Record-breaking year for iPlayer

BBC iPlayer and iPlayer Radio have reported a record-breaking year in 2014 with 3.5 billion requests – 2.6 billion coming from TV and 860 million from radio.

The new series of Sherlock was the most popular programme with 4.2 million requests, followed by Top Gear (series 21) with 3.8 million and BBC Three’s harrowing film about domestic abuse, Murdered By My Boyfriend, with 3 million.

Cricket dominated radio requests, with the Test Match Special of England versus India on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra topping the table with 312,500 requests, followed by coverage of Manchester City with 295,300.

Mobile and tablet continued to dominate iPlayer growth, with a 51% increase in requests from tablets and a 32% increase in requests year on year from mobiles. Connected TV requests were up 13% year on year.

“BBC iPlayer is one of the BBC’s greatest inventions, pioneering on-demand viewing and listening for all audiences in the UK,” said Ralph Rivera, director of BBC Future Media.

“2014 was a great year for iPlayer – with a record-breaking 3.5bn programme requests, a brand-new version of iPlayer launched and the extension of the catch-up window from seven to 30 days. We’re looking forward to bringing fans even more in 2015.”