Olympics, Top Gear and Sherlock deliver record breaking 2012 for BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer has notched up a record breaking 2012 with 2.32bn programme requests and 36.5bn minutes of content being uploaded to the online catch-up service.
This contributed to audiences lavishing 34% more time on the service than ever before drawn by a number of big ticket items, notably the Olympics with the opening ceremony alone drawing 3,326m requests.
Strong performances from hit shows such as Top Gear and Sherlock also bolstered performances, drawing 2,834m and 2,528m requests respectively.
Continued growth in mobile and tablet usage proved to be one of the biggest drivers of traffic growth with a 177% increase in requests from such devices year on year with requests from PCs dipping to just a 47% share – the first time it has fallen below 50%.
Daniel Danker, general manager, programmes and on-demand, said: “2012 was a ground-breaking year for BBC iPlayer with a record 2.32 billion requests for programmes across over 650 platforms. Last year, the use of iPlayer shifted from PCs and early adopter devices like game consoles to screens used by all audiences. Mobile, tablet, and connected TV skyrocketed, with a particular emphasis on audiences taking iPlayer on the go.
“This year, we’re looking forward to turning iPlayer into an entertainment destination, with a relentless focus on making iPlayer as easy and enjoyable as television.”