How can I find programmes?

Whether you’re new to BBC iPlayer or just looking to get more out of it, here are some of the ways to find great programmes to enjoy.

The choice of programmes available depends on who's watching. If you're using an adult account, you'll have access to all of our programmes. If you're watching through a child account or profile, programmes will be limited to CBeebies, CBBC and other family-friendly BBC shows.

Live streams

Live streams of all of our channels can be found in the Channels menu. Simply choose the channel you'd like to watch and select to watch live or, if available, to watch from the start. 

Some live streams are online-only. These can usually be found:

  • On the homepage
  • By searching for the programme
  • In Categories, for example the Music category for live music, or the Sport category for live sport.

Search 

If you know the name of the programme you want to watch, you can search for it using the search bar. You can find it:

  • On the website: Look for the 'Search iPlayer' box on the top right of any iPlayer page. 
  • On the mobile/tablet app: Tap the magnifying glass at the bottom to find the 'Explore' menu. The search bar is at the top of this menu.
  • On the TV app: look for the magnifying glass icon on the left-hand menu of the TV app

If there is a current live stream of the programme you're looking for, for example Tennis, Euros or Glastonbury, the option to watch live will appear when you search. 

Screenshot of the top menus on the BBC iPlayer website, with the search bar highlighted on the far right

Homepage 

You'll see the best of what's on offer on our homepage. The programmes at the top of the homepage are our featured programmes, and we'll let you know about exclusive live streams here, too. Keep scrolling to see your Continue Watching list, the Most Popular programmes on BBC iPlayer at the moment, programmes we've recommended for you, our specially curated iPlayer Channels and our top categories such as Comedy, Box Sets, and Documentaries. 

If you're signed in with an under-13 account or profile, all programmes displayed on the homepage will have been shown before the watershed on BBC TV.
 

Image of the BBC iPlayer TV app open on the homescreen. The 'Home' icon is highlighted.

Menu 

You can use the menu options to find more programmes to watch. You can find live TV channels, TV Guide, categories and more in the menu on the top of the iPlayer pages on the website, on the left menu bar on the TV app and in the 'Explore' menu on the mobile/tablet app. 

Screenshot of the 'Explore' menu on the iPlayer mobile/tablet app

TV Guide

You can find the TV Guide:

  • On the website: Select the 'TV Guide' header on the top of the page.
  • On the mobile/tablet app: Tap 'Explore' on the bottom menu in the centre, and choose 'View TV Guide.'
  • On the iPlayer TV app*: Select 'Channels' from the menu, choose the channel you'd like to view, scroll down and select 'Schedule' to view the guide for that channel. 

*Please note, there is no TV Guide on the iPlayer app for Apple TV.
 

If you can't find the programme you're looking for, have a look at our programme availability FAQs and you may find the reason why.