Well, I dunno, this happened some time ago ... and it does not seem to be OS or Browser specific ... I get the same "problem" in Firefox, unknown plug-in required ??
The missing plug-in on IE7 is x-mplayer2 ... sorry, never heard of it.
I use to be able to watch the BBCs news snippets, then one day I get this ... I just stopped going there ... they have always peeved me off with their Realplayer crap that I used to send them an email every month.
Then one day, knock me down with a feather, there was a chioce of viewer.
I'll ask my Niece, she's been "working", as an independent, for the Beeb for a wee while now ... maybe she can shed some light on it.
It is the only website I have any problems with ... anything else just works.
No bother ... I know what a plane is capable of.
EDIT ...
http://cgi.netscape.com/cgi-bin/pi_moreinfo.cgi?PID=10066