Viewers in the UK with Android phones will be able to catch up with their favourite BBC programs wherever they are when iPlayer is available to download.
TV shows could previously be watched through the iPlayer app with an internet connection, but will now be available to download for free and stored on the device for up to 30 days. Once viewers have pressed play, they will be able to keep watching for a further seven days.
The updated BBC iPlayer Android app are available in the Google Play Store and in the Amazon App Store.
Announcing the development in an online blog on the BBC website, David Berlin, a senior product manager at the corporation, said that 70 per cent of Android app users with compatible devices will be able to use the function.
It will be extended to new Android devices as well as some older ones over the next few months.
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He said that Android phones will have the ability to download programs while users are doing other things on the device, something that is not currently possible with iPhones.
"I'm really pleased that we are now able to deliver video playback quality parity with Apple iOS devices, support the full range of Android screen sizes, including tablet support and, as of today, enable mobile TV download functionality to Android devices," he said.
