—BBC Green-Lights On-Demand Service: The BBC’s iPlayer on-demand TV service has been given the go-ahead by its governing body. The service will enable viewers to download TV favorite programs in the near future. Initially, iPlayer will offer downloads of BBC shows for up to seven days after broadcast. The shows can be viewed for up to 30 days after download.

—Blinkx Partners With PBS On Streaming Content: Video search engine Blinkx is indexing a wide array of PBS streaming content, which users can find at its site. The content includes educational, news and public affairs programming. Aside from its TV related content, some of the programs have been customized for classroom learning.

—Microsoft Powers User-Gen Content For CBS Sites: CBS will use Microsoft’s cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in Silverlight to bring user-generated content to the websites of its owned-and-operated TV stations. The long-term plan is to also incorporate user-generated content in over-the-air newscasts, which will become easier as CBS installs server-based news production facilities across its O&O’s.

—History Beefing Up Original Broadband Content: The History Channel is expanding its online offerings with original content, including acquired documentaries produced by George Lucas, as well as developing six major specials for the network. The network’s Web site will have five “digital brands,” including short-form original broadband series featuring rarely seen historical footage, and a military blog that will enable users to experience soldier’s stories directly from the front lines.

—A&E Lets Out the Digital Dogs: Bounty hunter and A&E reality star Dog will appear in animated form on the network’s site. Dog 2.0, based on the long-running Dog the Bounty Hunter, is one of several new digital properties A&E is offering advertisers this year, including two broadband Websites devoted to genres the cable network is trying to corner: crime and the paranormal.

—Joost Nabs 32 Advertisers: Joost, the startup Internet TV platform now in closed beta, has landed 32 advertisers for its late spring launch, including Electronic Arts, Kraft, Lionsgate, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and United Airlines.