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BBC iPlayer Goes Live on New Apple TV in the UK

Has anyone else noticed that the app showing up without having to download it?
I went to download it but instead of the usual 'Get' it said 'Open', so I checked and the icon was already on my home screen.

Reckon Apple might be pushing it out to eligible (UK based) ATVs
 
MattJD said:
Has anyone else noticed that the app showing up without having to download it?
I went to download it but instead of the usual 'Get' it said 'Open', so I checked and the icon was already on my home screen.

Reckon Apple might be pushing it out to eligible (UK based) ATVs
Click to expand...

Only if you've already downloaded it to your phone or iPad I think.
 
Lepard said:
What if they charged for content for non-uk locations? Today, in US, you have to wait sometimes as long as a year for the latest content from BBC. The really popular shows come quicker, but the other trickle in.

I'd gladly pay the UK TV license to get the UK Content as it's available. Gotta hand it to the Britts for making some fabulous content.
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Well they just added a paid content section on the iOS version today, so I'd imagine it's coming.
 
I've used the BBC iPlayer on my PS3/PS4 in Canada for years with a UK Playstation account. Should be possible with Apple tv I assume.
 
Benjamin Frost said:
Too true.

There's a wealth of content that the BBC hasn't released. It must be one of the largest, richest treasure troves of content in existence, yet it isn't available. I feel that the BBC could make a fortune selling it if they put their mind to it.
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I think what you're looking for is https://store.bbc.com/ - Allows you to buy a shedload of programmes from their back catalogue, many of which have never been released before.

There is a blog post on the BBC ATV app here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/entries/b83f06a2-8552-47d3-b87a-2d883738d666
 
marcb86 said:
I think what you're looking for is https://store.bbc.com/ - Allows you to buy a shedload of programmes from their back catalogue, many of which have never been released before.

There is a blog post on the BBC ATV app here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/entries/b83f06a2-8552-47d3-b87a-2d883738d666
Click to expand...
Rent, not buy. They call it buying, but with DRM, no transferability and the ability to remove paid-for content when the licence expires I call it renting.

Not that it isn't a step in the right direction. :)
 
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ScousePete said:
That shouldn't be a problem, but will I need to constantly switch between the accounts? Or once it is downloaded will it remain when I log back into my US account? I'll try it tonight when I get home.
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Once installed, iPlayer works fine with non UK accounts.
 
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Guys I just have a query. If I am not mistaken theres an app called TV player. They were offering all this BBC channels from week one when they launched apple Tv. its free. they do offer premium channels but in total of 85 channels if i am not mistaken you only need to pay about £ 4.99 per month. Have a look on that option
 
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Crazy Badger said:
How does it compare with the Auntie Player app?
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Had chance to compare now, and whilst the Auntie Player was good, this is better. Ok, it might be missing some of the features found in other versions, but it does the basics very well. Quality is good too, so for v1.0 a few months after launch, I'd say it was a good start.

I'm sure the model for funding the BBC will change dramatically when the charter is renewed and they will need to find new external sources of funding, so I fully expect to see an option to sign up to the iPlayer service for those who choose not to take a license or live outside the UK.
 
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Sakurambo-kun said:
I believe the BBC are finally switching to dynamic switching of streams as bandwidth fluctuates. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the BBC's 480p feed and 720p fees though as they're so over compressed. Watching The Hunt for example is pretty nasty on iPlayer as its just a mess of compression artefacts.

I also noticed that the play/pause button stops working in iPlayer after a while. Quality testing there BBC.
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Disappointing that there are no settings available on the iPlayer app. However, I'm getting a really clear picture on The Hunt via Apple TV. On ITV Hub I can't watch some programmes as the quality is so poor. I'm on normal broadband.
 
Reason077 said:
Also, I have a weird overscan problem with the Apple TV. I've noticed this in other apps, too, but it's particularly noticeable in the BBC app because the first "B" in the BBC logo is partially obscured! What causes this?
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I used to get this with YouView and other services but I'm getting the full logo on iPlayer on the Apple TV.
 
theluggage said:
NB: I think some non-UKians are misunderstanding on how iPlayer works: most programmes are only available on iPlayer for a week or two after they have been broadcast on BBC terrestrial TV. Its not a free, always-on back-catalogue of BBC shows. The BBC supplements the license fee income by selling DVD box sets, licensing material to cable/satellite/internet channels, even in the UK.
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Aren't most programmes now 28/30 days?
 
TheIguana said:
Now if only they got off this region-locking rubbish and offered it outside the UK. As a matter of fact, all content producers should just end their utterly ridiculous need to region control content!
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Not specifically the Apple TV version, but I wish the iPhone/iPad allowed you to be outside of the U.K. For a while - eg up to 14 days to allow you to go on holiday and still catch up with things. as long as it's been on a uk IP address just before going abroad it should be ok.
 
Fantastic news, now all we need is ITV Hub, All 4 and we're golden! I would like to get the Now TV bouquet on the Apple TV as well which with SkyQ coming in 2016 could be possible.
 
Has anyone had any luck with Captions or subtitles? These work quite well on the web-based iPlayer, if I get subtitles to work this is a dream come true.
 
Reason077 said:
Also, I have a weird overscan problem with the Apple TV. I've noticed this in other apps, too, but it's particularly noticeable in the BBC app because the first "B" in the BBC logo is partially obscured! What causes this?
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what it is. I noticed it using AirPlay from iPlayer ios several years ago.

Its your TV, not your Apple TV thats the problem.

Turn off overscan in your TV settings and suddenly all your video will be in the correct resolution. The difference is amazing. Currently everything you watch is zoomed with the edges cut off.

You can read this article from John Siracusa for detailed info. Nearly all TV's come with overscan turned on so that all your video looks bad. http://hypercritical.co/2013/12/22/fill-your-tv
 
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Sethp said:
Has anyone had any luck with Captions or subtitles? These work quite well on the web-based iPlayer, if I get subtitles to work this is a dream come true.
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I need subtitles BBC iPlayer too. Someone above post link blog BBC.

BBC say:
Unfortunately Apple don’t support the subtitle format we use, so it’s not possible to turn on subtitles at this time. We’re investigating what’s possible in this area.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/entries/b83f06a2-8552-47d3-b87a-2d883738d666

For now I do with Signed Zone category programme until subtitles ready.
 
Rasasu said:
Guys I just have a query. If I am not mistaken theres an app called TV player. They were offering all this BBC channels from week one when they launched apple Tv. its free. they do offer premium channels but in total of 85 channels if i am not mistaken you only need to pay about £ 4.99 per month. Have a look on that option
Click to expand...

That charge is for premium channels and nothing to do with the BBC. You get programmes from The Discovery and History channels for instance.
 
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