BBC IPlayer Continues To Set New Standards For Video On Demand

Technological advancements, particularly in the past few years, with the widespread manufacture and consummation of mobile smartphones skyrocketing, have seen the use of BBC iPlayer grow faster and wider than was predicted.

With the ability to catch up on programming from nearly anywhere, and the fact that more people have smartphones than ever before (a number that exponentially rises), more than a quarter of requests to watch shows in 2012 were made on tablets or smartphones. And with Google's Nexus 4, 7 and 10 range setting new benchmarks on quality and price compared to Apple's pricey iPad series, we can expect those numbers to rise. "Mobile, tablet and connected TV skyrocketed, with a particular emphasis on audiences taking iPlayer on the go," said Daniel Danker, BBC general manager of programmes and on demand. "This year, we're looking forward to turning iPlayer into an entertainment destination, with a relentless focus on making iPlayer as easy and enjoyable as television."

A record 2.32billion people viewed programmes across 650 platforms in 2012, with Danny Boyle's Olympic opening ceremony the most popular show on the iPlayer last year with 3.3million requests. In total 36.5bn minutes of BBC programmes were watched on the iPlayer in 2012. The BBC said this was a 34% increase over 2011.