iPlayer usage

The figures in this post about the rise in the use of the BBC iPlayer suggest that the lack of a downloading option isn’t deterring Apple users from using the service:

Speaking of Mac users, we make up 10% of all iPlayer users, compared to the dominant 85% of people using Windows PCs (no word on how their usage splits between streaming and downloads). The iPhone and iPod Touch, both of which can access a customised version of the website optimised for the handheld devices, have a strong showing too.

Presumably Apple users are making up for the lack of a downloading option¹ by watching more programmes online; it would be nice to see some hard figures comparing the amount of online programme viewing by Mac users compared to Windows users.

It would be tremendously useful if users were allowed to set up ’season passes’ and the like at the web site. That would require that users register and log in,² but for me that minor hassle would be a price worth paying for the increase in usability.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the iPlayer experience so far; the only drawback is that (presumably as a consequence of rights issues) the BBC can’t put out certain imported shows – Heroes being the obvious example – on the iPlayer.

1. I’d still like to see the BBC make downloading available to Mac (and Linux) users, but I’m not going to hold my breath. ^
2. It should go without saying that it ought to be possible to monitor programmes waiting for you via a personalised feed and a welcome page when you logged in. ^