Christmas day is a challenging time to launch any new service, but the BBC is hoping that its iPlayer – a service that provides TV programmes over the internet – will come as a godsend to families squabbling over whether to watch Gone with the Wind or the Top of the Pops special.

Video interview

Ashley Highfield, director of future media and technology at the BBC talks to Maija Palmer about the iPlayer and the rest of the corporation’s digital strategy

Those who lose the fight for the remote will be able to catch their favourite show on the net whenever they like over the following week.