VeriSign security part of new online media player

NEW YORK - VeriSign, which specialises in Internet security, says its service to deliver programming over high speed Web connections would be used as the infrastructure for a new online media player from the BBC.

The BBC is due to launch its Web-based iPlayer on July 27.

The iPlayer lets viewers store television and radio programmes on their computers and play them back for up to 30 days after its original broadcast.

Media files that have been viewed automatically delete themselves.

The world's largest media companies are seeking ways to allow more access to their programmes through the Internet while protecting the material from pirated distribution.

Channel 4 has said that more than one million people had used its Internet-based on-demand service by the end of April, well ahead of expectations.

VeriSign had also worked with Channel 4 to make its programming available online.

- REUTERS