Digital TV News

BBC iPlayer gets a Twitter and Facebook facelift

Thursday 27 May, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

You can now recommend and share your favourite TV shows via Twitter and Facebook on the BBC iPlayer.

The BBC has revamped its popular iPlayer service to make it easier for users to find their favourite on-demand TV and radio shows, as well as adding new social networking features to help users interact with one another.

The iPlayer, the on-demand catch-up TV service from the BBC, is currently available online on the BBC website, through the Nintendo Wii, via Virgin Media’s cable TV platform and on Humax Freesat set-top box.

Erik Huggers, the director of future media and technology at the BBC, said: “The launch of this version of the BBC iPlayer is part of our strategy to do fewer things even better and make it more simple, personal and connected.”

A beta version of the redesigned TV service was launched yesterday, which will test the new features, ready for a full launch in July.

The BBC confirmed it also planning a deal with Microsoft, which will allow people using Windows Messenger to log into the instant messaging service while on the BBC iPlayer website, to invite friends to watch programmes at the same time and chat live.

And, later in the year, iPlayer users will be able to watch shows from other broadcasters’ websites as the BBC plans to add data feeds from other catch-up services, including 4oD, Demand Five, ITV Player and SeeSaw, to help users find the exact programme they are looking for.

The service will not feature content from the Sky Player however, as the BBC said that the satellite TV giant failed to respond to an invitation to take part.