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The beta service streams programmes broadcast over the past seven days to their browser, though unlike the Windows version, there is no facility for downloading programmes to watch at any time within 30 days.

The BBC's belated decision to adopt the streaming technology was prompted by <

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widespread criticism of iPlayer's Windows-only capability, which ultimately forced the government to step in.

The BBC has been told it must make its iPlayer platform neutral, though it continues to argue that finding a DRM solution will be difficult, as it utilises Microsoft's copy protection technology, that is only available on Windows.

The BBC has announced that the iPlayer will come out of beta on Christmas Day. Concerns have been expressed over the numbers of support staff available over the holidays, but a Corporation spokesperson reassured us that it "is confident it will be OK".

iPlayer is live at bbc.co.uk/iplayer.