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New look to playback and subtitles for BBC iPlayer

April 8, 2021 13.03 Europe/London By Julian Clover

The BBC is bringing in a refresh for BBC iPlayer on TVs.

The new cleaner interface also includes changes as to how things appear during playback and new improved subtitles that can be controlled by the viewer.

Key to the new design is the simplified playback bar along the bottom of the screen.

Out goes the play/pause button with the relevant icons now briefly displayed in the centre of the screen when pausing and resuming. They appear whilst rewinding and fast forwarding.

All the extra controls for more episodes, subtitles and settings and the button to add a programme to your list to watch later have all been moved to the top left of the screen.

The size of subtitles has been reduced to the smaller size used on broadcast programmes, though it is now possible to change and control the size of the subtitles.

The subtitles now use the BBC Reith Sans typeface, with a black background behind the text, and the correct colours to show who is talking. They’re also automatically positioned to avoid any on-screen graphics.

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Filed Under: Newsline Edited: 8 April 2021 13:03

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About Julian Clover

Julian Clover is a Media and Technology journalist based in Cambridge, UK. He works in online and printed media. Julian is also a voice on local radio. You can talk to Julian on X @julianclover, or by email at jclover@broadbandtvnews.com.

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