Europe Prefers Online Video to TV

The fall of TV continues. Previously, the BBC cut an awesome deal with YouTube; now, they’re beefing up their own online video offering.

Almost half of European broadband users are using their computers to watch television online, a survey claims.

The ability to “take control” of their viewing was the motivation for many users said Motorola, which interviewed 2,500 people including the UK.

This week the BBC’s iPlayer was given the green light meaning shows such as Doctor Who and EastEnders are to be made available online.

The Motorola study suggested that 45% of European broadband users were watching some television shows online with the French being the most enthusiastic in consuming their favourite programmes via the web.

The results of Motorola’s study are unsurprising to anyone watching European Internet habits. For years, the British have spent more time at their PCs than at their tellies.

Yahoo! Messenger for the Web

Catching up to Google’s and Microsoft’s browser-based Ajax chat offerings, Yahoo just released a browser-based Flash version of Yahoo! Messenger at webmessenger.yahoo.com. Avatars, emoticons, history, and MSN Messenger integration available at launch; VoIP to follow. As always, Microsoft is the loser in this area: both Yahoo’s and Google’s Web IM offerings are snappier than theirs.

On a country-specific note, this’ll be a hit here in the Philippines. The vast majority of online Filipinos use Yahoo! Messenger, and either go to dinky Internet rental shops or sulk behind medieval corporate firewalls.

(Via Michael Arrington.)