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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's iPlayer streaming service is to end downloads for users who watch on desktop or laptop computers.

Programmes will still be available to download on tablets and phones via the mobile iPlayer app.

Currently viewers on PCs and Macs can save programmes via the iPlayer Downloads app, but that will be closed.

The changes were "due to the low number of people using it and the cost required to keep it going" the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ said.

"This does not affect downloads on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer mobile or tablet apps and viewers can continue to stream programmes on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer on their PCs and Macs," a spokesperson added.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has published a timeline of the planned changes:

The corporation declined to reveal how many people would be affected by the closure of downloads for users of desktops and laptops, but the decision has attracted some criticism.

One user, Steve Gerrard, (formerly Twitter): "This is terrible news. I watch almost all my ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ shows on my MacBook."

Former ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Journalist Robert Rea : "This strikes me as a very bad move. Why would you want to make it harder to watch your programmes?"

Cord Busters, a site that covers streaming TV and first reported the change, "some users have expressed regret that they were not even aware of the feature's existence until now".

Figures released last year show traditional TV viewing had its sharpest ever decline in 2022, according to the latest annual survey of UK media consumption by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

But the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has been keen to highlight "record" growth in digital services.

iPlayer now accounts for 18% of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's total viewing, Ofcom found.