Making Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer the best place to watch Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV
Dan Taylor-Watt
Director, Product & Systems, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Design & Engineering
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer team are on a mission: to develop the best place to discover and watch Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV for the benefit of UK licence fee payers. Here Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer, Dan Taylor-Watt, talks through some of the latest developments.
The number one priority for the team developing Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer is quality of experience; ensuring users get the best possible experience on the 10,000+ different devices iPlayer is now available on, including over 2,500 different connected TV devices, which this year became the most popular way of accessing Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer, accounting for more programme requests than computers, tablets and smartphones combined.
Ultra HD
One important aspect of that experience is picture quality and, following our move to on computers and connected TV devices last year and , I’m delighted that we will shortly be releasing the stunning in its entirety in the best quality ever shown on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. The full seven part series will be available on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer in Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) on compatible TVs after the final episode airs on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One on Sunday 10th December. You can read more about Blue Planet II in UHD on the and .
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p05q4m15.jpg)
The whole of Blue Planet II will be made available in Ultra HD on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer
Live Restart from broadcast
One of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer’s most valued features is the ability to jump back to watch the start of a programme whilst it’s still being broadcast, meaning you’re never late for a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ programme again. We originally developed the feature for computers but have since rolled it out for mobiles, tablets and connected TV devices and it’s now used by over a million browsers every week. We want to make it as simple as possible to access Live Restart and have been working with TV platform providers to integrate links to Live Restart into their interfaces. First out of the blocks was and we are working with other partners to provide easy access to this feature. We're also preparing to roll out one-button-access to Live Restart on capable, connected devices via on-screen triggers from our broadcast channels. Watch this space.
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p05q4m34.jpg)
Never miss the start of a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ programme again with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer’s Live Restart feature
Boxsets
When Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer first launched in 2007 it offered 7 days in which to catch up on programmes after they were broadcast on TV. Fast-forward to 2017 and there are over 6,500 episodes to enjoy at any given moment, including a growing number of boxsets, both brand new series like Snowfall, Motherland and Josh and gems from the archive like Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends and Killing For Love. This Christmas, will be made available to watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer. To make it easier to discover this wealth of programming we’re updating the iPlayer Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ screen to make it easier to browse. We’re also developing autoplay, which automatically cues up another episode when the credits start rolling (with the option to cancel/turn off).
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p05q4mvw.jpg)
The updated iPlayer Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ screen will make it easier to browse, particularly on TV devices
Sign-in on TV
With so many programmes to choose from, it’s not always easy to keep track of the series you’re watching or to decide on what to watch next. Users of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer on computers, mobiles and tablets have been able to sign-in for a number of years now to resume part-watched series and episodes, add programmes to watch later and enjoy more relevant recommendations. This year we’ve been rolling that functionality out to connected TV devices. We’ve made it simple to sign-in on your TV – no need to input a lengthy email address or password using a remote control – just sign-in on a computer, tablet or smartphone and input the 8-character code shown on the TV screen. We’re also rolling out simple account switching, so multiple household members can all be signed-in on the same TV and easily toggle between their different accounts.
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320xn/p05q4n1q.jpg)
Easy account switching on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer on connected TV
Device support
We put a lot of work into ensuring Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer continues to work on older devices. Unfortunately, it is not always technically possible or economically viable to continue to support a device, especially when the manufacturer has discontinued support. In these circumstances then we aim to provide owners of those devices with as much advanced notice as possible and guidance as to how they can continue to enjoy Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer without needing to buy a new TV set.
That’s all for now. Comments welcome although individual technical queries are best directed to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer Support (if you haven’t been able to find an answer to your question on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer Help site).