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HTML5 allows us to deliver audio and video content to web browsers without using a third-party plugin such as Adobe Flash
How it works
We're using HTML5 along with MPEG-DASH in this beta. MPEG-DASH is a streaming technology and an open standard for media distribution.
Why the beta?
We've been working to add MPEG-DASH functionality into our existing HTML5 Player, and upgrade it to make it usable on desktop, phone and tablet.
Supported devices
As well as desktop browsers, we expect the player to work with Android 4.4+ and newer Amazon Fire OS devices when a compatible browser is used.
Safari 10, Apple iOS, Android Nougat, Windows 10 Mobile and BlackBerry users will get the HTML5 Player by default, as will compatible desktop browsers where Adobe Flash is not installed or enabled.
Your feedback is important to us
We'd like your help to test the new beta player and provide us with feedback.
Find out more
Visit our blog post for more information about the beta.
Technical questions
Where can I use the HTML5 Player beta?
The HTML5 Player will work everywhere our content is available in MPEG-DASH. This includes BBC iPlayer and iPlayer Radio for on-demand programmes, and on live streams of regular BBC broadcast channels such as BBC One. However it is not available on live streams of events only available online, such as sports or music festivals.
What browsers and devices will the beta work on?
We've tested the player on the following platforms and devices which we expect to work:
- Google Chrome
- Firefox 43 (49+ recommended)
- Safari 10 on macOS Sierra
- Opera 32 on Windows and Mac OS X
- Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10
- Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
The page says to try another browser. Why can't I opt in?
Due to limitations in browser and device technology, there are some places where we know the beta won't work. In these cases, this page does not allow you to opt-in to the beta. We're currently aware of issues preventing us from supporting:
- Internet Explorer on Windows 8.1 or older
- Safari on Mac OS X El Capitan or older
- Opera on Mac OS X 10.8 or older
- Opera and Firefox on Windows XP or older
- Windows Phone 8.1 or older
- Android 4.3 or older
- Samsung browser ("Internet") on Android devices
There are other browsers and platforms which we haven't tested, but where the beta may work. We've published a blog post explaining the technologies the player uses and why we can't support some environments.
Why is the feature I wanted to use missing?
Development of this HTML5 Player is still ongoing, but we wanted to make it available as soon as we could, so some features haven't been implemented yet, such as the Music Played feature in BBC iPlayer. We're working to get these in as soon as possible.
Does this mean you're dropping support for Adobe Flash?
We recognise that many users will rely on our Flash player for some time to come. We plan to continue supporting Flash on the desktop for at least the next few years.
This is partly because playing video using HTML5 requires a more powerful computer than Flash, and we don't want to leave behind those users who cannot, or do not wish to, upgrade.
However, it's also because we need to ensure all content is available using MPEG-DASH.
When will you use the HTML5 Player by default?
Over the next few months we'll be regularly releasing updates to fix bugs and improve performance, as well as to implement advanced features such as Music Played in the HTML5 Player.
We'll decide when to make the HTML5 Player the default across the BBC website once the features are fully implemented, we've got the bugs squashed, and enough content is available via MPEG-DASH.
Get in touch
If you have any feedback on this beta, please email mediaplayer@bbc.co.uk — we can only respond to comments rregarding playback whilst opted-in to the HTML5 Player at this address.
For any other comments or concerns, please use the BBC contact form.