BBC iPlayer
The facts below are what the maker publishes about BBC iPlayer, checked and dated. Our editors have not written about it yet.
Plans and prices
From BBC iPlayer's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| BBC iPlayer | Free | UK only · TV Licence required to watch or download BBC programmes |
The facts
Each one read from BBC iPlayer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accessibility
- Subtitles are available for live TV and on-demand programmes, including downloads, on the iPlayer TV app, mobile app and website.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Audio description
- Audio-described programmes are available on iPlayer, though they cannot be downloaded on all versions.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Content expiry
- iPlayer programmes are available only for a limited period and are automatically deleted after that period.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Content security
- The terms prohibit attempts to get around the BBC’s content security technology, which it describes as software that prevents copying content.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Download limits
- Programmes can only be downloaded in the UK and expire when their availability period ends; the help page says there is no download service on PC, Mac or TV devices.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Geographic restriction
- The BBC’s terms say not to stream or download iPlayer TV shows when outside the UK.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Live TV
- You can watch live BBC programmes on iPlayer.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Offline viewing
- The BBC iPlayer app lets users download programmes on compatible phones and tablets for offline viewing.checked 12 Oct 2026
- On-demand TV
- BBC iPlayer provides BBC programmes on demand, subject to each programme’s availability period.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The BBC provides an iPlayer help and FAQ site for using the service and fixing issues.checked 12 Oct 2026
- TV Licence
- A TV Licence is required to watch or download BBC programmes on iPlayer in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.checked 12 Oct 2026
- UK access
- iPlayer is only available in the UK, and access is tied to a valid UK TV licence.checked 12 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker history
- The BBC says the British Broadcasting Company was formed on 18 October 1922 and became the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1927.checked 12 Oct 2026
Alternatives to BBC iPlayer
- 1
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Opencast
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VEED
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MediaZilla
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.4From $21 a month