BBC updates iPlayer for Sky

The BBC is “updating and improving” the interface for its iPlayer catch-up service on the Sky platform, bringing it in line with recently rolled out updates to the service on computers, tablets and connected TVs.

Announcing the move, iPlayer executive product manager Marcus Parnwell said that it has been working with Sky to make “significant improvements” to the iPlayer on Sky+ HD boxes.

The update includes a new homescreen featuring curated programme highlights, new navigation tools with dedicated areas for most popular content, ‘collections’ based around themes or series, and a new ‘all’ area with an A-Z list of programmes.

iPlayer-exclusive content will also now be available on the Sky platform, and users will be able to click the red button while viewing any BBC channel to go directly to the iPlayer.

“We are aware that displaying SD and HD copies of an episode next to each other isn’t the best use of screen space, which is why we are working hard with Sky on an update to improve this. We hope to have this solved in the next few months,” said Parnewell.

The BBC first launched the current version of iPlayer for Sky boxes more than 18 months ago.