David Farnor | On 04, Oct 2018

There’s nothing worse in life than going to watch an episode of a TV show and discovering that it isn’t available. Well, ok, there are lots of things worse in life, but they don’t involve having the end of Bodyguard spoiled or result in all your friends lecturing you on why you need to have seen Fleabag.

That’s why, at VODzilla.co, we keep you updated with what’s leaving each subscription service using our #lastchancetostream hashtag. Now, BBC iPlayer is joining our crusade against FOMO with the introduction of new ‘last chance’ warnings. When downloaded programmes are about to come off BBC iPlayer, app users will receive a notification on their mobile or tablet device letting them know that they only have a few days left to watch.

Since they were added, downloads have proven popular among BBC iPlayer app users, as they enable people to watch programmes on the move without eating into their data plans. They also enable viewers to download programmes before they go abroad and watch BBC iPlayer when they’re on holiday.

Dan Taylor-Watt, head of BBC iPlayer, says: “Downloads are a great way to watch on the move, when commuting, or while you’re abroad, but it can be very frustrating if you forget that a download is about to expire and only realise once it’s too late. We’re reinventing BBC iPlayer for a new generation, with more personalised features, more box sets and UHD HDR content. We hope these new ‘last chance’ notifications will add to this, improving people’s experience of using the app and help to ensure that no-one misses out on watching their favourite BBC shows.”

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