BBC iPlayer is lagging behind Netflix and Disney+ on user experience but beats its other rivals, a watchdog has said.
The National Audit Office (NAO) report rated iPlayer worse in terms of picture and sound quality, and said that streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ recommend content easier and have more functional subtitling than the BBC. However, the NAO said iPlayer has better picture and sound than rivals All 4 and ITVX (formerly ITV Hub).
The report also showed that Spotify scored significantly higher than BBC Sounds, in terms of both personalisation and usability. But, BBC News Online users had a similar experience to using other news outlets.
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The BBC have reduced the amount of money spent on their digital products like iPlayer and BBC Sounds, compared to previous years. In 2019/20, it spent £109 million and in 2021/22 spent £98 million on products, compared to the £1.7 billion Netflix spent in 2021.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “(The BBC’s) products are performing well compared to other, better-funded, media organisations. Stronger digital leadership structures in particular will enable the BBC to make the improvements it needs to its approach, if it is to maintain this success in a fast moving, global media market.”
In 2021/22, 25% of 16 to 34-year-olds watched iPlayer compared to Netflix on 55%, NAO said. The BBC also saw 81% of young people tune into its broadcast services on average per week.
Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the committee of public accounts said: “The proof will be in the pudding, and it has its work cut out. To guard against being left behind, (the BBC) needs to improve its governance and leadership of digital services.”
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A BBC spokesperson said: “The NAO finds the BBC’s digital performance is impressive, with more people coming to iPlayer, Sounds and our online services than ever before, but there is more to do. We’re driving digital reforms across the organisation to provide people with the BBC content they want, in the ways they want it.
“We have a clear vision for a digital-led BBC which we will continue to deliver on and provide even greater value for all audiences.”
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