get_iplayer

BBC iPlayer TV and radio downloader

TLDR

Search for programs

$ get_iplayer "[search term]"

Download a program

$ get_iplayer --get [index_number]

Download by PID

$ get_iplayer --pid [pid]

List TV programs

$ get_iplayer --type=tv "[search]"

List radio programs

$ get_iplayer --type=radio "[search]"

Set output directory

$ get_iplayer --output [/path/to/dir] --get [index]

Download in specific quality

$ get_iplayer --tvmode=best --get [index]

SYNOPSIS

get_iplayer [options] [search...]

get_iplayer downloads BBC iPlayer TV and radio programs from the BBC's streaming service. It provides search functionality across the iPlayer catalog, quality selection, and automated PVR-style scheduling for recording programs.
The tool can download both on-demand and live content, with support for subtitles and metadata. It maintains a local cache of available programs for faster searching and supports batch downloads.
Programs on iPlayer are typically available for 30 days after broadcast, though some content may have different availability windows based on BBC rights agreements.

PARAMETERS

--get index

Download by index number.

--pid pid

Download by program PID.

--type type

Media type (tv, radio, podcast).

--output dir

Output directory.

--tvmode mode

Quality mode (best, good, worst).

--radiomode mode

Radio quality mode.

--pvr

Run PVR scheduler.

--refresh

Refresh program cache.

CONFIGURATION

~/.get_iplayer/options

User preferences file for default options and settings.

~/.get_iplayer/presets

Custom quality and recording presets.

CAVEATS

Only works with BBC content and requires UK access. Programs expire after 30 days on iPlayer.