BBC has announced a shocking change to its iPlayer service, sparking fury among the viewers.
The media giant is phasing out its iPlayer Downloads app for PCs and Macs in weeks – and users will no longer be able to view their favourite programs without an internet connection.
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BBC iPlayer’s download feature has served as a lifeline for daily tube commuters and passengers on flights who want to watch their favourite programmes without an internet connection.
But the company has now announced it will scrap the dedicated Player app for downloading shows.
On mobile phones, the download features are already packed into the BBC iPlayer app – but on desktop computers, where people watch iPlayer via its website, a separate app is required to download shows.
However, with the increasing number of people switching to phones and tablets for consuming media, the BBC has decided to shut down the downloads app, it is understood.
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And has now begun the process of discontinuing the app from PC and Mac.
While existing users who have the app installed can enjoy the feature for now, new users are unable to download and install the BBC iPlayer’s download app.
Timeline of the change
February 2, 2024 – BBC iPlayer shut down the download feature for new users.
March 11, 2024 – BBC iPlayer will shut down the download feature for existing users and the app will cease to exist across the web.
April 8, 2024 – Existing downloads after this day will no longer be watchable and the BBC iPlayer Downloads app will be officially closed.
BBC iPlayer’s users are now slamming the company for the shock move, saying it is an “appalling decision”.
One such viewer said: “I DO NOT want to peer at a tiny mobile screen with poor sound quality to watch a film/drama/wildlife program, etc, originally produced in HD.
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“Which BBC idiot or incompetent committee came up with this decision? With this withdrawal of features in mind I will definitely support any move to refuse an increase in the BBC’s licence fee.”
Another wrote: “What sort of people do the BBC employ to come up with this idiocy?
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“Have they actually tried watching programmes on a telephone screen or considered those of us who do not even have smartphones or tablets?
“Also, an increasing number of people (like myself) view solely on a PC or laptop. Those people will now be excluded from the BBC TV audience.”
A third described it as a discriminatory move saying: “Why are tablet and phone users offered a superior service?
“I don’t have an iPad and I don’t want to watch on my phone so now I’m going to be one of 10’s of thousands of people who’ll stop downloading content to watch at my convenience.”
The current BBC iPlayer Downloads App was released way back in 2013 allowing people to download programmes for offline viewings on desktop/laptop computers – both PCs and Macs.
While the app’s shutdown may seem like the end of an era, it does not axe offline viewing on mobile phones and tablets.
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BBC has emphasized that users can continue to download their favourite programmes using the iPlayer app on mobile phones and tablets.
All you would need to do is tap the download button underneath the description of thr episode and you will be good to go.
