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Some of the most iconic British comedies from the past decades are coming to BBC iPlayer, and will be available in their entirety as box-sets. The list includes The Vicar Of Dibley, the ever-popular Blackadder, and more.
BBC iPlayer, for the few who need a refresher, is the BBC’s streaming service, which includes both catch-up programmes that recently aired on any of the BBC channels, as well as box-sets from the BBC archives and from around the world.
Don’t forget that while technically free, watching anything on BBC iPlayer (on any device) does require a TV Licence.
The first group of classic comedies joins the service on October 24, and includes:
- Every episode of Richard Curtis and Dawn French’s much-loved sitcom The Vicar Of Dibley.
- The critically acclaimed family sitcom The Royle Family, starring Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston.
- The hilarious sketch show that made a star of its star, The Catherine Tate Show.
Next month, two additional classic comedies will be available on iPlayer:
- Kathy Burke’s anarchic turn in the gleefully chaotic Gimme Gimme Gimme, will join the service on November 12.
- Every episode of the historical sitcom Blackadder, starring Rowan Atkinson, which is still hugely popular – and influential – almost 40 years after its debut. It will join iPlayer on November 14.
These new additions join a wide selection of classic comedy box sets already available on iPlayer, including French And Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous, The Kumars At No.42, Gavin & Stacey, The Thick Of It and more.
With many of the BBC’s classic programmes moving over to BritBox, which is a paid subscription service, it’s good to see lovable classics getting the “free” treatment on BBC iPlayer.