iPlayer

Latest News

BBC releases new iPlayer Cbeebies
"Not designed as a baby-sitting service" 11 May 2009 11:26 GMT
The BBC has released a revamped version of its Cbeebies iPlayer aimed at the under-6s, or more accurately, at their parents.

Designed as a "dual experience" for parents and children, or as a solo activity for older children to become more web literate, it's...
iPlayer to get series link, subscriptions and more personalisation
Future plans revealed for fans 8 May 2009 17:08 GMT
The BBC is to offer more features for its popular iPlayer catch-up on demand service that are likely to please fans, a Crave interview with iPlayer boss Anthony Rose, has revealed.

Rose has shared plans for a more personalised iPlayer with series link functionality,...
High def BBC iPlayer announced for Virgin Media
V+ customers to get HD shows on demand 1 May 2009 11:10 GMT
Good news for Virgin Media customers - the BBC has announced the launch of high definition iPlayer content for the cable service.

Virgin Media's TV customers can now get some BBC programmes, including Robin Hood, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Later… with...
Expect internet "brownouts" from early 2010
Reports says online demand exceeding supply will see PCs jitter and freeze 27 April 2009 14:57 GMT
Regular "brownouts" for the Internet are forecast as early as next year as cyberspace gets more crowded, says a report from Nemertes Research, a "respected American think-tank".

Computers and laptops trying to get online will soon just "freeze", thanks to consumer...
BBC iPlayer goes high def
For Windows, Mac and Linux users 16 April 2009 13:27 GMT
Following the news we brought you that this would be coming soon, the BBC's iPlayer service is now offering programmes in high definition.

In a move that will have the UK's ISPs cowering, the iPlayer will offer high definition streaming as well as downloads...
BBC iPlayer launches for a new platform
Toaster Edition to capture breakfast TV market 1 April 2009 12:43 GMT
The BBC iPlayer, already available on the iPhone, Wii, mobiles, PMPs and Virgin Media, is now available on a new gadget for your viewing pleasure.

The Beeb's marketing team apparently identified breakfast television as an emerging market segment for on-demand...
iPlayer to get HD channel
High-def-catch-up-on-demand 9 March 2009 17:06 GMT
The BBC is due to unveil a dedicated high definition channel for its iPlayer on-demand video service, it's been revealed.

Although not an official announcement just yet, the news comes from reputable sources via Twitter.

Jana Bennett, director...
Virgin Media sees half a billion on-demand views
"Viewers are abandoning TV schedules" 12 February 2009 10:02 GMT
Virgin Media says 2008 was the year on demand television "came of age" with its TV viewers watching over half a billion on demand programmes.

With a record-breaking 56 million views in December alone, Virgin says its on demand's popularity has grown by over...
"3 On Demand" mobile TV launches
Full length episodes added to Live streaming services 22 January 2009 13:40 GMT
3 has launched "3 on demand" mobile TV in the UK. 3 on Demand gives access to current live TV channels and mobile internet services from BBC iPlayer and Sky Mobile TV.

The service includes 3's existing streaming TV channels (3 Live) alongside a "host of new...
Get iPlayer on Apple TV thanks to Boxee
CES 2009: Media player app adds support for more services 9 January 2009 11:27 GMT
Boxee has made some exciting announcements at the CES show in Las Vegas, including news of interest to those in the UK.

Boxee, a new media player application, has added support for content from MTV Music and Joost - and for the UK - the BBC's iPlayer service....
BBC iPlayer coming to Freesat
As last quarter sales of subs-free satellite TV doubled 8 January 2009 16:31 GMT
Freesat has announced that despite difficult times on the high street, its sales have doubled in the last quarter of 2008, it also reveals the service will be getting the BBC's iPlayer catch-up programming this year.

By the end of 2008 Freesat, the UK's subscription-free...
Netgear launches Internet TV Player
CES 2009: Set-top box blurs online video lines 7 January 2009 19:37 GMT
Netgear has announced the launch of the Internet TV Player, slightly confusingly for UK residents called the ITV 2000.

The device is described as a compact, easy-to-use, plug in and go internet set-top device complete with a remote control.

So far,...
BBC iPlayer posts record numbers
Popular over Christmas as viewers caught up 7 January 2009 7:54 GMT
We already know that the BBC had a good Christmas dominating the nation's favourite Christmas day programmes with nine out of the top ten shows, but it seems that popularity translated to plenty of views on the web as well for the BBC's iPlayer.

The corporation...
iPlayer boss proposes tiered services for ISPs
Down to the provider to decide what bandwidth to offer 23 December 2008 14:51 GMT
In a wide-ranging and lengthy interview with the European Broadcasting Union, iPlayer boss Anthony Rose has suggested that the on-demand service could be offered in different tiers for internet service providers to decide which level to offer their customers, and for how...
BBC iPlayer for children launches
Under sixes to be targeted in 2009 19 December 2008 12:02 GMT
The BBC has launched a version of the iPlayer aimed at its younger viewers that's described as a specially designed, child-friendly service.

Designed for children aged 6 to 12, BBC iPlayer for CBBC gives kids the chance to choose when they watch programmes such...
iPlayer downloads come to Mac and Linux
Uses Adobe Air to bring in new features 19 December 2008 9:21 GMT
The BBC has released a version of the iPlayer that works fully with Mac and Linux computers - although only in beta at this stage.

Mac and Linux users have been able to stream iPlayer programming, but have not yet enjoyed the full service from the Beeb including...
Five things to know about the BBC iPlayer
Crib sheet for bluffers 12 December 2008 14:27 GMT
It's BBC iPlayer day to mark the service's year anniversary and to celebrate, here are five things you should know about the iPlayer:

It's popular
That's right, the iPlayer has been pretty successful since its launch last year. According to figures from...
BBC, ITV and BT reveal TV over broadband proposals
Next gen, free to air services on your telly 11 December 2008 13:01 GMT
The BBC, ITV and BT have announced they are joining together to work as partners to "promote a common industry approach and consumer offer to deliver on demand TV over broadband".

Open for all public service broadcasters, device developers and other internet...
BBC launches iPlayer for Omnia, Xperia X1 and C905
New mobile platform announced 11 December 2008 10:11 GMT
The BBC has announced a new portal for iPlayer on mobile which includes live TV and radio alongside the catch-up services.

It will initially be available on the Samsung Omnia and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 with support for the Sony Ericsson C905 by the end of next...
BBC to celebrate iPlayer day on 12 December
Behind the scenes look at how the service works and more 9 December 2008 11:11 GMT
To celebrate the iPlayer's year anniversary, the team behind the service is offering to take viewers "behind the scenes to lift the lid on how Britain's most popular TV catch-up service works".

From 9am on Friday 12 December, the iPlayer crew will be posting...
COMMENT: Is emulating the iPlayer the key to success?
Another broadcaster rebrands with the Player moniker for catch-up service 5 December 2008 14:22 GMT
Today saw the announcement that ITV is the latest broadcaster to change the name of its catch-up service to feature the Player moniker.

So now we have iPlayer from the BBC, Sky Player from Sky and ITV Player from ITV. Notice any connection?

That's...
ITV renames catch-up service ITV Player
Can't think why 5 December 2008 11:56 GMT
It's been revealed that ITV is to rename its online catch-up service the "ITV Player" apparently in an attempt "to create a more recognisable brand".

Launched in March 2007, and currently called "Catch Up TV", it shows popular ITV programmes on the ITV.com site,...
BBC iPlayer sees over 298 million views
More strong stats revealed 4 December 2008 12:21 GMT
The BBC has revealed more impressive figures for its catch-up TV service, the iPlayer.

Total requests for BBC iPlayer views online stand at 237 million to the end of November 2008, with a further 61 million TV requests to the end of October to view via Virgin...
BBC live streaming of One and Two kicks off
Simulcasts start today 27 November 2008 14:06 GMT
Today marks the debut of BBC One and BBC Twos' live streaming via bbc.co.uk.

The Beeb's flagship channels can now be watched online via their channel sites on bbc.co.uk through a wide range of internet enabled devices as well as through BBC iPlayer.
BBC Trust says no to regional online content
£68m plan rejected 21 November 2008 16:15 GMT
The BBC Trust has rejected a £68m plan for a network of online new services.

The plans had already been criticised by local newspaper publishers as well as Tory leader David Cameron who weighed into the debate earlier this week.

Trust chairman Sir...