BBC Works To Fix iPlayer And Website Problems

The BBC says it is working on a solution for technical problems that have prevented licence-fee payers from accessing programmes and videos on BBC iPlayer and on its website since Saturday.

Viewers hoping to watch programmes such as Eastenders and Formula One coverage have been greeted by errors, while a number of video clips on BBC News have also been unavailable.

BBC web tangle

“We’re aware of an issue which means some people can’t access certain parts of BBC Online,” a spokesperson told TechWeekEurope. “We’re working hard to fix this as soon as possible.”

The technical issues are also affecting the BBC’s homepage, with visitors to BBC.co.uk greeted by a simplified version of the usual index, bereft of usual features such as headlines and programme information.

“Due to technical problems, we are displaying a simplified version of the BBC Homepage,” reads a message. “We are working to restore normal service.”

The BBC has been subject to techproblems before, notably in 2011 when most of its websites experienced a complete outage, while its unrelated £98 million Digital Media Initiative (DMI) designed to produce digital content, has been declared a “complete failure” by MPs.

That debacle led to the departure of BBC CTO John Linwood last year, with the vacant position filled by the BBC’s controller of R&D Matthew Postage. Last week, the organisation detailed plans to transmit some of the upcoming Commonwealth Games using LTE eMBMS as part of a wider trial to see how new technologies such as 4G and IP networks can be used for broadcasting.

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