[DTV]

Sadly have to agree.  Whilst it's nice to have such archive content available for free, and whilst there is likely a significant amount of content on the iPlayer that couldn't be monetised, this feels like a switch from something making money for the BBC to something that is now costing them money - at a time when money is tight.

I guess the counter-argument would be that it will likely reach a wider audience on iPlayer, particularly in terms of opening up to younger viewers. A wider and younger audience opens up new merchandising opportunities, which, in turn, brings in more money. It's also not exclusively on iPlayer, so additional licensing money will continue.

Also, there are wider benefits to getting it on the BBC - it increases traffic to the BBC website, which can encourage viewers to watch other programmes. And in terms of the cost, Doctor Who has consistently been one of the most watched programmes on iPlayer, so, even with the accessibility costs, it's likely greater value for money than certain other programmes that get put up (I wonder how many people watch e.g. the 05:30 WBR, Breakfast or non-18:30 regional news programmes).

From what I understand, this also wasn't so much a wish from RTD, rather one of his demands for coming back (which supposedly also included the Confidential-style BtS programme and a return to a regular slot in the TV calender).