iPlayer beats rivals on usability, says survey

The BBC’s iPlayer catch-up service is the most easy-to-use UK video-on-demand service, easily beating BSkyB’s Sky Player, according to a study by user experience consultants Webcredible.

The iPlayer achieved a score of 88% on Webcredible’s usability index, followed by Scottish broadcaster STV’s STV Player, with 76%, the consultant group said.

Channel 5’s Demand Five service came third with 72%, followed by Channel 4’s 4oD and ITV’s ITV Player with 68% and 60% respectively.

BSkyB’s Sky Player, which includes a range of subscriptions offerings, achieved only 55%.

The report analysed the VOD and catch-up services of the six broadcasters against 10 best-practice usability guidelines centred on site and homepage priorities, supporting key user tasks, engagement and help and support. The weakest scores were on providing flexible viewing options and engaging audiences with additional features, Webcredible said.