BBC iPlayer facts for kids
.svg){kind=logo}
Logo used since 2022.
|
|
BBC iPlayer homepage as of October 2017
|
|
| Developer(s) | BBC |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 25 December 2007 |
| Stable release |
3.2.15 / 13 July 2012
Windows standalone application, no longer developed, instead it runs on any supported web browser |
| Written in | JavaScript, Adobe AIR, Objective-C, Java |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Virgin Media (Streaming only), Freesat (beta), Sky Go (part of On Demand service), Sky TV, BT TV (part of On Demand service), Now TV, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows Phone 8, YouView, Wii (discontinued on February 10, 2015), Wii U (discontinued in January 2017) |
| Available in | English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish |
| Type | Media player software |
| Licence | BBC iPlayer applications are proprietarily-licensed. Users also require a TV licence and a BBC account |
BBC iPlayer is a popular online service from the BBC. It lets you watch TV shows and listen to radio programmes whenever you want. You can use it on many different devices. These include mobile phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs.
If you are in the UK, BBC iPlayer shows do not have any adverts. The names BBC iPlayer, iPlayer, and BBC Media Player all refer to different ways of enjoying the same content.
In 2015, the BBC started using modern web standards like HTML5 for playing videos. This meant less reliance on older technologies like Flash.
On 17 October 2018, the BBC iPlayer Radio service changed its name. It became known as BBC Sounds.
In 2019, the BBC made the picture quality even better. Shows on iPlayer became available in 1080p (full HD). Before this, the best quality was 720p (standard HD).
On 20 October 2021, the BBC announced a new logo for BBC iPlayer. It was also rebranded to simply "iPLAYER".
What is BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer is a "video on demand" service. This means you can choose what you want to watch or listen to, whenever you like. It's like having a huge library of BBC shows and radio programmes at your fingertips.
You can watch shows that have already been broadcast. You can also watch some programmes live as they are being shown on TV.
How did BBC iPlayer start?
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg)
The idea for BBC iPlayer came about in 2005. A BBC employee named Ben Lavender thought of it. He was frustrated trying to find TV shows online. He shared his idea, and it was a big hit!
A test version of the service was developed first. It was called BBC Redux. BBC iPlayer officially launched on 25 December 2007.
At first, most programmes were only available for 7 days after they were broadcast. This was mainly due to copyright rules. Later, in October 2014, this was extended to 30 days. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many shows became available for much longer. Some entire series are now available for over a year.
In February 2011, BBC iPlayer added links to shows from other UK broadcasters. These included ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. If you clicked on one of their shows, you would go to their own catch-up service.
In April 2014, BBC iPlayer got a new look. It was updated again to make it easier to use.
Do you need a TV Licence?
In the UK, you need a TV licence to watch or record live TV. This includes any channel, on any device.
Before September 2016, you did not need a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer shows that had already been broadcast. However, since 1 September 2016, you need a TV licence to watch any content on BBC iPlayer. This applies whether it's live or on-demand.
The BBC also started asking users to sign in with a BBC ID account. This helps the BBC offer personalised features. For example, it can recommend shows you might like. It also lets you continue watching a show on a different device from where you left off.
How iPlayer works on computers
The first version of iPlayer for computers was called 'iPlayer 1.0'.
Downloading shows
The original iPlayer allowed you to download TV shows. This used a technology called "peer-to-peer" (P2P). It helped share large video files efficiently.
Later, in December 2008, the BBC changed this. They moved to a system that downloaded content directly using HTTP. This new system also used different digital rights management (DRM) software. DRM helps control how long programmes can be watched.
Downloaded shows were available for 7 days after broadcast. Once you started watching, you had 7 days to finish.
Streaming shows
The streaming version of iPlayer launched on 13 December 2007. It used Adobe Flash software. This allowed you to watch shows from all national BBC TV channels. It also included S4C programmes from the last 7 days.
Some international or privately made shows were not available. This was due to licensing agreements.
Newer versions of iPlayer
The BBC has released several updated versions of iPlayer over the years.
- iPlayer 2.0: Launched in June 2008. It combined TV and radio iPlayer. It also added features like automatic resume and a bigger screen. A special version for children aged 6-12 was also released.
- iPlayer 3.0: Released in September 2010. This version added links to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. It also introduced BBC ID accounts. This allowed users to save their favourite shows and settings across different devices.
- iPlayer Downloads: This simpler app replaced the older Desktop application. It focused mainly on downloading shows.
- The New BBC iPlayer: Introduced in March 2014. It had a fresh look and a "responsive design". This means it worked well on many different screen sizes. It also added new categories to help users find programmes.
In recent years, iPlayer has also offered Ultra HD (4K) quality for some shows. This provides amazing picture detail.
iPlayer on your TV
BBC iPlayer is available on many different TV platforms.
- BT Vision: The full iPlayer service became available to BT Vision customers by June 2011.
- Digital media receivers: You could stream iPlayer shows to TVs using devices like NetGear EVA8000.
- Freesat:
iPlayer launched on Freesat devices in December 2009. It became officially available on 11 January 2010. You can usually find it on channel 901 or via the red button.
- Freeview: iPlayer became available on Freeview HD certified devices from April 2011. You can access it through the red button on BBC channels.
- Roku: Roku streaming devices launched in the UK in February 2012. iPlayer was available from the start.
- Sky: iPlayer was added to Sky's On Demand service on 30 October 2012. You need a Sky TV subscription and an internet-connected Sky+ HD box.
- Smart TVs and Blu-ray players: Many modern TVs and Blu-ray players have iPlayer built-in. Samsung and Sony were among the first to include it.
- Virgin Media: iPlayer was integrated with Virgin Media's on-demand service in April 2008. You can access it by pressing the red button on a BBC channel. HD content was added in May 2009.
- YouView: BBC iPlayer was one of the first services available when YouView launched in July 2012.
iPlayer on game consoles
You can also watch BBC iPlayer on many popular game consoles.
- PlayStation 3: The BBC launched an official iPlayer app for PS3 on 2 December 2008. It became very popular. However, support for iPlayer on PS3 ended in October 2020.
- PlayStation 4: The BBC iPlayer app was confirmed for the PlayStation 4 and is free to use.
- PlayStation 5: BBC iPlayer was released on PlayStation 5 on November 30, 2021.
- Wii:
A dedicated iPlayer channel for the Wii launched on 18 November 2009. It was free to download. However, the service was stopped on 10 February 2015.
- Wii U: The iPlayer app was released for the Wii U on 28 May 2015. But it was removed from the Nintendo eShop on 31 August 2016. The service ended on 16 January 2017.
- Xbox 360: After some discussions, BBC iPlayer became available on Xbox 360 on 20 March 2012. It even included Kinect features. Support for Xbox 360 iPlayer ended on 27 March 2019.
- Xbox One: The BBC iPlayer app was released for the Xbox One on 4 December 2014.
iPlayer on mobile devices
BBC iPlayer has apps for many mobile phones and tablets.
- Android devices: Official support for Android phones began in June 2010. A native iPlayer app for Android was released in February 2011. In September 2012, the app was updated to allow users to download programmes.
- BlackBerry devices: An official iPlayer app for BlackBerry phones was available from November 2010.
- iOS devices: A test version for Apple's iOS devices (like iPhone and iPad) was released in March 2008. Updates allowed streaming over 3G and downloading shows for offline viewing.
- Windows Phone: The BBC iPlayer app was released for Windows Phone 8 devices on 15 May 2013.
Can you watch iPlayer outside the UK?
BBC TV shows are paid for by the UK TV licence fee. Because of this, most BBC iPlayer TV programmes are only available if you are in the UK. However, most BBC radio programmes can be listened to anywhere in the world.
An international version of iPlayer was launched in July 2011. It was an iPad app available in some European countries. It offered some free content and a subscription option. This international service was later stopped in May 2015.
In some countries, like Singapore and Malaysia, the BBC launched a service called BBC Player. This is available to subscribers of certain TV packages.
In March 2017, the BBC also helped launch BritBox in the U.S. This is a subscription service with British TV shows.
Fun facts about iPlayer
In 2009, for April Fools' Day, the BBC joked that iPlayer would be available on a special toaster. This was so users could watch breakfast TV!
The volume control on iPlayer goes up to 11. This is a funny reference to a movie called This Is Spinal Tap. In the movie, a guitar amplifier's volume knob goes "up to eleven", meaning it's extra loud!
See also
