BBC iPlayer delivers cracking figures

The BBC iPlayer closed 2008 with another set of record figures. The month of December saw 41 million requests to view BBC programmes via the catch-up TV service, representing the biggest month since launch in December 2007.

Programmes including the new Wallace and Gromit short A Matter of Loaf and Death contributed to 8 million requests during the seven-day period from Christmas Day to December 31.

“This confirms that 2008 was the year of the BBC iPlayer,” said Erik Huggers, Director, BBC Future Media & Technology. “The service evolved dramatically throughout its first 12 months – we’ve just introduced downloading for Mac and Linux users, and a special version of BBC iPlayer for CBBC – and the innovation will continue in 2009.”

BBC iPlayer Top 20 programmes: December 24 to December 31, 2008
1 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death
2 Doctor Who Series 4: The Next Doctor
3 Top Gear Series 12: Episode 8 (Vietnam)
4 Gavin and Stacey: Christmas Special
5 The Royle Family: The New Sofa
6 EastEnders 26/12/08
7 Outnumbered Series 2: Episode 7
8 EastEnders 25/12/2008 21:00
9 EastEnders 29/12/08
10 EastEnders 25/12/2008 20:00
11 Mock the Week Series 6: Episode 13
12 Have I Got News for You Christmas Special 2008
13 EastEnders 30/12/08
14 Blackadder Rides Again
15 The 39 Steps
16 Top Gear Series 9: Episode 3
17 Never Mind the Buzzcocks Series 18: Episode 4
18 EastEnders 24/12/08
19 Survivors Episode 6
20 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2008