BBC iPlayer notches up 10.5m views in first month on Virgin

BBC iPlayer was launched on Virgin Media's electronic programming guide on June 1.

Virgin Media is the first TV platform to make BBC iPlayer available in full screen picture quality, directly to its 3.5m TV customers.

The most popular BBC iPlayer programmes during June on Virgin Media were 'EastEnders', followed by 'Doctor Who', 'Holby City', 'Casualty' and 'Top Gear'.

Malcolm Wall, chief executive of content at Virgin Media, said: "Our customers are using BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media to watch the BBC programmes they want, when they want - from the most loved prime-time TV shows to children's series like'In the Night Garden'."

Rahul Chakkara, BBC controller of TV platforms, said: "These early figures indicate a real appetite from viewers to access BBC iPlayer via their TVs and catch-up on their favourite programmes from the comfort of their living room.

"This initial success on Virgin Media underlines the multi-platform appeal of BBC iPlayer proposition."

BBC iPlayer allows viewers to catch-up on over 350 hours of BBC programmes from the past seven days at no extra cost. There were over 100m requests to view programmes using the iPlayer online before the end of June.