BBC Trust approves 30-day iPlayer catch-up window

The new BBC iPlayer on tablet, smart phone, TV and computer

The BBC’s governing body, the BBC Trust, has approved plans by the corporation to extend the catch-up window for its iPlayer video-on-demand service from seven to 30 days. 

Announcing the move, the Trust said that it expects the BBC to implement the changes from this summer, with the decision following a formal assessment and advice from broadcast regulator Ofcom.

With the extension, the BBC will phase out ‘series stacking’ on the iPlayer for TV programmes in exchange for the longer 30-day catch-up window, the Trust said. However, series stacking will still be available for radio shows.

BBC Trust vice chairman, Diane Coyle, hailed 30-day catch-up as a “sensible move” that will benefit audiences and provide a “more consistent catch-up service.”

“With an average of 10.7 million programme requests every day, BBC iPlayer is highly valued by audiences and has been a phenomenal success since it launched six years ago. It is important that iPlayer continues to evolve and meet the expectations of users,” said Coyle.

In a statement, the BBC also welcomed the move saying: “People keep telling us they want programmes to be available on BBC iPlayer for longer – so extending availability from seven to 30 days will make iPlayer even better.

“New iPlayer already has downloads, better recommendations, HD, live restart, favourites and collections, and extending the catch-up window to 30 days gives people even longer to enjoy their favourite BBC programmes.”