The Apple TV 2015 now has the official BBC iPlayer app in the UK although it still lacks a few features.
When the new Apple TV was unveiled earlier this year, Mac Rumors said the BBC has "no plans" then to bring iPlayer to the device. By the time it hit the market though, the British broadcaster changed its mind and said it would launch "in the coming months."
In doing so, the Beeb beat rival channels Channel 4, ITV and Five to offer its app in the fourth-gen Apple TV, according to CNET UK. While Sky TV programming have been available via the Now TV app, the website said it required users to pay subscription fees.
Before the BBC iPlayer app was made official, users had to watch their shows via Airplay though it was "difficult to rely on Apple's hardware as an 'input one' option," Wired said.
Now that it's out for the Apple TV 2015, the BBC reportedly said iPlayer can now run on more than 10,000 devices, including Android-powered devices. The app joins Apple TV's selection of over 2,600 apps.
"Christmas is a popular time for viewers to come to BBC iPlayer, as they unwrap new devices and browse and discover the BBC's fantastic Christmas programs," iPlayer boss Dan Taylor-Watt told TechnoBuffalo.
UK viewers can now catch the BBC's Christmas programming, including "Sherlock," "Doctor Who" and many more.
But the iPlayer app isn't without its drawbacks. For one thing, TB reported syncing progress across devices isn't in available in the app yet. That feature reportedly requires logging in to your account but that's not supported yet.
Pocket-lint reported Siri voice search "doesn't seem to pick up content in the BBC iPlayer app." Upon testing the feature, the website found it didn't show the relevant programming on the app.
For now, Apple TV 2015 owners will have to use text input to find their favorite programs.
The BBC iPlayer app is now available via the built-in iTunes App Store.
