GetiPlayer

BBC iPlayer: Using GetiPlayer to download TV and Radio Content

The BBC’s iPlayer is arguably second to none when it comes to offering catch up facilities for TV and radio broadcasts. It does however have some limitations, including the need to sign up to get full access to content, and the forced expiry of any content you download after a set time period (usually 30 days). You also need to install additional software on your pc to view downloaded material - as yet BBC report on their website that this is not available for tablets and phones. 

As for most things, there is an easier way to get round all these restrictions and manage your downloads and viewing  more efficiently yourself - if you know how…….GetiPlayer.

This software has been around since the early 2010s and I have used it successfully for both video and audio broadcasts over the past 10 years. I would recommend it to anyone who regularly accesses iPlayer content, but is tired of seeing it expire before they get a chance to view it or listen to it. An added advantage is that any programme currently available on the iPlayer server can be accessed via its allocated Programme ID number (PID) – not just those recommended by BBC curators on the iPlayer website. Many of the audio broadcasts in particular are only available to listen live, and don't have download links available. You can however download any of them using GetiPlayer..read on if you want to see how.

The following article is designed to show you how to set up and use GetiPlayer on a Windows pc (Windows 7 and later versions). 

The software runs via a command-line processor interface. Although this aspect of GetiPlayer may appear a little daunting at first sight, once you are familiar with its layout and have installed the necessary tools, you will be able to download video content as unrestricted .mp4 video files in minutes. The files can be downloaded with or without subtitles, as required.

Audio content can also be downloaded from the iPlayer servers – due to the complexities of linking GetiPlayer to the 'ffmpeg' video/audio converter, and the slow conversion speeds, I recommend downloading audio files as ‘raw’ .m4a files and then converting these yourself to .mp3 (e.g. via Lame XP or other conversion software which recognises  .m4a files). You can however convert downloads to .mp4 ‘in situ’ using GetiPlayer and the ffmpeg converter in combination, and the instructions in the guide include an explanation of how to set up and use a getiPlayer preset to do this.

The take home message is: Don't just stream it...download it - and then keep it for as long as you want.

If you're interested in exploring this excellent tool a bit further, download the file 'GetiPlayer_setup.pdf' from the downloads page and read on.

Best of luck,  and enjoy your new-found viewing freedom....

 Version Date 21.3.23