8 Entertaining shows to watch on BBC Player right now

Tired of the same old spiel every time you turn on the telly? We get it, Hollywood’s penchant for big cars and bigger explosions can get tedious and repetitive. If you want to expand your entertainment content diet, we reckon a change of scenery will do you proper good.

Travel across the ocean to the land of fish and chips and endearingly fun accents to imitate all from the comfort of your sofa on the BBC Player. This multi-genre subscription-based streaming platform has everything you need for a brill’ time, from binge-worthy dramas and jolly comedies to world-class documentaries and even children’s shows.

Ahead, explore our top picks for the best British programmes from BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, BBC First, BBC Brit and CBeebies for your next viewing pleasure. 

Asia

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that BBC Earth produces some of the most astounding and visually impressive nature documentaries with the world’s foremost factual filmmakers. Filmed over nearly four years, Asia is the first BBC Earth nature documentary that is dedicated solely to the Asia continent.

Using innovative filmmaking techniques and heart-pounding narratives, Asia will tell the story of the biggest continent on Earth by unveiling its epic landscapes and spectacular wildlife. From the unexplored jungles of Indonesia and the polar wilderness of Siberia to the dense rainforests of our very own Sabah, it’s Asia like you’ve never seen before—masterfully narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough to boot. 

Watch Asia on BBC Player here.

Bluey

This award-winning children’s series went viral on social media for even making grown adults cry! Following an inexhaustible and imaginative six-year-old Blue Heeler dog, Bluey loves to go on fun and hilarious adventures with her younger sister, Bingo. It’s heartwarming, touching and designed to allow kids to learn through play and imagination. By the end of an episode, we guarantee you’ll be hugging your little ones that much tighter! 

Watch Bluey on BBC Player here.

The Great British Bake Off

Most of us remember the craze of this award-winning baking phenomenon when it first premiered in 2013 and now 15 seasons in, the hype has not waned! Every week, a group of amateur bakers face new challenges to ultimately win the title of Britain’s Best Amateur Baker. But hold on to your hats, this charming series does so without the typical competitive theatrics. No drama, no over-the-top editing—just a wholesome bake-off featuring polite British decorum!

Season 15 premieres on 30 November. Watch The Great British Bake Off on BBC Player here.

Joan

BBC First is the home of premium British dramas, all told from a unique British perspective. One such series that perfectly showcases this is Joan, inspired by the life of the UK’s most notorious jewel thief. Sophie Turner stars as Joan Hannington, a devoted single mother to her six-year-old daughter. Driven by her desire to create a better life for her family, she adopts new identities and makes new acquaintances along the way through her intelligence, quick wit and convincing performances.

Watch Joan on BBC Player here.

Douglas is Cancelled

What happens when your co-worker is suddenly cancelled by the public? Douglas and Madeline are co-hosts of a popular current affairs show, and audiences love their natural chemistry. However, Douglas’ life implodes after a tweet alleging he made a sexist joke goes viral. Is he truly guilty or a victim of cancel culture? And how exactly is Madeline caught up in it all? If you love that signature British dry humour and banter, this comedy-drama is chock-full of it.

Watch Douglas is Cancelled on BBC Player here.

ABBA: Against the Odds

BBC Player will also be introducing a slew of music documentaries featuring legendary icons. So if you’re an ABBA, Spice Girls or Kylie Minogue fan, you’re in luck! In ABBA: Against the Odds, explore ABBA’s musical evolution and legacy by reliving key moments through rare interviews and archive footage. Told by ABBA and those close to them, this documentary tells the inside story of the iconic quartet’s struggle through critical backlash, relationship break up, and social change to become the biggest pop group of the 1970s. 

Watch ABBA: Against the Odds on BBC Player here.

Kylie’s Secret Night

We all know Kylie Minogue as an award-winning singer with a larger-than-life personality on stage but Kylie’s Secret Night will show a different side to the iconic pop star. As a special treat, the Australian artist surprised her devoted fans as they gathered for an intimate Kylie-themed extravaganza. Hosted by comedian Alan Carr and in the presence of the Princess of Pop herself, audiences were treated to heartfelt and hilarious conversations, memorable performances and hidden camera pranks, all now available for your viewing pleasure. 

Watch Kylie’s Secret Night on BBC Player here.

Spice Girls: How Girl Power Changed The World

Spice Girls weren’t just a girl group. They were a movement, a statement against the dark world of pop music, money, sexual politics and misogyny. On the outside, five women become part of the most successful girl group of all time. But backstage, they are delirious with exhaustion, battling eating disorders and the target of exploitation and predatory ambition. What is the true cost of wealth and global fame? In this eye-opening documentary, cultural icons Spice Girls shows how femininity and girl power changed pop music and beyond forever.

Watch Spice Girls: How Girl Power Changed The World on BBC Player here.

BBC Player can be accessed via Astro or Unifi.

For more recommendations on what to watch, head here.

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