pescarcena / apple-tv

A proof of concept Apple TV app to access on demand programmes from the BBC.

Auntie Player

An Apple TV app to access on demand programmes from the BBC.

Why do this?

A few weeks ago the BBC replied to someone on Twitter asking about there being an Apple TV app for BBC iPlayer. Here's what they had to say:

@benjaminmumford Hi Ben, there are no plans currently, but you should still be able to use Airplay http://t.co/qnaUSZIPis

— BBC iPlayer (@BBCiPlayer) September 12, 2015

This was a disappointing response — not just because we want to watch world class BBC programming on our Apple TV — but because they have a public responsibility to do so:

Make engaging digital content and services available on a wide range of digital platforms and devices.

—BBC Public Purpose

The app we're publishing here was built in just under 9 hours at a hack event to prove it could be done. It's by no means complete or perfect, and it's very much a proof of concept. It's our hope the BBC will release an official app for Apple TV, as they've made iPlayer available on a wide range of other set-top boxes and Smart TVs.

Will you submit this to the App Store?

No. This project is merely a proof of concept to see what can be achieved with the tvOS platform and the BBC's amazing content.

How did you work out how the BBC API works?

We used a mixture of snooping network requests from the iOS client and searching around for resources online. We found a great article from an engineer who worked on the API which helped us understand some of the concepts powering it.

Why Auntie Player?

Because Auntie knows best.