The BBC revealed last month it has no current plans to bring the iPlayer app to the new Apple TV set-top box. Boo!
Considering the iPlayer is pretty much everywhere else, the Beeb’s continued snub of Apple’s platform remains a huge mystery.
Anyway, perturbed by this news, a team of independent developers set out to show just how easy it would be for ol’ Auntie to bring an app to the Apple TV if it so desired.
So, during a hack day, they discovered how the iPlayer API works and built an app. In nine hours. And published it to code-sharing site Github.
The team has no plans to release the tvOS app to the App Store (it wouldn’t be allowed in anyway) and says the project is merely a proof of concept to see what could be achieved if the BBC decided to embrace tvOS.
“The app we’re publishing here was built in just under 9 hours at a hack event to prove it could be done,” wrote Phillip Caudell on Github.
“It’s by no means complete or perfect, and it’s very much a proof of concept.
See also: Apple TV (2015): Everything you need to know
Presumably, the Auntie Player will be able to run on jailbroken Apple TV devices if users decide to crack open tvOS once picking up the new Apple TV set-top box, which goes on sale next week.
Meanwhile, the BBC continues to advise users to rely on AirPlay if they want to watch Match of the Day on their Apple TV.
Here’s check out the video demonstration published by the developers.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
