Millions of Britons could be left without access to BBC iPlayer tomorrow as the streaming service faces a major technical disruption. The outage, expected to last several hours, could impact viewers relying on the platform for live broadcasts and on-demand content.
What’s Causing the Outage?
The BBC has cited a critical system update as the reason for the temporary shutdown. Engineers are working to implement essential security patches and performance upgrades, but the process requires a complete service suspension.
When Will the Service Go Down?
The blackout is scheduled to begin at 3:00 AM BST and could last until midday. The BBC advises users to download any must-watch programmes in advance to avoid disruption.
Which Devices Are Affected?
The outage will impact all platforms, including:
- Smart TVs
- Mobile devices
- Tablets
- Gaming consoles
- Web browsers
Viewers attempting to access iPlayer during the downtime will see an error message with information about the maintenance.
What About Live Events?
The timing coincides with several scheduled live broadcasts, including morning news programmes. The BBC has assured viewers that alternative arrangements are being made, though details remain unclear.
A BBC spokesperson stated: "We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to restore service as quickly as possible. This essential maintenance will ultimately improve reliability and security for all users."
This marks one of the most significant disruptions to BBC iPlayer since its launch in 2007. With streaming now accounting for over 60% of BBC viewing, the outage could affect a substantial portion of the broadcaster's audience.
