David Farnor | On 17, Feb 2017

BBC iPlayer becomming more personal for connected TV viewers. People who sign-in to their BBC account on connected TVs will soon be able to resume watching an episode or series started on another device.

Initially available to viewers with YouView devices, but rolling out to other connected TV devices, including set-top boxes, streaming media devices and games consoles, over the coming weeks and months, audiences can start watching the latest drama from Walford on the bus home from work – and pick up the action again from the comfort of their sofa on their TV.

To make it as easy as possible for people to sign-in on connected TVs, the BBC is rolling out ‘Pin and Pair’. To sign-in, all users need to do is select the person icon at the top of the screen on BBC iPlayer on their connected TV, then, on a separate computer, tablet or smart phone, go to the web address displayed on the TV screen and enter the code on screen.

The new sign-in capability and personalised features follow a record-breaking month for BBC iPlayer, with 304 million requests in January, the highest ever seen by the BBC. January viewing figures were up 8 per cent on December, BBC iPlayer’s previous best ever month, and saw over 50 million requests more than the same month last year.

Charlotte Moore, Director of Content for the BBC, says: “It’s great to see such large audiences coming to iPlayer to watch the New Year’s most talked about shows from Sherlock to Apple Tree Yard and Taboo – when they want and where they want. The new features and sign-in will only make that experience more rewarding and enjoyable.”

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