BBC makes huge change to iPlayer app from today which will affect millions of users

From weekly airings of The Apprentice to Steven Knight's The Town, it's clear that BBC iPlayer has been providing us with a whole lot of proper good telly as of recently.

However, the BBC has since announced a pretty major change to the iPlayer app, with a huge feature being removed permanently.

Now, at the moment, iPlayer users are able to access the broad range of TV shows and films on the platform - whether they stream it on smart TVs, laptops desktop computers, smart tablets or on smartphones.

A handy little feature on iPlayer also allowed people to download programmes or flicks in order to watch them at a later time while being offline without access to WiFi - like being on a train with shaky connection or on flight mode while on an airplane.

However, the new change means that viewers are no longer be able to download any viewing material if they’re using the iPlayer Downloads app on laptops or desktop computers.

The BBC has issued a statement on the matter, saying the changes have been made due to the 'low number' of people using it, as well as the cost needed to keep it afloat.

"We have made the difficult decision to close the BBC iPlayer Downloads application for PC and Mac, due to the low number of people using it and the cost required to keep it going," the BBC told Tyla in a statement.

The spokesperson continued: "This does not affect downloads on the BBC iPlayer mobile or tablet apps and viewers can continue to stream programmes on BBC iPlayer on their PCs and Macs."

Carl Court / Staff / Getty Images

The change comes into effect from today (8 April), which means that people watching BBC iPlayer on their laptops or desktop computers will no longer be able to download programmes to watch offline.

"It is no longer possible to install the BBC iPlayer Downloads application as it is being decommissioned and will close on Monday, 8 April 2024," the BBC adds.

The Apple App Store also states: "This app is available only on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV."

Some people clearly aren't happy with the change with one X user writing: "‘Oh that’s a shame. BBC iPlayer are stopping laptop downloads. I liked getting shows for train journeys."

Another chimed in: "No but fr BBC iPlayer downloads has been my lifeline bc my internet is super unreliable, I don’t have a tablet and my phone screen is tiny, I don’t wanna watch Sherlock on that!"

Topics: BBC, TV And Film, UK News, News

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.