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Doctor Who: Ncuti Gatwa returns on 11th May

Doctor Who will return to our screens on 11th May, as Season 14 of the sci-fi series gets properly underway. The new season will see...

FAQs

Yes. A valid TV licence is required to watch or download any programmes on BBC iPlayer, as well as watching or recording live TV on any channel. Doing so without a TV licence can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.

Go to the TV guide or Channels tab, then click on the channel that you’d like to watch and select either “watch live” or the programme that’s currently streaming live. Once you’ve started watching live TV on iPlayer, the live stream will stop after 3 hours. If you missed the start of a show, click “Live Restart” to watch from the beginning. You can rewind up to 2 hours while watching something live.

The window a programme is available for on BBC iPlayer after its broadcast varies, depending on the rights agreed for that programme. Typically, it is a year after broadcast, but can be longer or as short as one month.

Downloaded programmes expire at the same time as their online versions.

No. BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK TV licence and its use is restricted to UK residents only.

Yes, but you have to download them while you’re in the UK. Once downloaded, you can watch them anywhere in the world or when you’re offline.

Go to Home, then On Demand and Catch Up. If you have Sky Q, go to Home then Apps. You can then select BBC iPlayer from the menu.

The BBC has closed its Kids app and replaced it with child profiles within BBC iPlayer, which will give under-13s a dedicated version of iPlayer with age-appropriate programmes that will include categories such as Trending, Drama, Funny and Cartoons. User profiles will be split into child-friendly age brackets, such as 0-3 and 10-12.

Go to Settings, Settings & Help, then Parental Guidance. You can then set up a 4-digit pin to restrict access to inappropriate content.

Best TV shows

Our guide to the best TV shows and box sets currently available on BBC iPlayer. (Click here to see our guide to the best movies on BBC iPlayer.)   Catch up with: Ralph & Katie Anyone missing the heartfelt goodness of The...

Best films

Our guide to BBC iPlayer films currently available to stream, including how long you have until they leave - regularly updated with recommendations and new additions to watch this week.

In-depth reviews

BBC Three picks

It's happened. It's here. BBC Three has transformed from an online channel to an old-fashioned linear channel, only five years after it went in the opposite direction. Once again, it's in response to the viewing habits of younger audiences,...
In February 2016, BBC Three became the UK's first online TV channel. In February 2022, it jumped back to being a linear TV channel. The one thing that hasn't changed? It remains a vital launchpad of homegrown talent, as...