BBC iPlayer is a free service that lets you catch up with programmes from the past seven days that you may have missed or want to watch again.
There are two ways to use this service. You can play a programme and watch it online with ‘Click to play’, or you can download the programme, store it on your computer for up to 30 days and watch it offline.
Please note that BBC TV programmes and live TV streams are only available to users in the UK at present, though most radio programmes are available outside the UK.
The BBC iPlayer Desktop, allows you to download and enjoy your favourite BBC programmes without being connected to the Internet (once you have downloaded programmes).
Go to the BBC iPlayer install page, click the install button and follow the on screen prompts. The programme you have chosen to download will begin downloading automatically once the installation of the BBC iPlayer Desktop completes.
Downloading from BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK (UK ip address required).
Visit the BBC iPlayer Website
BBC TV Streams
The BBC streams BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC Alba, CBBC, and CBeebies, through the iPlayer.
Quality is quite good, though if you view in full screen, the quality will suffer.
You could also connect your computer directly to you TV and watch the live channels, again picture quality is watchable, though nowhere near as good as transmissions from digital terrestrial or satellite.
All BBC live streams on iPlayer use Digital Onscreen Graphics (DOGs).
At present, most of the BBC’s television channels are streamed at a bitrate of 500 kbps, using the VP6 video codec, audio is streamed at 128 kbps MP3.
BBC One streams at a bitrate of 800 kbps, using the H.264 codec, the channels audio is 96 kbps AAC+ (same quality as 192 kbps MP2).
H.264 is a high-performance video compression technology. Compared to On2 VP6 AK 3.5, H.264 delivers sharper video quality at a lower bitrate, though it requires more CPU power to decode, particularly on older machines, and the user needs to have the latest version of Flash installed.
NOTE: All live BBC TV streams are restricted to UK only IP addresses (Geoblocked).
VOD (Video On Demand)
High Definition
By default, video settings are set to High Definition (HD) on computers and connected TVs which support Adaptive Bitrate, the basic default HD setting is dependent on how much bandwidth a user has available. Devices which do not support Adaptive Bitrate can opt-in to an HD stream, subject to bandwidth, via an HD button.
For HD programmes, the BBC use H.264 with encoding an average bitrate of 3.2Mbps and 192kbps audio.
HD programmes use about 1.5 gigabytes per hour of video.
Standard Definition
Highest quality Standard Definition video is streamed at 1500 Kbp/s, the default video quality for SD on BBC iPlayer is 800Kbps H.264 even in the smaller video playback window size.
BBC Radio Streams
All of the BBC’s national, local and regional stations along with the BBC World Service are available to listen to live on the internet (rights permitting), with appropriate media player software.
It is also possible to listen to BBC Radio services via the internet without having to log on to a computer. The easiest way to do this is via Wi-Fi or Internet Radio. These radios pick up radio stations streamed on the internet via an Internet connection to the radio.
There are no UK only IP restrictions on BBC radio, though some sporting coverage is blocked and overseas listeners will receive.
Visit the BBC Radio Website for information on reception and programming.
Radio Bitrates on BBC iPlayer
Since 2015, all of BBC Radio’s online content has been produced by the Audio Factory platform that provides the same quality and device support for all BBC radio stations.
Website www.audiofactory.co.uk
Audio Factory encodes BBC Radio content using the following codecs and bitrates:
- AAC-LC 320kbs Stereo
- AAC-LC 128kbs Stereo
- HE-AACv1 96kbs Stereo
- HE-AACv1 48kbs Stereo
- MP3 128kbs Stereo
HTTP streams are available in both UK (320 kbp/s HLS AAC) and international variants (96 kbp/s HLS AAC), which allows those in the UK to continue to enjoy BBC Sports coverage.
HLS
HLS – HTTP Live Streaming and is a protocol developed by Apple for their iOS devices and QuickTime player. Support was added to Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) which has made HLS the ideal candidate for streaming to the widest range of mobile devices.
HDS
HDS – HTTP Dynamic Streaming was developed by Adobe as an alternative to their RTMP protocol. HDS allows for adaptive streaming over HTTP to any device that’s compatible with Adobe Flash or Air.
| Station |
UK Bitrate
|
Overseas Bitrate
|
Audio
|
Description |
| BBC Radio 1 |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Youth orientated Popular music and speech. |
| BBC Radio 2 |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Adult-oriented Pop Music |
| BBC Radio 3 |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Classic Music |
| BBC Radio 4 |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
News & Speech |
| BBC Radio 5 Live |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Mono
|
Live news and sport (some UK only ip restrictions apply) |
| BBC Radio 5 Live Sp Extra |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Mono
|
Live news and sport (some UK only ip restrictions apply) |
| BBC 6 Music |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Classic rock Alternative rock Funk Indie Jazz Hip Hop |
| BBC Radio 4 Extra |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Mono
|
Comedy, Drama, and Chat |
| BBC 1Xtra |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
New Black / urban music |
| BBC Asian Network |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Mono
|
South Asian orientated |
| BBC World Service |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Mono
|
English language version of the BBC World Service |
| BBC Radio Scotland |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
National radio for Scotland. |
| BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Scottish Gaelic language station. |
| BBC Radio Wales |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
National radio for Wales. |
| BBC Radio Cymru |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Welsh language service. |
| BBC Radio Ulster |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
National radio for Northern Ireland. |
| BBC Radio Foyle |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
Local radio station, serving the North West of Northern Ireland. |
| BBC Radio Guernsey |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
BBC local radio for Guernsey. |
| BBC Radio Jersey |
320 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
96 kbp/s HLS AAC
|
Joint Stereo
|
BBC local radio for Jersey. |
| For local radio, see BBC Local Radio (320 kbp/s HLS AAC for all local & regional BBC stations in the UK & 96 kbp/s HLS AAC overseas. | ||||
How to watch BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is available on connected TVs, games consoles, set-top boxes, streamers and platforms including Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media, and YouView.
You can access BBC iPlayer in one of the following ways, depending on the device:
Launch the app
Use your device’s on-screen menu and episode guide
Press the red button on your remote from a BBC channel
Check the manufacturers list at the bottom of the page to see if your connected TV or device is supported.
How do I use BBC iPlayer on my device?
Freesat
BBC iPlayer is available on compatible Freesat devices listed below.
If you have a Freesat with Freetime box, BBC iPlayer can be accessed by launching into the On Demand section from the Home menu. Your Freesat device will need to be connected to the internet to access BBC iPlayer.
Freeview Play
If you’re using Freeview Play to watch BBC iPlayer then you need to make sure your TV is connected to an aerial before you launch the BBC iPlayer app. For more information on Freeview Play visit their website.
Sky
Sky customers with a compatible Sky+ box can access BBC iPlayer from Sky’s On Demand section. To find BBC iPlayer, select the TV Guide Button on your Sky remote control, navigate to the On Demand section and select Catch Up. Choose BBC iPlayer from the menu.
Virgin Media TiVo
Virgin Media TiVo users can find BBC iPlayer either via the connected red button or the Apps and Games directory. Within Virgin TiVo, you can also access BBC iPlayer by going left in the EPG and selecting content that is marked available for catch-up.
YouView
BBC iPlayer is available on YouView, either through a YouView box or compatible YouView enabled 2015 Sony TV. You can use BBC iPlayer on YouView by either selecting BBC iPlayer from the ‘Players’ section, watching a BBC programme from the last seven days via the YouView electronic programme guide, or watching a BBC programme from the last seven days via the YouView On Demand area. In order to access BBC iPlayer, YouView devices need to be connected to the internet.
Smart TVs and internet connected devices
There are several different versions of BBC iPlayer which manufacturers use in their devices. Between these versions, due to technical limitations, there can be some variations in features (subtitles, HD etc.). Each device will need to be connected to the internet to use BBC iPlayer.
Mobile Phones & Tablets
A BBC iPlayer app is available for Android, Apple iOS, Window 8 and BlackBerry.
BBC iPlayer is available on supported mobile devices and is a UK only service. You can play programmes via a Wi-Fi or 3G connection, depending on your phone and network.
For more information see: BBC iPlayer Help – Mobile & Tablet
BBC iPlayer is a free service, but mobile network operators may charge for data used over their networks. Data allowances and mobile network tariffs are the responsibility of the mobile network operators.
If you are unsure how much data costs or what your data allowance is, then contact your mobile network operator.
Certain programmes, including some sporting events and films, may not be available on the mobile version of BBC iPlayer because of rights agreements, even if they are available on the PC version.
BBC iPlayer – TV Licence
The law has changed: From 1 September 2016 you now need a TV Licence to watch or download BBC programmes on demand, as well as live on BBC iPlayer.
The rules only apply to iPlayer, so you do not need a TV licence if you only ever watch on-demand or catch-up programmes through other service providers – as long as you do not use BBC iPlayer.
So how does the BBC prevent non-licence viewing from occurring? Well, there is no high tech software involved, they simply ask Got a TV Licence? Followed by two options:
I have a TV Licence. Watch now.
I don’t have a TV Licence.
Watching live:
That means watching or recording at the same time (or virtually the same time) as they’re being broadcast, or distributed to the public in any other way. In BBC iPlayer, you do this using the Watch Live (simulcast) option. Anyone in the UK watching or recording television as it’s being broadcast or simulcast on any device – including mobiles, laptops and PCs – must, by law, be covered by a valid TV licence.
As a general rule, if you’re watching a programme on a computer or other device at the same time as it’s being shown on TV, then the programme is “live” so you need a TV licence. If you use the live rewind function to restart a live programme or rewind a live stream for up to 2 hours, you also need a TV licence. This is because you’re still accessing the live simulcasts.
Watching On-Demand:
Any programme you download or watch that is not being shown as live TV, including catch-up TV is On-Demand. These programmes can be accessed on the BBC iPlayer website or through an app on a smart TV, digital box or any other device. On demand also includes exclusive programmes that are only available online. You must also be covered by a valid TV licence if watching programmes this way.
What will happen if I don’t have a TV licence?
It is a criminal offence to watch live or on-demand television without a TV licence. It’s also a criminal offence to possess or control a device which you know or reasonably believe will be used to watch live or on-demand TV without a TV licence. You could be prosecuted and fined up to £1000 (plus legal costs) for these offences.
