iPlayer passes 10mn views on Virgin Media in June

July 21, 2008 - UK cable operator Virgin Media has revealed that there were 10.5mn views of the BBC's iPlayer catch-up service via Virgin in June of this year, following its launch on the platform in May.

Virgin also reports that it managed to attract half as many viewings as the BBC website during last month, with the BBC website attracting 20.4mn requests. The top ten programmes viewed on the iPlayer via Virgin Media included Eastenders, Doctor Who and children's show In the Night Garden.

"These early figures indicate a real appetite from viewers to access BBC iPlayer via their TVs and catch-up on their favourite programmes from the comfort of their living room," said Rahul Chakkara, Controller of TV Platforms for the BBC. "This initial success on Virgin Media underlines the multi-platform appeal of BBC iPlayer's proposition."

While Virgin made the service available in May via the red button interactive service, there were just 1.4mn views in this first month, and the surge in usage is attributed to Virgin making the iPlayer accessible through the electronic programme guide from June 1.