Penguins can fly on the BBC’s iPlayer.

> Quicktime H.264
(22mb)
> iPod Compatible
(11.5mb)
> Watch in Flash
(8.3mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(13mb)
> iPod Compatible
(10mb)
> Watch in Flash
(11mb progressive)

UPDATE: Added the “making of” video above.

While the ABC is still busy getting its Playback service off the ground, the BBC’s iPlayer is already a huge success with over 17 million downloads and streams since its Christmas day launch.

To celebrate April Fools Day and further promote the iPlayer platform the BBC produced this very funny and creative promotion that ran yesterday across BBC television, and generated the kind of 1st of April newspaper stories we’ve all come to expect, with the Mirror reporting: First-ever images of the world’s only flying penguins.

The Guardian has reported that the spot was likely well worth the money for the coverage it received, and while the BBC is certainly raising the bar on the digital future, I can’t wait to see what the ABC delivers.

– Thanks to Craig for the video.