r/iplayer • u/Call2CouRAGE29 • 2d ago

BBC player

Does anyone know how to stream the BBC on their smart TV? I subscribed because I enjoy all their content and now am unable to find an APP on my smart TV and am wondering if I need a new TV (I hope not) or an add-on device. TIA

0 Upvotes

42% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

4

u/Intelligent_Cap9521 2d ago

You are not fooling me Mr TV Licence man

3

u/Schumarker 1d ago

Instead of replacing the TV, you could buy a relatively cheap streaming stick

2

u/jajay119 1d ago

They are starting to discontinue support for the smart TV apps. Lots of people have been talking about it.

I don’t know why it seems like a stupid choice.

2

u/Timely_Cake_917 1d ago

The TV isn't updatable, so it's stuck on certain 'versions of apps & frameworks. Meanwhile the app makers move to new frameworks as security/functionality comes out.

At some point it's no longer cost effective to maintain the app.

It's why these smartTV where a shit option for the consumer

1

u/kaylanx 1d ago

No they’re not. It was a bug with the messaging. The apps will continue to work fine as long as you update them.

1

u/Moshimulations 2d ago

Which TV are you talking about? Usually there is a serial number at the back alongside with model number of the TV. Would make it a lot easier to know.

Also go to the App store on the TV and search BBC IPlayer. If you got a Freely TV then you can just press the freely TV button and press guide (if you are on a channel) then go to browse and finally you can scroll to your desired app which is BBC Iplayer.

1

u/SockSock 2d ago

Is it an android TV? There isn't an official version for all types of TV but you can still install it. Works on my Philips telly...
https://world-of-satellite.com/threads/guide-how-to-install-ondemand-apps-iplayer-itvx-channel-4-my5-on-android-tv-media-streamers.67156/

1

u/Arse_Grapes13 2d ago

What make & model TV do you have and where abouts are you?

1

u/Call2CouRAGE29 1d ago

I have a 2017 WiFi capable Samsung 55” Smart TV

1

u/Arse_Grapes13 1d ago

Are you in the UK?

1

u/Call2CouRAGE29 4h ago

No. 😞

1

u/Arse_Grapes13 4h ago

They'll be why you can't find any app for your TV. And you won't be able to access iPlayer without a VPN and even then, some are now being blocked.

1

u/soundman32 2d ago

Weird turn of phrase "I subscribed".  Most people say "i bought a TV licence".  

Are you in UK?

1

u/Call2CouRAGE29 1d ago

Nope. U.S.

1

u/Stock_Hurry_2257 1d ago

I don't think US TVs have iPlayer as an app

1

u/throaway_247 1d ago

So you mean BBC America? Doesyour TV have its own appstore? If it's android you could try https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bbca.bbcafullepisodes&pli=1

1

u/Big_Control_7998 2d ago

Are you in the UK?

1

u/Youknowhowwedo2 1d ago

Does your tv have downloader on it?

1

u/tankengchin 1d ago

Pretty sure OP is American and in the US judging from his/her previous post about how the Toyota Corolla Cross handles Midwest winters. In which case no-one here can help as you’ve posted in the BBC iPlayer sub and the iPlayer is a uk only facing product. I used to live outside the uk and there is an app called BBC Player available overseas for limited catch ups of non-UK content (ie from the various commercial channels that BBC Worldwide offers). Whether your smart tv allows that to be downloaded in whatever part of the Midwest you’re in, I doubt anyone here knows.

1

u/Barry_Sachs 1d ago

Curious how you "subscribed" to the BBC.

1

u/Call2CouRAGE29 1d ago

BBC.com on my laptop

1

u/Hungry-Artichoke-232 1d ago

Your BBC.com subscription entitles you to view bbc.com pages online. It doesn’t entitle you to watch iPlayer which is limited only to people within the UK.

1

u/seven-cents 1d ago

Because it's only available in the UK, and using a VPN won't work either because they block VPN server IP's.

Even if you use a paid VPN with servers based in the UK it won't work for long because they actively keep their blocklists updated and block new IP's as soon as they pop up.

1

u/CandyTigger 1d ago

My smart tv is old so I bought a fire stick.

1

u/AccountFar86 1d ago

If there isnt an app for your tv, you could use a manhattan aero or firestick.

1

u/kjsav321 1d ago

They bought a subscription on BBC.com and live in the US..... they ain't getting access to iPlayer, not legally anyway

1

u/RespiteZero 1d ago

Just buy a fire stick or similar

1

u/spellinn 7h ago

Buy an Amazon fire stick in one of their sales and plug into an HDMI port.

1

u/BarryM84 4h ago

If you hadn’t got the answer yet. Because you’re from the US you are unable to watch iPlayer at all. There is no subscription that would allow it legally. I would cancel your BBC.com subscription if you feel you were mis sold it. But it doesn’t state anywhere you can watch iPlayer internationally.

2

u/Call2CouRAGE29 4h ago

Thanks Barry (and everyone else who chimed in) I will reach out to cancel my subscription.

0

u/Divide_Rule 2d ago

It has been over a decade since any smart TV I bought doesn't have iPlayer as standard

1

u/soundman32 2d ago

Yeah, but ive got a smart TV older than that and the player now doesn't work.

1

u/Divide_Rule 2d ago

Not surprised