get_iplayer is free, GPL-3.0 software for downloading programmes from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. It runs on Linux or BSD, macOS 10.10 or later, and Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11. Video downloads can reach 1080p, with MP4, M4A, MPEG-TS, and SRT output options; subtitles and batch downloads are supported. The utility indexes most catch-up programmes from the previous 30 days, excluding Red Button, iPlayer Exclusive, and podcast-only programmes. Regular-expression searches cover programme names, descriptions, and episode titles, with channel filters. Downloads can start from search results, programme IDs, or service URLs. PVR scheduling works with cron or Windows Task Scheduler, and HTTP proxies are supported. Perl 5.16 or later and listed modules are required. ffmpeg and AtomicParsley add conversion and tagging; without them, files remain raw streaming formats without metadata tags.
Who it is for
get_iplayer suits people who want BBC iPlayer or BBC Sounds downloads on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It is useful when subtitles, batch downloads, searches, or scheduled recording are needed.
What is good
- Supports BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds
- Downloads up to 1080p video
- Subtitle and batch downloads supported
- Searches with regular expressions and channel filters
- Works with cron or Windows Task Scheduler
What to know first
- No live BBC channel recording
- Many content categories are unsupported
- Requires Perl and listed modules
- Conversion and tagging need additional tools
Verdict
get_iplayer offers broad desktop support and multiple BBC download formats, with search and scheduling features. Its content scope and dependency requirements should be checked before use.
get_iplayer plans and pricing
All plansCompared on video downloaders
- Maximum video quality
- 1080p
- Supported sources
- BBC iPlayer; BBC Sounds
- Output formats
- MP4; M4A; MPEG-TS; SRT
- Subtitle downloads
- Yes
- Batch downloads
- Yes
- Device platforms
- Windows; macOS; Linux
