The BBC’s iPlayer enjoyed its busiest year ever in 2017, with TV fans streaming more than 3.3 billion programmes, including almost 4.8 million requests for the first episode of the acclaimed natural history series Blue Planet II.
Other hits included the opening episode of Tom Hardy’s Taboo (4.64m requests) and Doctor Foster series 2 (3.67m).
The year’s most popular shows were:
| Rank | Programme | Episode | Requests |
| 1 | Blue Planet II Series 1 | One Ocean Episode 1 | 4,768,000 |
| 2 | Taboo | Episode 1 | 4,464,000 |
| 3 | Doctor Foster Series 2 | Episode 1 | 3,677,000 |
| 4 | Three Girls Series 1 | Episode 1 | 3,588,000 |
| 5 | Blue Planet II Series 1 | The Deep Episode 2 | 3,560,000 |
| 6 | Sherlock Series 4 | The Six Thatchers Episode 1 | 3,445,000 |
| 7 | Peaky Blinders Series 4 | The Noose Episode 1 | 3,358,000 |
| 8 | Line of Duty Series 4 | Episode 1 | 3,114,000 |
| 9 | Apple Tree Yard Series 1 | Episode 1 | 3,112,000 |
| 10 | Three Girls Series 1 | Episode 2 | 3,098,000 |
2017 ended on a real high, with iPlayer enjoying its best month on record in December with 327 million requests – up 17% on the same month last year.
Growth was also seen in requests from connected TV devices, which were up 34% compared to December 2016, mobiles (up 19%) and computers (up 3%).
As previously reported, December’s growth was partly due to BBC bosses making a curated selection of top boxsets available, which viewers lapped up over the Christmas period.
Dan McGolpin, controller of programming and daytime for the BBC, said: “Viewers are using BBC iPlayer more and more and in 2017 we made that experience better than ever.
“They delved into landmark factual series such as Blue Planet II and were enthralled by a breath-taking range of drama, from Taboo to Doctor Foster.
“Over the festive period we provided unexpected treats, bringing back some well-loved boxsets for people to watch in their own time.
“BBC iPlayer now offers a broader range of relevant choices personalised for all and it will get better still over the coming year.”
Dan Taylor-Watt, head of BBC iPlayer, added: “It’s been an extraordinary year for BBC iPlayer.
“Boxsets were extremely popular, audiences loved watching, and whether enjoying a new series, watching a currently airing programme or indulging in a classic archive show, viewers seem to love it.
“We also showed one of our most visually spectacular programmes, Blue Planet II, in the best quality ever seen on the BBC, as well as making BBC iPlayer much more personalised.
“In 2018, we’ll be looking to build on these successes and continue to make BBC iPlayer a must-visit destination in its own right.”