How To Download TV Programmes

If you are planning to download your favourite television programme from the BBC you need to know a bit about how peer-to-peer (P2P) software works and how it uses space on your computer. Read our guide in full below to find out:

About P2P software

P2P means that once you have downloaded the programme you become part of the network where other iPlayer users can access the content to download.

You need to be aware that P2P software will work in the background of your other computer functions and will eat up your usage limit. Because of the way that BBC iPlayer and Channel 4’s 4oD, and Sky (www.sky.com) Anytime, work they will continually upload and download data as long as your computer is on. These programs can look like they’ve been turned off even when they’re still running in the background. You might not even be able to find them in your task bar.

These programs - and the iPlayer in particular - have faced a rash of criticism from broadband providers because they are so bandwidth demanding, but there is a reason that they use P2P file sharing rather than traditional download methods.

Tips to help things run smoothly

• Change your configuration settings so that you are not part of the P2P network.



• You could try disconnecting your computer from the internet when you to use it for non-internet work, or uninstalling the software each time you want to stop it.



• Consider file sizes – most sites, including the BBC iPlayer will state the size of files you can download. Consider whether you are likely to break your limit. The point is when programmes are uploaded from your PC, the usage all adds up – which could result in your hitting your download cap.



• Use our Broadband Downloading Monitor to check usage. Check how much you download on monthly basis, you may benefit from upgrading or downgrading your package. http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband-download-monitor.html



• Keep an eye on family members – According to a 3rd party Omnibus survey we commissioned, 82% of parents rely on verbal agreement with their children to control their behaviour online - yet 48% of children confessed to downloading music and photos. Parents should certainly consider installing parental control software (eg McAfee / Norton).



• Think when you download – many ISPs would prefer you to download “off peak”, in the case of many ISPs they will not even count downloads in the “small hours” against your usage cap

Download Penalties

Even if you have an unlimited download cap, you will also have a fair usage policy, which that imposes penalties for ‘excessive usage.’

ISP penalties include reducing connection speeds, restricting usage at peak times, or charging for excess usage. In extreme cases your ISP might terminate your contract, cutting internet access until the user can establish a new connection.

Programme availability

• Sky Anytime allows viewers to download and stream programmes from Sky. The shows are only available for a week after transmission.



• BBC's iPlayer only allows you to download and watch a programme up to one week after you have downloaded it.



• Channel 4 on demand is free for the last 30 days of television which means if the programme aired in the last 30 days you can download it.

Statistics

BBC programmes have been streamed or downloaded more than 17 million times since the broadband TV service was relaunched on Christmas day, according to BBC figures. The most popular shows available on the catch-up iPlayer - such as Tortchwood, Ashes to Ashes and Doctor Who - are each attracting around 50,000 hits per day. The BBC iPlayer, which was improved from its beta version before being relaunched, has also helped to boost visits to the BBC website. Traffic to BBC.co.uk increased by 29 per cent year on year for January - a total of 20 million unique viewers a week.

As well as the new BBC iPlayer statistics, the BBC revealed that its free download service is to be made available on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch.

Illegal options

Consumers should be wary of illegal options for television programme downloads. The BBC recently reported that the Motion Picture Association of America sued and shut down several illegal piracy sites. When users now log onto the websites, the message “You can click but you can’t hide” pops up.

To know if a download is illegal, watch out for the following:

• Content is produced by a 3rd party and not the provider



• Content is sub-titled



• Content does not load and stream properly



• Content is not backed by a major network or movie studio such as MGM

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