Recent changes to iPlayer

Notice something different?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:46:29 +0000

Notice something different?

From time to time you may notice small changes to ��ý iPlayer. This is because we’re always trying to improve by trying out new things. So we often tweak things to make it easier to find the programmes and information you’re looking for.

Testing, testing…

Sometimes the only way to tell if a change will work is to test it with real people. To do this, we randomly select one group of people who will see the change, while everyone else continues seeing the site or app as it is. We then look at what difference the change has made in terms of how many programmes people have watched, which links they clicked and so on.

If the test goes really well, we’ll make the change to the whole site or app. If not, we’ll stick with the existing version.

Always listening

We have a pop-up survey running continuously on the ��ý iPlayer website. It asks what people think of the service and how it could be improved. We also regularly run other types of research like interviews and user tests.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on the mobile/tablet app?

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 13:00:02 +0000

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on the mobile/tablet app?

We have recently updated the playback experience on the ��ý iPlayer mobile and tablet app. When playing back programmes, you'll now see:

A larger and centralised play/pause button
10 second skip forwards/backwards buttons
New Autoplay buttons

You can access subtitles as well as audio description and signed content (where available) using the speech bubble icon on the top right of the playback page.

Autoplay can be toggled on and off using the Settings cog on the top right of the playback screen.

When you finish an episode, our Onward Journeys menu will give you the option to continue watching or to move to the next episode.

Anonymous (not verified) 09 October 2019

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on TV?

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:05:02 +0000

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on TV?

We have recently made some changes to the playback screen on the ��ý iPlayer TV app. The playback controls have been simplified and we have more options for subtitles.

How do I play and navigate through a programme?

When you select a programme to play, you'll notice a simple playback bar on screen showing how far through the programme you are. You can use the enter/select or pause button on your remote to pause the programme. The same enter/select button, or the play button will resume.

To Fast Forward or Rewind, use either the FF or RW buttons on your remote, or use the arrows/direction buttons to move the playback bar back and forward. Navigating through the programme will bring up visual stills, so you can easily see when to press play again.

How can I use subtitles or select accessible versions of the programme?

Our accessibility options can be found using the speech bubble icon on the top left of the screen. You can reach it using the arrow/direction button on your remote and using the enter/select button to select.

In the accessibility menu, you can choose to switch on subtitles, and you can also choose the size of the subtitles. Once selected, we'll remember your choices. You can switch off subtitles in the same way.

You can also choose to watch the Signed or Audio Described version of the episode you're watching, if available.

How can I find more episodes of a programme or add a programme?

Using the 'More episodes' icon (stacked squares with a play/triangle on top) on the top left will bring you to all available episodes of the programme you're watching. You'll also see a '+' icon on the top left to add the programme to your Watchlist.

You can read more about the recent changes on the ��ý Blog: New look subtitles and playback for ��ý iPlayer on TV.

Anonymous (not verified) 09 April 2021

How do I access full screen on iPhone or iPad?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2021 15:55:02 +0000

How do I access full screen on iPhone or iPad?

To view programmes in full screen, simply use the 'pinch and zoom' screen gesture.

This will allow you to adjust the view between an aspect fit and an aspect fill.

For further information on iPhone and iPad touchscreen gestures visit the Apple support site.

Anonymous (not verified) 17 May 2021

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on the website?

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 09:25:02 +0000

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on the website?

We have recently made some changes to the playback screen on the ��ý iPlayer website. The playback controls and onward journeys have been simplified and modernised.

When watching programmes, you'll now see:

A larger and centralised play/pause button
20 second skip forwards/backwards buttons
Playback speed options
New onward journey buttons at the end of a programme or episode
Control the player with keyboard shortcuts

Trailers can be skipped using the pink 'Skip trailer' button on the bottom right of the playback area. The trailer can be skipped back or forwards 5 seconds using the icons at either side of the play button, or the playback bar can be used to navigate through the trailer.

Programme intros and episode recaps can also be skipped.

Programme playback can be skipped back or forwards 20 seconds using the icons on either side of the play button.

Subtitle options can be found by clicking the speech bubble icon on the playback screen. Subtitles can be switched on and off, and the size of the text can be adjusted.

The playback speed of a programme can be adjusted using the '1x' button.

Autoplay can be toggled on and off using the Settings cog on the playback screen. The video quality can also be adjusted here.

When you finish an episode, our Onward Journeys menu will give you the option to continue watching or to move to the next episode.

At the end of a series or programme, you'll see three recommendations, with your programme still showing on the top left. The main recommendation will be in full screen and will play after the countdown shown in the pink box on the bottom left. To start the programme right away, click the pink button. To watch any of the other two recommendations, just select them. To go back to the programme you were watching, simply click the mini player on the top left.

To learn more about recommendations, have a look at the following page: What are recommendations?

If you're watching on a small or zoomed screen, you'll now see larger player controls displayed in the middle of the screen. To make them visible, we display the controls against a darkened background. On smaller screens, volume, subtitles and playback settings can all be found on the top right.

Keyboard shortcuts

You can control new versions of our media player using your keyboard.

You can start using keyboard shortcuts as soon as you play something. Before then, only the ‘play’ and ‘full screen’ keyboard shortcuts work. The shortcuts are:

Play

Space bar (when focus is on the player or seek bar)
k
'Play' media key

Pause or stop

Space bar (when focus is on the player or seek bar)
k
'Pause' or 'Stop' media key

Subtitles on or off

Rewind

j
Left arrow

Fast forward

l (that's a lower case letter 'L')
Right arrow

Mute or unmute

Full screen

Exit full screen

Anonymous (not verified) 30 March 2022

Why am I seeing a message ‘Please update your browser’ when I try to play ��ý video?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:15:02 +0000

Why am I seeing a message ‘Please update your browser’ when I try to play ��ý video?

We’ve recently released a new player for iPlayer on the Web platform, which all our products are moving to. The new player optimises for different screen sizes and uses the latest standards and technologies for web products.

Your device is using the legacy player if you see either of these messages:

Please update your browser
This is ��ý iPlayer’s basic version

Do I have to update my browser to continue watching programmes on iPlayer?

No, you will still be able to watch all programmes on iPlayer with the legacy player. However the legacy player does not have the full functionality of the new player.

How is the legacy player different from the new player?

From the end of July 2023 there will be reduced functionality in the legacy player including the removal of auto-play, no recommendations at the end of playback and the removal of specific buttons to restart live content and skip trailers.

What do I need to do to get the new ��ý player?

1. Find out your device's operating system and browser.

What you need to do depends on the operating system on your device. (The operating system controls the device's hardware and software).
Find this out by checking whatsmyos.com through your device's internet browser (read our external links policy).
You can find the version of your browser by selecting ‘help → about’ in your browser.

2. Based on your operating system and browser, follow these instructions:

Operating system	Instructions
iOS pre 15.4	If your phone or tablet has an iOS version pre 15.4, you will need to upgrade your operating system to at least 15.4 (following the vendor's guidance).
Apple Mac pre-10.15	If your device has an operating system pre 10.15, you will need to upgrade your operating system to at least 10.15 (following the vendor's guidance).
Google Chrome	If your device has a browser with a pre version 86, you will need to upgrade to at least version 86 to get the new player (following the browser vendor's guidance).
Microsoft Edge	If your device has a browser with a pre version 86, you will need to upgrade to at least version 86 to get the new player (following the browser vendor's guidance).
Mozilla Firefox	If your device has a browser with a pre version 85, you will need to upgrade to at least version 85 to get the new player (following the browser vendor's guidance).
Safari	If your device has a browser with a pre version 15.4, you will need to upgrade to at least version 15.4 to get the new player (following the browser vendor's guidance).

Anonymous (not verified) 10 August 2023

Why have you closed the ��ý iPlayer Kids app?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:35:02 +0000

Why have you closed the ��ý iPlayer Kids app?

As part of the ��ý’s wider efforts to modernise the user experience across our digital services and apps, we've made the decision to close the ��ý iPlayer Kids app, replacing it with Child Profiles on ��ý iPlayer.

Switching to Child Profiles will give kids a more consistent and streamlined service across our website and apps, so that no matter how your child is watching, they will be able to access their favourite programmes on their own ��ý profile.

Improving on the Kids app experience, children can now add their favourite programmes so they can access them quickly and easily, and they can continue a show from where they left off across all devices. Of course, they will still be able to download their favourite shows on the app and from the website to watch offline.

To find out more about the Children's Experience on ��ý iPlayer, check our page: What is the child experience on iPlayer?

For help with creating a Child Profile, have a look here: How do I create a child profile on ��ý iPlayer?

We hope that our youngest viewers will enjoy this new experience and benefit from the content and features now available to them.

Anonymous (not verified) 06 October 2023

Why can I no longer access ��ý iPlayer Downloads?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:10:02 +0000

Why can I no longer access ��ý iPlayer Downloads?

We have made the difficult decision to close the ��ý iPlayer Downloads application for PC and Mac, due to the low number of people using it and the cost required to keep it going. This does not affect downloads on the ��ý iPlayer mobile or tablet apps, and viewers can continue to stream programmes on ��ý iPlayer on their PCs and Macs.

Can I still watch programmes on my computer?

All of our live and on-demand programmes can be streamed on your computer by heading to the website: bbc.co.uk/iplayer. Once you've found the programme you want to watch, just press the play button.

How can I still watch programmes offline?

You can still download your favourite programmes using the iPlayer mobile/tablet app. For more information, have a look here: How can I watch programmes when I'm offline?

When will the app close?

From Friday 2 February, new users were unable to download and install the ��ý iPlayer Downloads app
From Monday 11 March, users were no longer able to download programmes from the web. Users could still watch existing downloads until Monday 8 April.
On Monday 8 April, the ��ý iPlayer Downloads app closed.

How do I uninstall ��ý iPlayer Downloads on a computer?

Using a Mac? Have a look here: How do I uninstall ��ý iPlayer Downloads on a Mac?

Using a PC? Check here: How do I uninstall ��ý iPlayer Downloads on a PC?

Anonymous (not verified) 07 February 2024

Can I connect my iOS device to my TV via HDMI?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 May 2024 10:50:02 +0000

Can I connect my iOS device to my TV via HDMI?

We know that some users would like to connect their iPhone or iPad to their TV via HDMI in order to watch iPlayer programmes on a bigger screen.

While this may work for some, watching downloaded programmes or streams in this way isn't officially supported and so we can offer no guarantees or support if there are issues when watching via HDMI.

Anonymous (not verified) 07 May 2024

Recent changes to iPlayer

Notice something different?

Testing, testing…

Always listening

What are the new playback controls for ����ý iPlayer on the mobile/tablet app?

What are the new playback controls for ����ý iPlayer on TV?

How do I play and navigate through a programme?

How can I use subtitles or select accessible versions of the programme?

How can I find more episodes of a programme or add a programme?

How do I access full screen on iPhone or iPad?

What are the new playback controls for ����ý iPlayer on the website?

Keyboard shortcuts

Why am I seeing a message ‘Please update your browser’ when I try to play ����ý video?

Do I have to update my browser to continue watching programmes on iPlayer?

How is the legacy player different from the new player?

What do I need to do to get the new ����ý player?

Why have you closed the ����ý iPlayer Kids app?

Why can I no longer access ����ý iPlayer Downloads?

Can I still watch programmes on my computer?

How can I still watch programmes offline?

When will the app close?

How do I uninstall ����ý iPlayer Downloads on a computer?

Can I connect my iOS device to my TV via HDMI?

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on the mobile/tablet app?

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on TV?

What are the new playback controls for ��ý iPlayer on the website?

Why am I seeing a message ‘Please update your browser’ when I try to play ��ý video?

What do I need to do to get the new ��ý player?

Why have you closed the ��ý iPlayer Kids app?

Why can I no longer access ��ý iPlayer Downloads?

How do I uninstall ��ý iPlayer Downloads on a computer?