According to data released by BBC iStats, requests for the VOD, catch-up and live TV service were up 8% on those for December 2016, its previous best-ever month, and saw over 50 million requests more than the same month a year ago. Drama enjoyed huge popularity in January 2017, with strong returning titles including Sherlock, with 3.3 million requests for one drama, and Silent Witness (1.5 million), and new dramas Taboo (2.8 million) and Apple Tree Yard (1.7 million) performing very well.

The personalisation plans were first announced in September 2016 but now those who sign in to their BBC account on connected TVs will start to benefit from a growing number of personalised features such as the ability to resume watching an episode or series started on another device. The functionality is initially available only to viewers with YouView devices, but will roll out to other connected TV devices, including set-top boxes, streaming media devices and games consoles, over the coming weeks and months. Further personalisation features including personalised recommendations will be introduced in the near future.

To further ease access, the BBC is rolling out a ‘Pin and Pair’ feature. This means that at sign-in, all users will need to do is select the person icon at the top of the screen on BBC iPlayer on a connected TV and then on a separate computer, tablet or smartphone, go to the web address displayed on the TV screen and enter the code on screen.

Commenting on the personalisation programme, Dan Taylor-Watt, head of BBC iPlayer, said: “Enabling sign-in on connected TVs and the rollout of new personalised features builds on the BBC’s strategy to make BBC iPlayer more personal across screens – letting you discover and enjoy programmes that are more relevant to you on the devices you use, whenever and wherever you use them.”