BBC iPlayer accessed from tablets more than smartphones for first time
The BBC has revealed figures which show that BBC iPlayer is now accessed more frequently on tablets than mobile devices.
41m requests were made for TV and radio programmes from tablets, compared to 40m from smartphones and other small screens such as iPods. Combined, tablets and smartphones make up 30 per cent of iPlayer usage, with BBC iPlayer seeing a total 272m requests for programmes last month.
Across the UK however, only 19 per cent of the population own a tablet, while 58 per cent have a smartphone according to Ofcom’s latest figures.
"It's a huge moment for us," said Dave Price, the head of BBC iPlayer. "Whether it's in bed, in the bath or on the train, tablets have opened up use cases for iPlayer that just weren't there before."
Speaking on the reasons behind the boom in tablet requests, Price said: "The weather and a strong schedule have been a part of it but by far the biggest factor is the sales of devices in the run up to Christmas and the January sales."