BBC download plan 'will hit sales of DVDs'

The BBC suffered a blow as the media regulator said its planned download "on-demand" service could hamper commercial rivals.

Ofcom warned that the BBC iPlayer might damage DVD sales as well as orchestras and classical music revenues.

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The iPlayer will let licence fee-payers download any TV or radio programme from the previous seven days and watch BBC live on the internet.

Ofcom is concerned that so-called "series stacking" - in which viewers automatically download and store an entire run of programmes - would hit DVD sales and rentals.

It also warned that the ability to download audio content could have a "serious adverse effect" on the market for audio books and classical music.