BBC releases major update for BBC iPlayer apps
The BBC has released major updates for its iOS and Android BBC iPlayer apps for mobiles and tablets.
The release means new BBC iPlayer now offers the best-ever playback experience, and makes browsing and discovering BBC programmes even better across four screens - mobile, tablet, computer and connected TV.
The app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play, and as an update to the 26 million apps already downloaded, follows the launch of new BBC iPlayer on connected TVs and responsive web in March, a new BBC iPlayer interface on Sky last week and new Amazon Kindle and Windows Phone 8 versions in the last few days.
New features in the iOS and Android app upgrade include:
A new Home screen with a selection of curated programmes and the most popular programmes available on BBC iPlayer at the moment
New Category pages, with a selection of curated programmes to browse and a simple A-Z list that makes finding programmes even easier
New Channel pages in channel branding that showcase programmes specific to each channel – with Watch Live prominently displayed for easy access
Subtitles for downloaded programmes, enabling BBC programmes to be enjoyed with subtitles on the go
An optimised design which switches seamlessly between landscape and portrait orientations.
The Home, Category and Channel pages all include Collections - a new feature that allows programmes to be grouped together based on a series or theme. This feature could showcase a collection of new and archive programmes on Hip Hop or the entire new series of Sarah & Duck, for example.
Dan Taylor, Head of BBC iPlayer, says: "This update brings the best-ever BBC iPlayer experience to our hugely successful mobile and tablet apps, making the huge breadth of what the BBC offers - from Happy Valley to Match Of The Day, from The Trip to In The Night Garden - easier to find and putting the discovery of new favourites that you didn't know about at the heart of the iPlayer experience. The BBC iPlayer mobile and tablet apps let you to take this experience with you wherever you go, with downloads enabling offline viewing - now with the added benefit of subtitles.”
BBC iPlayer favourites including Favourites, Downloads and Search remain unchanged for now, but the apps will be updated at regular intervals with new features like Live Rewind and continuous play being added in time. New functionality will also be added to make BBC iPlayer a more personal experience, with cross-platform playback and tailored recommendations planned.
