Bbc iplayer how long before programmes appear

Parental controls. Signing in. Supported devices. Watching iPlayer. Programme availability. Recent changes to iPlayer. Watching outside the UK. Resolving Issues. Mobile and tablet issues. Playback issues. Sometimes, BBC iPlayer would have obtained rights for airing the program for only a set period of time like 30 days after it is initially broadcasted.

When it comes to the time at which programs are available on BBC iPlayer, the duration depends on whether the program is live broadcasted, or pre-recorded. In the case of pre-recorded programs such as soaps, dramas, and documentaries, these shows are available immediately after their broadcast comes to end. Rarely, it may take more time for the service to process the program and get it on to the BBC iPlayer platform.

If the program was live broadcasted, or close to being live broadcasted, BBC iPlayer takes a little more time to process the programs. This is because these programs need to be converted into a suitable format in order to be uploaded and publicly distributed on BBC iPlayer. Usually, the availability time for programs that fall under this category, is up to four times the duration of the live programs. Examples of programs like these are Question Time, Mock the Week, and sports programs.

Thus it can be understood that content on the BBC iPlayer can be viewed for 30 days after its first broadcast. There are other similar services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more. But, BBC iPlayer is very convenient for UK-based users as they can use practically any device to watch programs without ads. It was broadcast live Live, or close-to-live, programmes like sports coverage, Question Time or Mock the Week will take longer to process than pre-recorded programmes because they need to be made available in a format suitable to be published on BBC iPlayer before they can be uploaded.

It can take up to four times the length of the live programme for it to become available. For more on this, check the How do I use Live Restart? Need more help? Contact us. Browse our help categories Getting Started.

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