BBC defends decision to continue using Flash

Erik Huggers says Flash technology does not betray the BBC's commitment to open standards

The BBC has stood by its decision to continue using Flash, in the face of criticism

The BBC’s director of future media and technology, Erik Huggers, has defended the broadcasting corporation’s use of Flash on BBC iPlayer and across BBC Online.

He claims that using Flash, which is a proprietary software that is used to add interactive features such as video and animation to applications and web pages, does not betray the BBC’s commitment to open standards.

Huggers was responding to criticism of the BBC’s reliance on Flash in a recent blog post. He said that there is still a need to use Flash because there is a lot of work yet to be done on forthcoming web standards platform HTML5, which will ultimately reduce the need for the use of Flash.

“As things stand I have concerns about HTML5's ability to deliver on the vision of a single open browser standard which goes beyond the whole debate around video playback.”

He did, however, maintain that a focus on open standards has always been part of the BBC's DNA and reaffirmed his commitment to the aims of HTML5.

“The fact is that there's still a lot of work to be done on HTML5 before we can integrate it fully into our products. As things stand, I have concerns about HTML5's ability to deliver on the vision of a single open browser standard which goes beyond the whole debate around video playback,” said Huggers.

“HTML5 can bring the web together in a way that will better allow us to serve our audiences and business partners.”