The BBC iPlayer app has reportedly stopped working on many of Samsung’s Smart TVs due to a software issue, the broadcaster has admitted.
Samsung TV owners may well see the following message when trying to use the service:
“In order to continue using BBC iPlayer, please ensure your TV has been updated with the latest software"
In some cases the issue can be fixed with a simple software update, but not all Samsung TV owners can download the fix just yet. Samsung said its latest patch will not work on some of its older TVs, such as the UE32S9AU, and that they’ll have to wait for a separate fix due next year. In the meantime they’re likely to be left in limbo over Christmas, unable to access to the BBC iPlayer via their TVs.
Samsung said on Twitter the issue was due to expired security certificates that verify the TV’s software has permission to access the iPlayer content library.
A total of 11 Samsung TV models from 2013 to 2015 are currently unable to receive the update, and will have to wait until “early 2020” for a fix, the company said.
The iPlayer app can still be accessed via alternative means, such as an independent media streaming box, though that may be a less than ideal solution for some owners.
The kerfuffle follows the news that several of Samsung's older products would stop working with the BBC iPlayer permanently.
“From Friday 6 December, BBC iPlayer is no longer available on some Samsung Blu-ray, DVD player and set-top box devices as they are unable to support the technical requirements needed to keep BBC iPlayer going,” the BBC said last month.
