Back in July the BBC launched their TV download service, iPlayer, to a mixed chorus of excitement and – from the Mac (and Linux) contingent – sobbing; the software was, and in fact still is, compatible with Windows XP only.  In a recent interview Ashley Highfield, head of the corporation’s Future Media and Technology unit, revealed that a streaming version of the application would be available for Mac and Linux users by Christmas (just in time for the Queen’s Speach, I suppose); in fact, he claims it was always in the timeline, and the error in fact was not missing out the non-XP formats but failing to publicise the coming alternatives.

Of course, streaming is one thing but what about taking downloaded shows with you and watching them on, say, your shiny iPod Touch or iPhone?  Well, it turns out that Highfield is quite the fan of the Touch himself and, while he wouldn’t be pushed on any solid plans for DRM-free media, he did discuss downloads:

“We do want to find a download solution, if at all possible, for Mac users. We do believe the next suite of Adobe Air products will enable us to offer a download solution for Macs and we believe that would be possible at some point during 2008. The point is, I’m not going to be able to commit to it until we’ve got our sticky mitts on it, tried it, tested it, worked out the cost implications” Ashley Highfield, BBC

He goes on to reiterate his expectation that mid-2008 will see a suitable client, as well as discuss the sentiment that the BBC “is not wedded to DRM or any form of DRM. I’m not in bed with Beelzebub.”