BBC Playlister service launches out of beta

The BBC’s recently announced music service, BBC Playlister, has now launched out of beta with two major updates added from the trial phase. 

The service, which lets listeners export music they hear on BBC programmes to online playlists, now also includes presenter playlists and integration with the BBC’s iPlayer Radio app.

The playlist function enables well-known names from the BBC to curate a selection of music choices that users can add to their own playlist. Currently 12 presenters, all DJs from across different BBC radio stations, are represented, with more to be added over time.

The iPlayer radio app integration means that Playlister functionality has also been added into the BBC’s native iOS and Android radio apps. This means users can add any piece of music from a live or on-demand programme stream to their personal playlist from within the app and can also view export tracks to two of YouTube and Deezer, with the BBC working to bring this functionality to Spotify users “soon”.

“This is the first time we have enabled log-in to BBC iD from within a native app. Today we are using a web view to do this, but in future we’re looking at alternative ways to allow even better integration between a native app and your BBC iD account,” said Chris Kimber, executive product manager, radio and music, BBC Future Media.

BBC Playlister first went live five weeks ago, with the service announced as part of director general Tony Hall’s new vision for the BBC. The BBC said it is now watching how people use the service so it can learn how to improve the product.