BBC to stop allowing downloads on web clients (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68283165)

[ProcessConsulting]

Do not file a bug report if you are using get_iplayer outside the UK. If you do, your report will be ignored.

• I am not using get_iplayer outside the UK

Do not file a bug report if you are using get_iplayer with a VPN or proxy from any location, including the UK. If you do, your report will be ignored.

• I am not using get_iplayer with a VPN or proxy from any location, including the UK

Search the repository (search field at top left) to see if a report already exists for the bug in the issue tracker. Do not create a duplicate report. Duplicate reports will be ignored.

• I have searched the repository and found no existing reports of the bug in the issue tracker

Review recent open and closed entries in the issue tracker to see if a report already exists for the bug. Do not create a duplicate report. Duplicate reports will be ignored.

• I have reviewed recent open and closed entries in the issue tracker and found no existing reports of the bug

Ensure that you are using get_iplayer 3.35 or higher. If not, your report will be ignored.

• I am using get_iplayer 3.35 or higher

Identify the operating system and version where get_iplayer demonstrates the bug

All

Provide a clear and concise description of the bug. Do not paste get_iplayer output or screenshots into the field below. If you do, your report will be ignored.

BBC have announced last week that they will be decommissioning all non-app web based downloads, such as via browser. see notification from BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68283165
Is this expected to break functionality in get_iplayer?

Provide the PID or URL of the programme you are attempting to download, if applicable. Provide the PID or URL for only one programme.

No response

Provide the complete get_iplayer command line that demonstrates the bug. Do not truncate or excerpt the command. If you do, your report will be ignored. If you are using the Web PVR, list the steps necessary to reproduce the bug, in as much detail as possible.

this is not applicable. please see description

Drag your verbose log file into the field below to create an attachment. Your verbose log file must be added as an attachment. Do not paste its contents into the field below. If you do, your report will be ignored. You may enter a URL linking to your verbose log file on a pastebin site. If the bug prevents get_iplayer from running, enter "N/A" in the field below. If you enter any other text in the field below, your report will be ignored.

The BBC's iPlayer streaming service is to end downloads for users who watch on desktop or laptop computers.

Programmes will still be available to download on tablets and phones via the mobile iPlayer app.

Currently viewers on PCs and Macs can save programmes via the iPlayer Downloads app, but that will be closed.

The changes were "due to the low number of people using it and the cost required to keep it going" the BBC said.

"This does not affect downloads on the BBC iPlayer mobile or tablet apps and viewers can continue to stream programmes on BBC iPlayer on their PCs and Macs," a spokesperson added.

The BBC has published a timeline of the planned changes:

2 February - new downloads of the BBC iPlayer Downloads app end
11 March - downloading programmes from the web will end. Users will still be able to watch any existing downloads until 8 April
8 April - the BBC iPlayer Downloads app will be closed
The corporation declined to reveal how many people would be affected by the closure of downloads for users of desktops and laptops, but the decision has attracted some criticism.

One user, Steve Gerrard, posted on X (formerly Twitter): "This is terrible news. I watch almost all my BBC shows on my MacBook."

Former BBC Journalist Robert Rea wrote: "This strikes me as a very bad move. Why would you want to make it harder to watch your programmes?"

Cord Busters, a site that covers streaming TV and first reported the change, noted that "some users have expressed regret that they were not even aware of the feature's existence until now".

Figures released last year show traditional TV viewing had its sharpest ever decline in 2022, according to the latest annual survey of UK media consumption by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

But the BBC has been keen to highlight "record" growth in digital services.

iPlayer now accounts for 18% of the BBC's total viewing, Ofcom found.

If you are using the Web PVR, provide your web browser name and version. This information typically can be found from the application menu via Chrome/Firefox/Safari->About... (macOS) or Help->About... (Linux/Windows)

No response