iPlayer for Xmas Day "consumer launch"

The BBC's iPlayer will get its "consumer marketing launch" on Christmas Day, the corporation has confirmed.

The on demand service will no longer be classified as beta and adverts to promote it will be rolled out.

The iPlayer was launched in beta in July and now provides 250 programmes per week to UK users.

It is currently available on the internet and is expected to roll out on Virgin Media's cable platform and mobile devices next year.

A spokeswoman explained the launch date would mean a strong line-up of shows was there for new users.

"From our point of view, it's all about the content available on the platform," she said. "The Christmas schedules are the richest time of year for TV programming."

She added: "Marketing launch means we'll be trailing the service on TV, radio and posters."