What is BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer is a digital streaming service that offers both live and catch-up TV from a variety of BBC channels. This includes but is not limited to BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC News, and Radio 1. It’s similar to streaming services like Netflix, FuboTV, Hulu, etc.
BBC iPlayer is available exclusively to UK residents. However, that does not mean that non-British people or British ex-pats cannot enjoy the services offered by BBC iPlayer outside of the UK. There are different ways to access and watch the streaming service from outside the UK.
BBC iPlayer is available on a variety of different platforms, including Android, iOS, Roku, Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, and more.
Features
Live TV: This app also gives you the ability to watch live television with the added function of pausing and rewinding the shows.
Vast Library: You get to enjoy a huge selection of BBC programming available through this app on a plethora of different devices.
Program Information: You can get information regarding a show’s plot, its duration, and the number of days it will be available on iPlayer.
HD Quality: The iPlayer app plays all the shows in HD automatically, but you can also turn HD off if required. The app’s HD resolution is set at 720p for laptops and smartphones, not Full HD.
Auto-Downloads: This feature comes in handy when you don’t want to miss out on your favorite show. The BBC iPlayer Downloads app will auto-download your favorite shows once you set it up.
How does it work?
BBC iPlayer works similarly as any other popular streaming service out there like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. First of all, you need to make a BBC account that is completely free and gives you access to all of the BBC services, including the iPlayer and Radio services.
Sign in to your account, and you can start streaming right away. There are no fees or payments, so you don’t need to enter your card details at all.
However, most programs on BBC iPlayer have an expiration date, after which you won’t be able to stream or download those episodes, so you need to watch your shows before they expire.
Is BBC iPlayer Free?
Both the BBC iPlayer service and BBC radio programs are completely free for all residents in the UK who’ve paid the TV license fee. However, anyone accessing the service from outside the UK won’t have to pay anything and can use the service for free.
There are no ads on the downloaded programs. The service is funded by the TV license fee, which every UK resident already pays, so if you get the chance, then buy a coffee for your British friend.
How to download BBC iPlayer?
You can either stream directly in your browser on your Windows, Mac, or Linux laptop/desktop computer, or you can download it on your preferred platform through the official app store.
Both iOS and Android platforms have official BBC iPlayer apps available through their respective app stores.
On Android, BBC iPlayer is available on Google Play store for phones, tablets, and Android TV devices, while Amazon App Store also offers the app for download on Firestick and Fire TV devices.
The app is also available on other streaming platforms like Roku, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the commonly asked questions regarding the service.
Can BBC iPlayer be watched abroad?
Yes, you can watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world as long as you have a VPN that changes your location to the UK. You can use any VPN that you like, but we recommend Surfshark VPN as it costs only $1.99/month and unlocks a plethora of different streaming services, including this app.
Can BBC iPlayer detect VPN?
If you’re using a low-quality VPN, then BBC iPlayer will be able to detect it, and you won’t be able to stream anything. So, we recommend that you use a paid VPN as those work flawlessly with the service.
You can use any VPN that you prefer, but we recommend Surfshark as I have personally tried and tested it with a variety of different streaming services.
Can you watch BBC iPlayer without a TV license?
Yes, you can easily watch BBC iPlayer without a TV license as the service has no way of confirming if you have the license or not. Also, non-UK residents have no way of buying the TV license, so the service works perfectly without the license.
What is BBC iPlayer Downloads app?
BBC iPlayer Downloads app is a stand-alone app that gives you the ability to download your favorite shows and episodes from the service to your computer. You can use the Downloads app to auto-download your favorite episodes as well.
If you run into problems or eros when downloading programs from the app, then here’s a guide to fix those download errors.
How long will BBC programs be available to download?
Most of BBC programs will be available for you to download for up to seven days after their original transmission on regular TV.
Can I keep these programs indefinitely on my PC?
Nope. Once you download a program from the website or the app, you have around 30 days to watch it before the file is automatically deleted.
How much data does BBC iPlayer use?
If you’re watching all the shows in HD quality, then you will use a lot of data; however, turning off HD and using SD quality will definitely increase your mileage and give you the ability to watch more episodes on limited data.
An hour-long TV program will use around 225 MB of data on SD quality. SD quality programs are produced at 800kbps, while HD quality programs are produced at 1500kbps.
Stream your favorite BBC shows!
Now that you know how BBC iPlayer works and how you can download it, it’s time to go ahead and try out the service. You can enjoy some of the best shows like Luther, Doctor Who, Top Gear, and more through this amazing service. It’s free, so what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a try.