BBC to finally bring iPlayer app to Windows Phone ... kind of

For months, UK-based Windows Phone owners have been asking if the BBC would bring its iPlayer video streaming services to their smartphones. In May 2012, a BBC spokesperson denied that such plans were in the works. Today, it appears that the famous TV network has had a change of heart.

In a post on the BBC's Internet blog today, Cyrus Saihan, the head of the network's business development, announced the good news that Windows Phone smartphone owners would soon be able to download a way to access iPlayer. He said, "We will be releasing a shortcut to BBC iPlayer in the near future which will be available in the Windows Phone Store, enabling the BBC iPlayer website to work on Windows Phone 7.5 and 8 via a live tile."

Saihan said that the iPlayer app was made possible through some kind of deal with Microsoft, but did not go into details. He added, "This shortcut will wrap the BBC iPlayer mobile website together with our media player. Hopefully these and other developments will help to expand our online reach further." There have been rumors that a bug in the Windows Phone OS was preventing the iPlayer media player from working with Microsoft's operating system. Today's BBC blog post did not address the rumor.

A specific launch date for the Windows Phone BBC iPlayer was not announced.

Source: BBC