FAQs

BBC Player is an authenticated multi-genre SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) service that allows viewers to watch the very best BBC programmes anytime and anywhere. It is available online (www.bbcplayer.com) and as an app, via Apple App Store and Google Play Store for smartphones and tablets.

Singapore and Malaysia

With BBC Player, subscribers to BBC channels on Singtel, StarHub, unifi TV, Astro , Prime Video India and MyVideo  will be able to:

• Watch BBC First – the home of premium and original drama from the BBC and British independent production companies; with an array of titles that challenge, immerse and entertain, including some of the BBC’s most popular and distinctive dramas;

• Enjoy programmes from new genre brand BBC Brit – which offers premium factual entertainment that is intelligent but irreverent. BBC Brit will offer programmes covering science, adventure, business, life-changing moments, extreme characters, quirky eccentrics, music, sport and comedy;

• Access a selection of popular programmes from the linear channels on their Singtel TV subscription – including BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, and CBeebies;

• Stream and download a selection of award-winning and highly rated BBC programmes to watch offline for up to 30 days.

India

The subscription-based service on Prime Video will provide Indian viewers a curated line-up of popular British content spanning from world-class British dramas, comedy, documentaries, factual shows, entertainment to lifestyle programming and children’s shows – all on a single destination.

Prime members can now purchase an annual add-on subscription to BBC Player for INR 599 and enjoy full access to BBC Kids as well. Alternatively, members can also subscribe to BBC Kids only for INR 199 annually.

BBC iPlayer is the BBC’s streaming catch-up television and radio service that is only available in the UK. The service is funded by UK license fee payers and is not legally available outside the UK.

BBC Player is an authenticated service currently available in Singapore, Malaysia, India. For more information, please visit Singtel, StarHub, Astro, unifi or Prime Video India.

BBC Player features content from six BBC global brands – BBC Earth, BBC First, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC Brit.

BBC Earth inspires audiences by sharing the incredible wonders of our universe. BBC Earth showcases the work of the world’s foremost factual filmmakers as it seeks to take audiences on a thrilling journey of discovery across natural history and science. From the smallest creature under the microscope to the limitless expanses of space, BBC Earth brings viewers face to face with heart pounding action, mind-blowing ideas and the wonders of being human.

BBC First is the home of premium, original British drama. Showcasing world-renowned, award-winning talent in front of and behind the camera, it delivers audiences the first chance to see stories that challenge, immerse and entertain, all with a unique British perspective.

BBC Brit offers premium factual entertainment that is intelligent but irreverent. Male-skewing but with broader appeal, it blends expertise with entertainment and fact with fun. The channel will become the exclusive home of Top Gear and covers a rich variety of subjects: cars, science, adventure, business, life-changing moments, extreme characters, quirky eccentrics and comedy. BBC Brit is available exclusively on BBC Player.

BBC Lifestyle is the unique entertainment destination brimming with vibrant, fresh and exciting programmes which set trends and guide you into transforming your world; from revamping your home to invigorating your culinary skills and helping you to become happier and get the best out of life.

CBeebies is loved by preschoolers under six, and trusted by their parents and carers. The channel is inspired by preschoolers’ natural curiosity and zest for play. Programming on the channel is customised to appeal to and suit the developmental needs of distinct age groups. Parents and carers trust CBeebies to deliver a safe, non-violent, interactive experience designed by developmental experts, and delivered by the trusted BBC brand, to promote imaginative play, social interaction, language skills and educational values.

BBC Player is an authenticated service currently available in Singapore, Malaysia and India. For more information, please visit Singtel, StarHub, Astro, unifi, or Prime Video India.

BBC Player lets you use a PIN to control access to programmes, based on their rating, on supported devices. To set up a PIN, go to ‘Settings’ on the BBC Player app or website.

Please note that you will have to do this for every new device that you download BBC Player to and for every browser you use to access http://www.bbcplayer.com/.

The requirement to log on is part of the security feature that helps to prevent unauthorised usage of your BBC Player account/Hub iD.

You will need to log into every device that you’ve downloaded the BBC Player app onto, and every new computer you’re using for the online version.

Streamed videos are videos that are played on one device but are stored on a centralised server on the internet. You need to have a connection to the internet in order to play the video.

Downloaded videos are stored on the device that they were downloaded onto. You need a connection to download the video file to get it onto your device, but after it has been downloaded you can watch the video without any internet or 3G/4G/5G connection. BBC Player allows temporary downloads for certain programmes on most iOS and Android devices.

The difference between streaming and downloaded videos is like the difference between listening to a song on the radio and listening to a song that has been downloaded to your iPad. If you’re listening to a song on the radio, you need to have reception — a connection to the radio station. If you’re listening to a song on iTunes (for example) that has been downloaded on your iPad, you can listen to it anywhere, you don’t need reception or a connection.

Besides streaming, you can also download selected programmes to view offline for up to 30 days. To check which programmes can be downloaded, click on the individual programmes on the service to get the information. Downloaded programmes will be stored on your device for up to 30 days. Please note that you can only download programmes in the app. If you’re on http://www.bbcplayer.com/ you will only be able to stream programmes.

You can download as many programmes as you want as long as you have enough data storage in your device. 

You have up to 30 days to watch your downloaded programmes. During this time, there is no limit to the number of times you can watch these programmes. The content will be automatically deleted from your device after 30 days.

All programmes are available in English closed captions. Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia subtitles are available for selected programmes. At the moment, BBC Player features content only in English audio.

Subtitles can be switched on or off using the ‘subtitles’ button which is shown in the form of a speech bubble located at the bottom right corner of the video player.

If you’re having problems playing programmes on your device, the following troubleshooting may help resolve your problem:

• Check your connection type and speed
Playback quality should change based on your connection speed. If you’re having pausing/buffering problems it’s good to understand your connection performance, for more information contact your internet service provider (ISP).
• 3G/4G/5G – Poor performance over a mobile network
You could try turning your data connection off and on again. However, even if it appears you have a good signal on you 3G/4G mobile network, other factors such as a congested network may affect performance. Connecting to a Wi-Fi network should improve playback and if it’s a consistent problem, consider downloading programmes over Wi-Fi beforehand.
• Is your device trying to connect via an unknown Wi-Fi network (hotspot, work network etc.)?
If your device is set to ‘connect to Wi-Fi networks automatically’, while you may think you’re connected via your 3G/4G mobile network or a known Wi-Fi network, your device may actually be trying to connect on a public/guest Wi-Fi hotspot or other Wi-Fi network. If you don’t have the password to this public/guest Wi-Fi network, you’ll experience problems. So either try and get a password for the network you’re connected to, disable ‘connect to Wi-Fi networks automatically’ on your device setting to revert back to 3G/4G, or manually select your desired Wi-Fi network.
• Wi-Fi – Poor performance
If others are using the same network, or if you have other devices connected to the internet, then all these devices are competing for available bandwidth. So try switching other devices off or offline. Also, the further away you are from the router, the worse the signal quality, so try moving closer to your router. Restarting your router may also help.
• Are you using the latest version of the app?
App updates frequently include bug fixes, so please update if you’re not using the latest app version. You can check for updates in your app store or google play.
• Try reinstalling the app
Sometimes, reinstalling the app may resolve a playback problem. This is also a good way of ensuring you’re using the latest version. Note, however, that when you delete the app, you’ll also delete any downloaded programmes.
• Are you using the latest Operating System version for your device?
If updates are available, it’s worth considering updating as sometime bugs can only be fixed by an operating system update.

If you’re having problems with playback such as the video skipping or buffering, you might want to check the Wi-Fi connection. If the signal is strong, check if other devices on the network are downloading or uploading anything as this may slow down the service.

We aim to make as many of our programmes as possible downloadable for up to 30 days. However, because we have different rights agreements with different programme makers, this isn’t always possible.

To check if your favourite programme can be downloaded, check for the ‘Download’ button shown alongside the programme.

This is because you are currently not subscribed to the corresponding BBC channels provided by your service provider.

For more information, please visit Singtel, StarHub, or unifi.