BBC iPlayer is Finally Coming to Apple TV

In its bid to bring programming to the largest possible audience, the BBC supports all manner of hardware and devices for its popular iPlayer service. iPhone and iPad owners have been able to stream on-demand for some time, but the company never completed the set by making it available natively on Apple TV. Now that Cupertino's new streamer is up for pre-order, however, the Beeb has decided to put everyone out of their misery: it today announced that a dedicated iPlayer app is coming to Apple's latest set-top box.

Details are scarce, all we know is that the app will be made available "in the coming months." In a statement to BBC News, Director General Tony Hall said: "Available on over 10,000 devices, BBC iPlayer is one of the biggest and best on-demand video services in the world, and has transformed how UK audiences watch programmes online. I am delighted that iPlayer will be coming to the new Apple TV in the coming months, helping to bring the BBC's distinctive and loved content to an even wider audience."

The reason for the BBC's change of heart likely comes after Apple finally decided to open up app support inside tvOS, allowing developers to extend their iPhone and iPad apps or create new software for the new Apple TV. Plans may also have changed after the Beeb confirmed it would finally launch a streaming service in the US next year, which will include content US viewers "wouldn't otherwise get."