BBC reveals new iPlayer with responsive design at its core

11 Mar 2014

The BBC has released a new, revamped BBC iPlayer that features a new responsive design for multiple devices. The iPlayer is now available on more than 1,000 devices across four screens – mobile, tablet, computer and TV.

Since the BBC launched its iPlayer on Christmas Day 2007, the app has been downloaded over 28m times and in January 2014 there were 315m requests – averaging over 10m requests a day. 

Over 10bn programmes have been requested in the six years since launch, with over 3bn of these coming in 2013 alone.

In the coming months, the BBC iPlayer mobile and tablets apps will be updated with the new look and feel.

TV has evolved

Redesigned from the ground up, the new version of BBC iPlayer brings together a new look and feel with core functionality that is built for the future. 

It makes finding content simpler, discovering new content easier and allows more options for the curation of content. Playback is richer and the viewing experience is tailored to the device being used by the viewer.

Features include a new optimised, responsive design; more advanced recommendations; predictive search; collections of programmes curates around events and themes; image-led navigation; and a new-look favourites section.

“This is an exciting day for us,” said BBC director general Tony Hall. “BBC iPlayer is really popular, and new iPlayer will be even better.  

“You’ll be able to find so many more programmes you might like – and I hope everyone enjoys the new design.  It’s just a first step to re-inventing BBC iPlayer, the best online television service in the world.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com