BBC.com managing director Luke Bradley-Jones has dropped some knowledge on the TV-loving world by revealing that the iPlayer's global launch will be on a "pure paid subscription model," to be followed thereafter by partnerships with advertisers on "free" areas of the British TV catchup service. The US is specifically named as one of the first new markets for the venture, which is expected to go live in the middle of next year. In addition to knowing you'll have to shell out to get your fix of Top Gear, Doctor Who and, erm, The Foods that Make Billions, you'll also be wanting to know that the first platform for the iPlayer outside the UK will be none other than Apple's iPad. What is it with Brits and the iPad?