BBC iPlayer demand surges

The BBC has said that 3.5 million programmes have been downloaded since its iPlayer service was officially launched on Christmas Day.

The iPlayer is a video-on-demand service from the BBC that lets surfers download and stream programming from the last seven days for free.

The most frequently streamed programmes were the Doctor Who Christmas Special, Extras Christmas Special, Top Gear, The Catherine Tate Christmas Show and the Christmas Day edition of EastEnders.

Ashley Highfield, Director of BBC Future Media and Technology said that the iPlayer could begin a fundamental change in the way content is consumed.

"Typically, people who use the BBC iPlayer are spending nearly half an hour a day watching streams of their favourite programmes, suggesting that it looks set to revolutionise the way BBC television programmes are viewed in the UK," said Highfield.

He also said that many audience members were now able to see programmes that they wouldn't normally watch.

"It is also encouraging to see that nearly half of all programmes streamed or downloaded are placed outside the top 50, demonstrating how on-demand services can bring niche programming to a wider audience," Highfield said.

The iPlayer was dogged by controversy last year when the BBC first opened it up to Windows users, though recent moves to make it compatible with other operating systems seem to have appeased complainers.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

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