BBC unveils next generation iPlayer

The next generation iPlayer

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The BBC is planning to offer a personalised iPlayer service later this year that will let users create a 'library' of their favourite content.

The next generation iPlayer launches tomorrow (26 June) with integrated TV and radio content, new personalisation features and a slick new interface.

The personalisation engine, called 'more like this', sits below the viewing screen and recommends other shows that the viewer might like, based on their viewing habits. This feature will be developed later in the year to include an optional sign in for users. Once signed in, users will be able to create their own personal library of content of iPlayer, populated with the content that they like.

In May, the iPlayer handled 21.8m requests to view content, 700,000 per day, and the new version has been designed to encourage more viewing, and listening, by mixing TV and radio content by genre. A new 'carousel' of content divided by TV and radio sits on the homepage, with control tabs moved to the top of the page. From these tabs, users can also select content by genre, with both TV and radio content mixed together.

Radio audiences can choose to either listen again to BBC Radio from the last seven days or listen live – either through iPlayer or using a new pop-out player to enable them to continue surfing the web. Radio listeners will also be able to pause, fast forward and rewind radio content in the same way they can TV content. Most radio will be available in 128kb, an improvement form previous audio content.

Another new homepage feature is a new scheduler that shows the entire BBC TV schedule and informs the user which shows will be available on iPlayer and when they become available – enabling the user to decide whether to miss a broadcast and catch-up later on iPlayer.

Other additions include a top 10 of radio and TV, a 'last played' service, which allows users to continue watching TV shows at the point when they last left them; a larger playback screen; a section covering yesterday's BBC output and sections dedicated to news and sport.

The platform is on track to be available on Macs by the end of the year and the BBC and upgraded beta services for the iTouch and iPhone will be launched in the next few days. iPlayer is also available on Virgin Media, either through the EPG or via the red button on BBC channels, and the BBC is in discussion with a number of other players in the UK to get the service on their platforms.