BBC iPlayer sees tablets trump computers for the first time ever

This time last month, we reported that access to BBC iPlayer on phones and tablets had almost caught up with desktop. Now, the BBC reports that on Boxing Day this year, iPlayer viewing on tablets overtook computers for the first time.

As you would expect, Christmas is always a busy period for iPlayer, with all kinds of records broken this time last year. Now, with tablets becoming increasingly ubiquitous, it seems many viewers turned to iPlayer to test out their fancy new iPads and Androids over the festive period.

It’s worth adding here that these figures don’t include Sky or Virgin Cable, as that data isn’t yet available. Nevertheless, this still means that tablets topped PCs for iPlayer viewing which is a major milestone to reach, and is a clear indication of where media-consumption is heading from a device perspective.

Around a million downloads were recorded for iPlayer mobile and tablet apps between the 21 December and January 1, adding to the 20 million downloads secured up to October 2013.

That all said, PCs actually overtook tablets again around the New Year period, so it will be interesting to see where this trend heads when January’s final figures are released next month.

➤ Christmas 2013 on BBC iPlayer