The BBC has confirmed the “global” version of its iPlayer on-demand service will close next month. The online facility was always described as a “pilot” meant to provide “consumer insights”. The international edition of iPlayer screen some of the BBC’s best known programmes, including Doctor Who, Top Gear, Sherlock and David Attenborough’s natural history documentaries.The corporation had […]
The BBC has confirmed the “global” version of its iPlayer on-demand service will close next month. The online facility was always described as a “pilot” meant to provide “consumer insights”.
The international edition of iPlayer screen some of the BBC’s best known programmes, including Doctor Who, Top Gear, Sherlock and David Attenborough’s natural history documentaries.The corporation had charged users subscription fees to watch programmes via the app in Western Europe, Australia and Canada.
BBC Worldwide – the broadcaster’s commercial arm – first announced it intended to pull support for the Global iPlayer app in October 2013, saying it would instead focus on making material available via the BBC.com website.
The BBC repeated the point in its annual review last year, but until now had not provided an exact shut-off date.
“As announced in July 2014, the service will be closing this year as planned,” said a spokeswoman.
“The service will close on 26 June.”
The global iPlayer app was first made available as an iOS app in July 2011 but was never extended beyond Apple’s platform.
