Workshop: Catch up with TV using BBC iPlayer

Missed a favourite BBC TV show? Find out how iPlayer can come to the rescue

After a seemingly endless testing period, the BBC has officially launched its iPlayer software.

This is the BBC’s attempt at the sort of ‘catch-up TV’ service already offered by rivals such as ITV and Channel 4, allowing viewers to watch programmes that have been broadcast within the last seven days for free.

However, iPlayer uses digital rights management (DRM) to prevent piracy, so don’t expect to be able to copy programme recordings or even to store them permanently on your computer. It is intended only as a handy way of catching up on recent programmes that you may have missed.

Here’s how to download and use iPlayer.