VIDEO: iPlayer launches on Xbox Live

The BBC’s on-demand platform iPlayer has launched on Microsoft’s Xbox Live games console platform in the UK, meaning it is now available on every major gaming platform.

The service is available free of charge. Today’s Xbox Live launch, together with the launch on Sky later this year, will bring iPlayer to millions of new users via the TV. The service is now available on over 450 platforms and devices including Virgin Media, BT Vision, FreeSat, Freeview, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, mobile phones, tablets and internet-connected TVs.

Xbox 360 users with Kinect will be able to search for and play iPlayer content using hand gestures and voice recognition.

Daniel Danker, BBC general manager, programmes and on-demand, said: “Xbox is hugely successful in the UK. Given the BBC’s goal to reach its entire audience, I’m particularly excited that the BBC will be bringing iPlayer to all Xbox users at no extra cost as part of Xbox Live’s free membership. As we continue our work to make BBC iPlayer as simple as possible, we’re also excited to experiment with natural user interfaces made possible with Kinect, including voice and gesture control. We believe it’s early days for these experiences, but see a great future working with partners such as Microsoft on innovations like these.”