BBC iPlayer has arrived on the new Apple TV, just in time for Christmas

iPlayer

Better late than never: the BBC iPlayer app is now available on the new Apple TV, just in time for Christmas.

The BBC has confirmed the app is now available to download, but only for owners of the latest Apple TV model. The app lets you view programs from the last 30 days as well as stream live BBC TV channels. However, the BBC told us that Live Restart won't be available on Apple TV.

Until now, Apple TV owners who wanted to enjoy iPlayer on the big screen had to stream content to their box inelegantly via an iPhone or iPad.

Meanwhile, iPlayer sat as a native app on Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and other streaming devices.

"With the launch of iPlayer on new Apple TV, I'm delighted we've been able to give people another way of accessing the full breadth and range of BBC programmes," said Dan Taylor-Watt, Head of BBC iPlayer.

"And, the updates to our mobile and tablet apps mean we can now deliver more personalised recommendations of BBC programmes to viewers, as well as the ability to stream BBC Store purchases directly from the iPlayer app."

Edit: The BBC has since clarified that BBC Store content can't actually be accessed from the Apple TV app.

Hugh Langley

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.

Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.