The BBC iPlayer team are on a mission: to develop the best place to discover and watch BBC TV for the benefit of UK licence fee payers. Here Head of BBC iPlayer, Dan Taylor-Watt, talks through some of the latest developments.
The number one priority for the team developing BBC iPlayer is quality of experience; ensuring s get the best possible experience on the 10,000+ different devices iPlayer is now available on, including over 2,500 different connected TV devices, which this year became the most popular way of accessing BBC iPlayer, ing for more programme requests than computers, tablets and smartphones combined.
Ultra HD
One important aspect of that experience is picture quality and, following our move to HD by default on computers and connected TV devices last year and a UHD test, I’m delighted that we will shortly be releasing the stunning Blue Planet II in its entirety in the best quality ever shown on the BBC. The full seven part series will be available on BBC iPlayer in Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) on compatible TVs after the final episode airs on BBC One on Sunday 10th December. You can read more about Blue Planet II in UHD on the BBC Media Centre and R&D blog.
The whole of Blue Planet II will be made available in Ultra HD on BBC iPlayer
Live Restart from broadcast
One of BBC iPlayer’s most valued features is the ability to jump back to watch the start of a programme whilst it’s still being broadcast, meaning you’re never late for a BBC programme again. We originally developed the feature for computers but have since rolled it out for mobiles, tablets and connected TV devices and it’s now used by over a million browsers every week. We want to make it as simple as possible to access Live Restart and have been working with TV platform providers to integrate links to Live Restart into their interfaces. First out of the blocks was Freesat, who integrated in July and we are working with other partners to provide easy access to this feature. We're also preparing to roll out one-button-access to Live Restart on capable, connected devices via on-screen triggers from our broadcast channels. Watch this space.
Never miss the start of a BBC programme again with BBC iPlayer’s Live Restart feature
Boxsets
When BBC iPlayer first launched in 2007 it offered 7 days in which to catch up on programmes after they were broadcast on TV. Fast-forward to 2017 and there are over 6,500 episodes to enjoy at any given moment, including a growing number of boxsets, both brand new series like Snowfall, Motherland and Josh and gems from the archive like Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends and Killing For Love. This Christmas, dozens more top draw BBC boxsets will be made available to watch on BBC iPlayer. To make it easier to discover this wealth of programming we’re updating the iPlayer Home screen to make it easier to browse. We’re also developing autoplay, which automatically cues up another episode when the credits start rolling (with the option to cancel/turn off).
The updated iPlayer Home screen will make it easier to browse, particularly on TV devices
on TV
With so many programmes to choose from, it’s not always easy to keep track of the series you’re watching or to decide on what to watch next. s of BBC iPlayer on computers, mobiles and tablets have been able to for a number of years now to resume part-watched series and episodes, add programmes to watch later and enjoy more relevant recommendations. This year we’ve been rolling that functionality out to connected TV devices. We’ve made it simple to on your TV – no need to input a lengthy email address or using a remote control – just on a computer, tablet or smartphone and input the 8-character code shown on the TV screen. We’re also rolling out simple switching, so multiple household can all be signed-in on the same TV and easily toggle between their different s.
Easy switching on BBC iPlayer on connected TV
Device
We put a lot of work into ensuring BBC iPlayer continues to work on older devices. Unfortunately, it is not always technically possible or economically viable to continue to a device, especially when the manufacturer has discontinued . In these circumstances then we aim to provide owners of those devices with as much advanced notice as possible and guidance as to how they can continue to enjoy BBC iPlayer without needing to buy a new TV set.
That’s all for now. Comments welcome although individual technical queries are best directed to BBC iPlayer (if you haven’t been able to find an answer to your question on the BBC iPlayer Help site).
