BBC for free!!! (BBC iPlayer)

Member Name: louanna8

Product:	BBC iPlayer
Date:	10/07/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: free

Disadvantages: only available in UK

BBC Iplayer is a website where you can catch up on BBc programs that you may have missed. Both television and radio shows are available on here offering a wide and varied selection. There is obviously nothing on here that can't be found on TV but if you've missed an episode of your favourite BBc show this is the place to come. Programs are generally available for up to 30 days and best of all they are free of charge. Shows are often uploaded onto iplayer just an hour after they've appeared on television.

~The Website~
The website is primarily black with pink and white writing. the website is basic but functions as it should. However, the best thing about it has to be the lack of advertisements. Ads are really a pet hate of mine (obivously I understand the need for them as financial funding for websites) so it's really refreshing to find a website without them.

~Finding a program ~
This is very simple and can be achieved in various ways.
If you know exactly what you want to watch e.g. the latest episode of Eastenders then you can simply use the search function at the top of the page. This will bring up a list of each episode of Eastenders from the last 30 days and you simply choose the one you want. It really is simple.

If you're just browsing and fancy watchin a comedy program or some light entertainment then you can browse by category. The main categories are Childrens, Comedy, Drama, Entertainment, Factual, Films, Music, News, Religion, Sport and Sign Zone. These all have further sub-categories if, for example, you are only interested in watching satire. I think this search function is very useful and have found some great new programs on here.

It is also possible to search the various television channels e.g. BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4,CBBC, Cbeebies etc as well as the radio stations.
You can also see the most popular programs on the home page as well as the last programs you have viewed.

BBC iplayer has an option for a parental guidance lock if you have children under 16. This prevents them accessing any programs suitable for over 16's only. I have never used this aas no-one in my house is under 16 so it has no use. However,it is clearly a good idea particularly if you have a fairly young child. It would prevent them clicking onto anything unsuitable by accident whilst watching CBBC etc.

I think that BBC iplayer is a fantastic service that provides top quality entertainment. I find it much less complicated than both ITV catch-up and 4OD and that the programs load much more quickly as well. I often have problems with the page freezing when trying to use ITV catch-up and have never experienced this with BBC iplayer.

Another plus is that it is free to use which I find a little bizarre seeing as everyone's TV licence pays for the BBC. However, I won't be complaining and I hope the service does stay free.

It is possible to download programs but as I have never done this I can't really comment on it. The main benefit I can see is that you would be able to watch programs without being connected to the internet and could download them onto your ipod etc.

There are a few negative points the first being that it is only available in the UK. This applies to all the television programs and a few of the radio shows though many radio shows are available overseas. As I temporarily live in France this means that when I'm there the service is completely useless which I think is a shame for Brits living abroad.
Also, I should say that not every BBC show is put on the iplayer, there are a few that you won't find there. This mainly applies to programs that have been produced in other countries or those by private-production companies.

Nevertheless this is a great service though I can't help wondering what the BBC get out of it. I use it to catch up on all the great comedy shows that BBC produces such as Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week(the seventh series has just started), That Mitchell and Webb etc. The videos are always of great quality and I know they are from a trusted source. A perfect place for catching up or just passing a lazy hour.

Summary: Excellent

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