UK viewers will be able to watch BBC content on their mobile devices whilst abroad. An update to the BBC iPlayer on Apple’s iOS devices, the iPhone and the iPad, means that viewers will be able to download programmes before they leave home and continue to watch them should they then leave the country.
The update, introduced today (Tuesday), will later be added to Android devices.
Previously smartphones and tablets have only been capable of streaming, though downloads have always been possible on PCs, since the iPlayers inception five years ago.
Daniel Danker, general manager, programmes and on-demand for the BBC said: “With mobile downloads for BBC iPlayer, you can now load up your mobile phone or tablet with hours and hours of BBC television programmes, then watch them on the road, on the tube, on a plane, without worrying about having an internet connection or running up a mobile data bill. Viewers have up to 30 days to begin watching a downloaded programme, so you can even fill up your device and take the BBC with you on holiday.”
Programmes will be available to download for a period of seven days and to watch within a 30-day period.