BBC to extend iPlayer to Microsoft Windows devices
The BBC is extending the iPlayer to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 and 8 devices in the next few months.
The broadcaster is planning to introduce a shortcut to the BBC iPlayer which will be available in the Windows Phone Store, and will let the TV catch-up player work on the 7.5 and 8 devices via a live tile.
The shortcut will comprise the iPlayer mobile website and its media player for Android devices. as it continues to extend its online reach.
Cyrus Saihan, head of business development, BBC Future Media said: Working with the industry in ways like this helps our digital services reach more of the UK’s online population and gives our audiences ever increasing ways to access BBC services. We will keep you updated on the launch and more in the coming months on the blog and elsewhere."
The news comes as the broadcaster revealed record viewing levels from tablet devices over Christmas, with figures doubling over two months. Programme requests across Apple’s iPad and Google’s Nexus 7 nearly doubled between November 2012 and January 2013 to 40 million – up from 11 million the previous January.
Meanwhile its latest figures show iPlayer can now be accessed via over 650 different device types.
Last month the broadcaster revealed it will debut 40 hours’ worth of programmes on iPlayer prior to TV transmission as part of a year-long trial.
It has already introduced exclusive iPlayer content having brought BBC Three comedy pilots, a Doctor Who web series called 'Pond Life', and curated archive programmes for BBC Four. It will build on this throughout 2013.