Apple TV 4k and BBC iPlayer Subtitles not working

I recently purchased an Apple TV 4K 128 for my parents (aged 86 and 89) so that could access streaming services more easily. They have iPhones and iPads and are familiar with the iOS and iPadOS UI. They have access to streaming services via their LG TV but find the UI very confusing. 

Being in the UK they make use of the BBC iPlayer a lot of the time. They have used the BBC iPlayer app on their iPhones and iPads and due to their age and hearing deterioration they need to have program subtitles active.

Keen to improve their experience and get streaming services on their HD TV, I purchased, installed and configured an Apple TV 4K for them. Imagine my horror and disappointment when it became apparent that tvOS does not support subtitles within the BBC iPlayer app.  I wrote to the BBC who replied:

"Hello Steven,

Thank you for contacting BBC iPlayer support about subtitles for the Apple TV.

Unfortunately, subtitles are not currently available in iPlayer on Apple TV but the BBC will continue to discuss this issue with Apple.

The BBC makes available a standard version of iPlayer that all manufacturers can apply to make available on their devices. This standard version of iPlayer is used on nearly all connected television type devices and offers subtitles; that’s ninety-eight percent of iPlayer viewers on connected TV. Apple TV is the only connected TV device that does not use the standard version of iPlayer. Apple have chosen to remain on a legacy version of iPlayer for Apple TV which does not support the technology we use to deliver subtitles. 

A workaround for Apple TV users could be to access iPlayer directly on the television the Apple TV is connected to. If iPlayer is available, it will be using the standard version of iPlayer which supports subtitles.

I hope this helps explain. Thanks again for getting in touch with us about this.

Rebekah Erskine"

The suggested workaround involving the LG TV iPlayer app is not really viable as they find the UI too confusing.

For the sake of all people with hearing loss, could I kindly ask Apple to fix this long standing issue

#BBCiPlayer #subtitles