What's the difference between streaming and downloading?

Streaming is the quickest and simplest way to start watching a programme and details on how to use it are here. By selecting Click to Play on the programme information page, you can watch it straight away.

You need to be connected to the internet for the full duration of the programme, so if you require subtitles, want to watch offline, or experience better playback quality, downloading may be better for you.

To download programmes you need to install BBC iPlayer Desktop on your computer or, if you have a Windows machine, you may also get Windows Media Player downloads and Portable Device downloads. As downloads can be large you may want to check with your internet service provider (ISP) to find out about any download or upload limits you may have.

You don’t have to be connected to the internet to start watching a downloaded programme. You can store a downloaded programme for up to 30 days in your Download Manager; you have seven days from when you start watching a programme until it expires.

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