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BBC unveils new BBC iPlayer

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BBC iPlayer, launched on Christmas day 2007, is now available on over 1000 devices across four screens – mobile, tablet, computer and TV. The apps have been downloaded over 28m times and in January 2014 there were 315 million requests – averaging over 10 million requests a day. Over 10 billion programmes have been requested in the six years since launch, with over 3 billion of these coming in 2013 alone.

Tony Hall, Director-General, BBC, commented: “This is an exciting day for us. BBC iPlayer is really popular, and new iPlayer will be even better. You’ll be able to find so many more programmes you might like – and I hope everyone enjoys the new design. It’s just a first step to re-inventing BBC iPlayer, the best online television service in the world.”

Redesigned from the ground up, the new version of BBC iPlayer brings together a new look and feel with core functionality that is built for the future. It makes finding content simpler, discovering new content easier and allows more options for the curation of content. Playback is richer and the viewing experience is tailored to the device being used by the viewer.

Rolling out now as an opt-in preview on computer, tablet and mobile browsers, as well as a range of connected TVs, the new BBC iPlayer has:

  • a consistent, optimised, responsive design
  • more advanced recommendations – helping the 42% of BBC iPlayer users who come to iPlayer with nothing in mind to watch
  • smarter search – if viewers want Top Gear, they just type ‘To’ and BBC iPlayer will predict their search and offer options – making it easier to find what they want
  • collections – groups of programmes curated around events, themes or moments in time that allow viewers to find more of the content that matters to them
  • improved access to channels and categories, with both given more prominence – all branded with channel colours and logos
  • image-led navigation
  • the best ever playback experience
  • a new-look favourites section that updates with the latest episodes available to watch. Recently watched and searched options that allow easy access to programmes individuals have recently viewed and searched for, and resume play that allows them to pick up an episode where they left off

In the coming months, the BBC iPlayer mobile and tablet apps will be updated with the new look and feel – providing audiences with a consistent iPlayer experience across even more devices.

The BBC also announced a raft of new iPlayer commissions that introduce audiences to new talent, and give established favourites the chance to do something different and innovative.

  • Original Drama Shorts – Flea, Tag and My Jihad – original films from new young writers and emerging talent. Available on BBC iPlayer now.
  • Original Comedy Shorts – seven original comedies from the likes of Frankie Boyle, Bob Mortimer, Meera Syal, Morgana Robinson, Micky Flanagan, Matt Berry and Stewart Lee. Available on BBC iPlayer from May 2014.
  • Acclaimed journalist and storyteller Adam Curtis will bring iPlayer a radical vision of contemporary Britain, exploring the themes of hypocrisy, deception and corruption with his iPlayer trilogy: Out There, At The Mountains Of Madness and Dream Baby Dream. Available on BBC iPlayer from July 2014.
  • A guided tour of Matisse The Cut-Outs Exhibition at Tate Modern by musician and artist Goldie. Available on BBC iPlayer from April 2014.
  • The new series premiere of People Just Do Nothing, a show born on BBC iPlayer through the first batch of BBC Three ‘Comedy Feeds’. Available on BBC iPlayer from May 2014.
  • BBC Four: Great War Interviews Collection – 13 previously unseen full-length interviews with war veterans and civilians, curated by Sir Max Hastings. Available on BBC iPlayer now.
  • An exclusive BBC iPlayer film My God, It’s Full Of Fans to accompany the BBC Two series on the history of science fiction My God, It’s Full Of Stars. Coming soon to BBC iPlayer.
  • A Chelsea Flower Show collection – a collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society that takes viewers on an exclusive in-depth tour of the show gardens. Available on BBC iPlayer in May.