BBC iPlayer for children launches

 

This Christmas the BBC is to offer younger viewers their own version of BBC iPlayer that allows them to watch shows they love on-demand in a specially designed child-friendly service.

Aimed at children aged 6 to 12, BBC iPlayer for CBBC – BAFTA Children’s Channel of the Year – gives children the chance to choose when they watch programmes such as Blue Peter, MI High, Sarah Jane Adventures, and many other favourites. Through the CBBC website, children will access BBC iPlayer and be able to view for a week after broadcast a selection of programmes in an area separate from other channel programming. In addition, some programmes will be available for up to 13 weeks as ‘series catch-ups’ (stacked).

The service, due to launch today (Friday 19 December), is an extension of the award-winning BBC iPlayer which has received more than 250 million requests to view BBC programmes since its launch last year. The service will restrict inadvertent access to non-children’s programming and provides a dedicated area that puts children’s viewing priorities first the beeb say.

“The iPlayer for CBBC is central to fulfilling our ambitions for CBBC as it enables us to provide programmes for children whenever they want to see them – not just when we choose to schedule them. Children already live in the fully interactive and on demand world and this important launch means CBBC can be there for them.” Richard Deverell, Controller of BBC Children’s

There are a significant number of requests each day for CBBC content on the main BBC iPlayer. Following comprehensive user-testing, the design, produced by a combined team of children’s interactive experts from BBC Vision and video-on-demand specialists from the BBC’s Future Media and Technology division, has been specifically optimised around how children navigate the web in a different way to adults, relying more heavily on visual cues rather than text navigation.

“Over the past year we made BBC iPlayer available on a wide range of mobile phones, portable media players and gaming consoles, allowing our audience to experience BBC iPlayer programmes around the house and on the move. However, we realise that a lot of those devices are primarily available to adults, so today we’re pleased to unveil a version of BBC iPlayer specifically for children.” Anthony Rose, Controller, Vision and Online Media Group

The BBC’s Children’s department is a leading exponent for child-safe internet products that reflect the concerns of children growing up in Britain today and works extensively to promote home-grown content. Following a soft launch of the new service, the BBC iPlayer for CBBC will be supported by an on-air marketing campaign in February.

You can access iPlayer for CBBC in one of these ways:

 

Go to the CBBC web site (bbc.co.uk/cbbc) and click on the iPlayer link shown there.

On the main BBC iPlayer site, when playing a CBBC programme, a link to the same programme on the iPlayer for CBBC site will be offered.

You can access iPlayer for CBBC directly at bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbbc.