The BBC is launching a Christmas bid to keep viewers away from on demand services such as Netflix.
Its to include a collection of recent and classic shows as box-sets on the BBC iPlayer that includes drama, comedy and documentary.
“There is no need to go anywhere else this Christmas because we have an even richer offer across the BBC than ever before,” says Charlotte Moore, Director of Content at the BBC. “We are always home to the very best British programmes during the festive season but with so much content to fit in, it’s fantastic to give audiences a special gift on iPlayer to complement our schedules; with boxsets of some of this year’s biggest shows and a selection of more recent hits to binge on with family and friends together this Christmas.”
The iPlayer already includes a regular Archive section, but at a time when landmark shows can double their audiences on catch-up, this represents a significant move.
A number of series can also be found on Netflix and Amazon video.
Shows being added from December 16 include the first three series of Peaky Blinders (pictured), which is currently being screened on BBC Two, Taboo, Wolf Hall, and both series of Sally Wainwright’s Bafta-winning Happy Valley.
There is also the full original series of The Blue Planet, first broadcast in 2001. Other landmark series being made available for Christmas will include 2006’s Planet Earth and last year’s Planet Earth II, as well as 2011’s Frozen Planet.
In comedy viewers will be able to laugh along to Miranda, Gavin & Stacey, Bad Education, Josh, Murder In Successville and Him & Her.
There are also classic episodes of the popular soap EastEnders and as a new actor takes on the toll, every Doctor Who regeneration since 2005.
