BBC iPlayer is the BBC’s UK television streaming service. It offers live channels, on-demand programmes and selected mobile downloads. The service separates watching now, saving a title to a list and storing a playable copy on a mobile device.
Choose a route by what you want to watch
The BBC’s Android listing describes live pause, restart and rewind. For a programme still airing, open the channel and check those player controls. For a finished programme, search the title and confirm the series, episode and date on its page.
The same listing describes offline downloads to the device, a watchlist and signed-in continuation between devices. A watchlist gives you a place to find the title again. If you are going offline, use the download option for the specific item and check the copy on the device you will take.
Make the viewing profile match the household
The BBC describes a child profile with programmes from CBBC and CBeebies among its choices. If someone is switching from the household’s general profile to a child’s viewing session, check which profile is selected before choosing a title. For your own viewing, use your usual profile when you need to resume an episode you started elsewhere.
For help with an item, keep the programme and episode name, the device and the action that failed. Live restart, an on-demand stream and a local download refer to different points in the app.
UK licensing and BBC.com identify different routes
TV Licensing says a TV Licence is required to watch or download BBC iPlayer programmes, including on a phone, computer or television. The BBC’s international help identifies iPlayer as a UK offering separate from the BBC.com subscription. Start from the service meant for the programme and territory you are checking.
Sources and review
- BBC iPlayer — British Broadcasting Corporation
- Is BBC iPlayer included in the BBC subscription? — BBC
- You need a TV Licence to watch BBC iPlayer — TV Licensing