The BBC Trust has begun a consultation over adding a "pre-booking" function to the iPlayer.

This feature would let users pre-order downloads of BBC programmes head of their broadcast time, instead of having to wait until the programme has been shown.

Currently the iPlayer is a catch-up on demand service that lets viewers download or stream BBC shows that have been broadcast over the last 7 days.

The pre-order function could see programmes delivered before the scheduled broadcast time, but the Beeb's digital rights management (that has been hacked several times now) in theory would not let the show be viewed until the scheduled broadcast time.

The BBC Trust says that this kind of pre-booking functionality will add public value,and should not impact on other video-on-demand services - but it's asking the public and industry to add their views before 30 July.

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