BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm, is launching a global BBC iPlayer app in Europe, with a global roll out planned later in the year.
This video on demand subscription service, launching first in Western Europe, will deliver BBC shows to viewers in 11 markets.
For €6.99 a month (or €49.99 for an annual subscription), the app will initially be available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.
Subscribers will be able to access a selection of English language programmes across eight genres: News Specials & Documentaries; Entertainment; Drama; Comedy; Science & Nature; Family & Kids; Music & Culture and Lifestyle.
The app brings together classic comedies such as Fawlty Towers and Only Fools & Horses, drama series Sherlock, Luther and much loved Pride and Prejudice, recent episodes of EastEnders, Top Gear, along with Doctor Who and children’s shows such as Charlie & Lola.
The app allows subscribers both to stream and to download shows for offline viewing for when they can’t access Wi-Fi connectivity.
John Smith CEO BBC Worldwide said: “I’m proud that we’re one of the first international broadcasters to give access to our shows in a perfectly packaged app. This launch is an important route to market in our strategy of pursuing multiple platforms for our programmes and brands, taking British programmes to new digital audiences around the world. Today marks a significant next step on a digital journey that has already seen 12m BBC Worldwide apps downloaded across brands as diverse as Lonely Planet and Good Food.”
“Based on the soaring success of the UK’s pioneering BBC iPlayer service, the app combines technical innovation with editorial creativity to transport users to the heart of the BBC and British television and on a journey of discovery, wherever and whenever they want,” said Jana Bennett, BBC Worldwide President of Worldwide Networks and Global iPlayer “We have an exciting vision for what this service could become and will develop it based on feedback from within the markets.”
The global version of the BBC iPlayer app launched today marks the start of a pilot phase for the service.
www.bbc.com/iplayer/tv
