BBC to use DRM on its HD channels

BBC uses Freeview HD, a portal for freely accessible digital television, to broadcast digital content, amongst which four HD channels. Everyone with a set-top box can receive these channels. However, the BBC is now planning to implement DRM on some of the broadcasted content. It does so to prevent the programs from being pirated.

Freeview’s licencing agreement does not allow the BBC to encrypt the video and audio streams, it had to find another way to implement DRM. It has found a workaround by encrypting the data associated with the TV listings instead. Manufacturers of authorised set-top boxes would then receive decryption keys that enable viewing the shows.

Critics doubt the effectiveness of this measure to prevent piracy and claim the measure is not in consumer interest. They fear that manufacturers of cheap set-top boxes relying on open source software will be excluded from the deal, only permitting viewers with more expensive boxes to view the content.

BBC has filed its plans with Ofcom, the British telecommunications authority, for approval.