David Farnor | On 26, Jun 2022

From a range of stellar TV shows and a library of box sets to its collection of films old and new, BBC iPlayer is one of the best streaming platforms in the UK. For more on BBC iPlayer, see our full streaming guide here, including recommendations of what to watch.

One of the best things about it is that it also provides programming in 4K at no extra cost.

Ultra High Definition video (also known as UHD and 4K) is slowly becoming the future of home video, as improved TV sets become more affordable and internet speeds get fast enough to support the higher picture resolution. The Beeb has a played a key role in driving that progress forward, not only streaming UHD video on BBC iPlayer but also streaming it live. In the summer of 2018, it did that for the first time from two events: the World Cup and Wimbledon. That built on tests going back to 2016 in which the Beeb streamed Planet Earth II footage in Ultra HD and HDR as an experiment on BBC iPlayer.

Now, 4K is a standard of BBC iPlayer’s service, extending in the summer of 2022 to bring live music from Glastonbury in Ultra HD for the first time – with Pyramid Stage headliners Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Sir Paul McCartney streaming live from Worthy Farm in 4K.

What programmes are available in Ultra HD on BBC iPlayer?

We’ve got a full list here, which we’ll keep updated:

9/11: Inside the President’s War Room
Attenborough’s Wonder of Song
Blue Planet II
Chloe
Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks
Dynasties
The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet
Everything I Know About Love
Eden: Untamed Planet
The Girl Before
Glastonbury 2022 (Pyramid Stage)
The Green Planet
His Dark Materials
Life After Life
Life and Death in the Warehouse
The Mating Game
Mood
Peaky Blinders, Series 6
A Perfect Planet
The Responder
Ridley Road
Seven Worlds, One Planet
Sherwood
Showtrial
The Tourist
The Trick
A Very British Scandal
Vigil
Wimbledon 2022 (Centre Court)
Winter Journey: Schubert’s Winterreise
Wonders of the Celtic Deep

What do I need to watch 4K and HDR on BBC iPlayer?

You’ll need an internet connection of 24MBit/s for the full 3840 pixel Ultra HD experience, or 12MBit/s for 2560 pixel Ultra HD. Footage will be played at 50 frames per second. The BBC uses a type of HDR called Hybrid Log-Gamma, invented by BBC Research & Development and Japanese broadcaster, NHK. For a full list of compatible devices, click here. You should also go into your iPlayer app settings to make sure your video quality is set to Best Quality.

How do I access Ultra HD programmes on iPlayer?

You can either search for the above programmes directly, or check the homepage or Sports page for livestreams of matches, concerts and other major events.

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