The BBC is preparing to launch a new iPlayer version that will include both radio and television content and a personalised recommendation feature.

BBC's head of digital media technology Anthony Rose said: In a few weeks time, we are going live with an all new iPlayer that has radio and TV all in the same interface.

Work is also underway on a number of personalised facilities including a recommendation feature that will introduce new content to viewers based on their past choices. The recommendations will be based on genre clusters or "virtual channels" that the BBC is identifying by studying usage patterns.

Rose said that different personalisation techniques will be tested over the next two to three months and will then "have a shoot-out" to decide which are adopted.

Individual users on shared computers will be able to protect and build on their own profile with a personal log in, possibly by selecting an avatar.

The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are facing opposition to their plan to launch a joint online television service, codenamed Kangaroo, from media groups concerned about its potential to stifle competition.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has asked for views on whether Kangaroo could damage competition in the nascent video on-demand market.

It will then decide whether to refer the proposed service to the Competition Commission or demand safeguards to ensure it does not damage competitors.

BSkyB and Virgin Media, who have their own on-demand platforms, have told OFT that the merger "raises concerns".

BSkyB wants to ensure that all the content carried on Kangaroo is also available to its video on-demand service. Graham McWilliam, group corporate affairs director at BSkyB, said: The shareholders of Kangaroo must not be allowed to leverage their unique position in television, built on public subsidy, into the on-demand space.

The fiercest criticism has come from Joost, the London-based web TV site founded by the entrepreneurs who made millions selling their internet phone service, Skype, to eBay. Chief executive Mike Volpi said the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 had so far failed to supply programmes to his service: We have asked many times. In the case of the commercial players negotiations have broken down over price. In the case of the BBC it's just been a flat-out no.

Volpi said: When you have a situation where so much good content ends up being potentially exclusive through a single distribution channel, it makes it very difficult for any player outside of those three to be competitive in the UK market.