BBC announces 'simple and connected' iPlayer

The BBC has overhauled its iPlayer service to add in a whole host of new functionality, including improved quality and integrated social networking.

The UI has been revamped to make content easier to find and personalise - much like the main BBC website, with recommended content and shows your friends like all highlighted.

Twitter and Facebook support has also been added to let you post content to your wall or in your feed, as well as the ability to share and recommend content within the iPlayer itself.

An in-channel viewer has also been added to make it easier to channel hop whilst watching live streaming, so you always know what you want to see.

You can also set your favourite programmes to download ahead of time, with smart series linking making sure you can stay on top of your BBC favourites, with mobile remote recording on the way too.

Chat and watch

You can forward links to your friends while on Windows Live Messenger, allowing you to watch on demand programmes with your friends - with a time counter displayed to show where you both are in the show.

The BBC has promised that it will not be partnering with others in this venture, nor licensing out the technology either - however it will pushing viewers onto other on-demand services for shows.

So if you decide you like a Channel 4 programme you can add it to your favourites and when it turns up you'll get an alert from the BBC and then be sent off to the 4OD platform.

The new service is now live in beta form from a banner within the site, and will be available to all from late June or Early July.