Limited iPlayer release for 'Heroes'

The BBC will carry the third season of Heroes on iPlayer but rights issues will restrict availability, it was confirmed today.

Episodes of the cult hit's third volume, Villains, will be available online exclusively via the web streaming version of iPlayer. Only the BBC Two transmission will be carried on the service; Sunday repeats and BBC Three broadcasts will be excluded.

The BBC said that because of specific rights restrictions, "we cannot offer Heroes on Virgin Media, Wii and iPhone and iPod touch" but that it is "aware of demand".

"The Click to Play (streaming) version... is the most widely used and most popular way to watch BBC iPlayer programmes, so most people should still be able to watch Heroes," the corporation added.

Previous seasons were not available on any version of iPlayer.

> Read our preview of Heroes: Villains