Five future features proposed for the BBC iPlayer

 

This week saw the BBC announce its vision for the future when it came to the BBC iPlayer, as well as launching BBC Playlister.

The BBC Playlister is available now in Beta form from the BBC website, allowing you to tag music from BBC TV shows and BBC Radio and add it to a playlist which you will then be able to export to any of the supported partners, including Spotify, Deezer and YouTube. A web client is available and it will also work on mobile browsers. Users can save a currently played track, or one recommended to them in the client into a playlist stored under a specific profile.

However, you'll have to wait a bit longer for the iPlayer features. We have rounded up five of the features the company has planned or is experimenting with for the next generation iPlayer and what they will mean for you.

Multi-camera angles and Ultra HD
There are a few programmes you might want to dive a little closer into, whether that is your favourite star on Strictly Come Dancing or the giraffes in Africa.

There are plans to make a few programmes more interactive so not only could there be information boxes to tell you a little bit more, but also multi-camera angles to pick from.

Plus, in some cases there could also be Ultra HD 4K video footage, which would give you a crystal clear and sharp image to watch.

Pause and resume
Pause and resume is a feature already found on many of the media streaming services such as Netflix and Lovefilm, so it would be great if it came to the next iPlayer.

It will mean you can move from the living room to the bedroom and finish off watching the show you picked where you left off, rather than having to fast forward to where you were when you paused it.

Extended watching time
At the moment, you have seven days to get onto BBC iPlayer, find your favourite programme to catch up on and watch it, otherwise it is gone.

Seven days isn't a great deal of time, especially if you are on holiday or having a busy week. But the next generation iPlayer will give you an extra time frame, bringing it up to 30 days to watch the show you want to after it has been on.

A touch of personalisation
There normally isn't just one show that you love, you probably have a fair few you enjoy even if you don't always have time to watch them.

With the new iPlayer, there will be the ability to create a personalised channel so you can make sure all your favourites are in your own space.

Plus, you will also be able to create an evening schedule, which will allow you to line up the shows you want to watch for an evening.

More channels
Along with plans for exclusive content, almost turning the iPlayer into an all-new BBC channel of its own, there will also be new channels available in one place.

The new channels could include ones based on specific subjects such as Science and Art and displayed under themed headings so they are easy for you to find.

In addition, talks of pop-up channels for big events such as Glastonbury are also on the cards for the next generation iPlayer, meaning all the coverage from the respective event will be in an easy place to watch.

All the features might not make it to the final build of the next BBC iPlayer, but those that do will certainly help you watch what you want, when and where you want to watch it.