HD iPlayer lands on Virgin Media

The high-definition (HD) version of the BBC's iPlayer is now available to Virgin Media Digital cable customers.

HD content for the online version of iPlayer was launched in the middle of April but its arrival on Virgin Media's platform means it can be more easily accessed through the television.

Since iPlayer was first launched on Virgin Media's TV platform around a year ago, it has received more than 100 million view requests, according to the BBC, with 15 million this March alone.

Like the online iPlayer, selected content from the BBC HD channel - such as Doctor Who, Robin Hood and Later... With Jools Holland - will be available to Virgin Media users.

Katharine Burns Rivington, executive director of content acquisition at Virgin Media, said in a statement: "As more households become HD-ready, we're keen to ensure that Virgin Media customers benefit from the most advanced digital TV service possible."

Rahul Chakkara, BBC controller for TV platforms, added: "There's a real appetite for BBC iPlayer on TV screens and the addition of the BBC HD programmes further adds to its appeal."

It appears there will be even more features coming for iPlayer in future. The BBC's director of Future Media and Technology, Erik Huggers, said in a recent interview with silicon.com that he wants iPlayer to incorporate more social functionality.

Such has been the impact of iPlayer since its release that the BBC's independent regulator, the BBC Trust, recently admitted it may need to rethink how the TV licence is paid.