The bbc iPlayer app now offers downloads on the iPhone, ipad and 
iPod, users will have 30 days to view the downloaded programmes.
The newly added download option will be welcomed by many users, previously the download option was only available to some Nokia Symbian devices, Windows users and Apple Mac users. Now people will be able to load their mobile device up with programmes before they go out via their WiFi connection, which will save them a bundle. It’s worth pointing out that users will also have the option to download via a 3g connection too.
Daniel Danker who is the general manager of BBC programmes on-demand told the bbc that:
“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,” said Daniel Danker, the general manager of BBC programmes on-demand.
“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.”
The bbc says its move to update it’s app with the same usability as it’s pc app is more about moving beyond the pc into newer platforms such as the mobile device market, due to the ever growing importance of other ways of accessing on-line content. Since the bbc iPlayers 5 year launch on the pc it has been a success, it has in fact seen an impressive year-on-year growth of 142% in numbers since its launch. In July alone the bbc had over 30 million request from tablet users and smart phone users for its iPlayer service. The bbc now hopes by moving fully into other platforms, they will be able to continue it’s pronominal success its has had in recent years.
The bbc has also announced that it is working on a Android version of the iPlayer iOS app, that can offer downloads. The bbc has also announced that it is also on the new Android iPlayer app that will also work without the need to install flash. This move was prompted by adobe stating that it will not be supporting the latest OS from Android called jellybean with their flash player.
