The BBC iPlayer is up and running now, working on both Windows and Mac formats. How well is it doing? Well, according to figures, magicked up by cleverer-than-me bean counters at the Beeb, it’s doing rather well. Since the launch, 3.5m programmes have been accessed on BBC iPlayer since Christmas Day.

“We are delighted with the public’s response to the BBC iPlayer,” said Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s director of future media and technology. “Attracting a million visitors, who’ve accessed over three and a half million programmes, within just two weeks is a wonderful start. Typically, people who use the BBC iPlayer are spending nearly half an hour a day watching streams of their favourite programmes, suggesting that it looks set to revolutionise the way BBC Television programmes are viewed in the UK.”

“Significantly, while the BBC iPlayer allows the public to catch up on their favourite mainstream BBC shows, it is also encouraging to see that nearly half of all programmes streamed or downloaded are placed outside the top 50, demonstrating how on demand services can bring niche programming to a wider audience.” Am I being thick or does some of that sentence not make sense?

Anyway, from Christmas Day to January 7, the top ten streamed programmes were: Doctor Who Christmas Special (broadcast December 25); Extras Christmas Special (broadcast December 27); Top Gear (broadcast December 23); The Catherine Tate Christmas Show (broadcast December 25); EastEnders (broadcast December 25); EastEnders (broadcast January 1); Sense and Sensibility (broadcast January 1); Robin Hood (broadcast December 29); EastEnders (broadcast December 31); and The Best of Top Gear (broadcast January 1).

During the period over 1m visitors used iPlayer, far over the original aim of 500,000 by April. BBC Vision director Jana Bennett said: “It is brilliant to see how audiences have enjoyed BBC programming across all platforms this Christmas. The iPlayer is a wonderful present, offering viewers the opportunity to catch up whenever they want.”

I know we at TVScoop have been using it as it gives you the opportunity to catch up with shows that may have been on at the same time as something else that is being reviewed. For the punter, this provides an opportunity to have a life (that means going outside and getting drunk and the like) and not miss any fave shows. Add to that, you can do some expert skiving at work! I imagine that the iPlayer will continue being a success and the figures will only rise from here. Also, with Kangaroo in the pipeline, it seems that the ‘net is going to be an integral supplement to the traditional way of watching the box.

Click here to catch up on your favourite BBC shows with iPlayer.