BBC iPlayer Review

WHAT IS IT?

The BBC’s iPlayer service – now compatible with everything from smartphones and tablets to computers, games consoles, TVs and Blu-ray players – offers a week’s worth of BBC TV and radio shows to catch up on, plus live broadcast streams. You can even enjoy it on the move, via 3G or wi-fi connection

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

Unless you’ve just crawled out from under a rock, it would be hard not to have heard of BBC iPlayer, the service that lets you browse and enjoy the past week of TV and radio shows from our national broadcaster, plus live streams.

It’s one of the most popular sources of entertainment in the UK, and now you can enjoy it on your mobile, too.

Launch the app and you’re presented with the familiar BBC iPlayer interface, which highlights popular shows alongside search and live-stream options. Select what you’re in the mood for and you’re away, as fast as your 3G or wi-fi connection will carry you.

You don’t need mega-fast connection speeds to enjoy TV on your phone, but – as with any streaming app – you will need a generous data package and/or free wi-fi if you’re planning to use the BBC iPlayer app regularly.

Despite such excellence on offer, we do have a few minor grumbles. Firstly, the Symbian app here (and its Blackberry counterpart) are essentially little more than web shortcuts to the online version of BBC iPlayer; the Android and Apple versions are slicker and more sophisticated.

Secondly – and this is true of every UK app iteration – you can’t tune into BBC iPlayer if you take your mobile device abroad. This is due to licensing issues; the BBC does have some overseas editions of its app where you can pay-to-play, should you find yourself away from the UK for any length of time.

But we shouldn’t whinge. This app gives you free, easy access to hours of top TV and radio: it’s an entertainment essential.

OUR VERDICT

Catch up with your favourite BBC TV and radio shows on the move, plus watch and listen to live channels.