BBC plans iPlayer overhaul featuring AI assistant Iggy

The BBC is planning a significant overhaul of its iPlayer streaming service to better compete with platforms like Netflix. New director-general Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, recently outlined a vision to transform the platform from a catch-up service into a primary streaming destination.

Key features being developed include ‘Iggy’, an AI agent designed to recommend and summarize programs, and even communicate with users in multiple languages. Other proposed updates include a personalized ‘hero’ image on the home screen driven by algorithms, and a ‘Vegas mode’ that allows users to have the service randomly select a show for them.

Manon Dave, head of future world design in the BBC’s Media Tech unit, presented these concepts to staff, aiming to modernize the user experience. The BBC intends to begin testing some of these features with viewers in the coming weeks.