade them in as they're probably worth next to nothing now :( 
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