BBC enhances iPlayer app search and discovery
May 28, 2014
The BBC has rolled out major updates for its iOS and Android BBC iPlayer apps for mobiles and tablets.
The iPlayer 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.
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 […] 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.