Close Menu
  • News
    • Broadcasting
    • Cable & IPTV
    • Digital Life
    • Terrestrial
    • Satellite
    • Streaming Sites and Apps
  • Cable & IPTV
    • Cable & IPTV News
    • Virgin Media channel list (Cable EPG UK)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (UK EPG)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Satellite
    • Satellite News
    • Sky satellite channel list (UK EPG)
    • Freesat channel list UK
  • Terrestrial
    • Terrestrial News
    • Freeview channels – England and Wales
    • Freeview channels – Northern Ireland
    • Freeview channels – Scotland
    • Freeview channels – Channel Islands
    • Saorview Channels (Republic of Ireland)
  • Resources
    • Freeview Updates
    • Satellite Updates (Astra 28.2/5E)
    • Watching another BBC nation or region
What's Hot

Concerns over internet TV switch to end Freeview

9 May 2025

Reduction in live cricket on the BBC

2 May 2025

Virgin Media offers free access to TV fitness app

1 May 2025
RXTV
  • News
    • Broadcasting
    • Cable & IPTV
    • Digital Life
    • Terrestrial
    • Satellite
    • Streaming Sites and Apps
  • Cable & IPTV
    • Cable & IPTV News
    • Virgin Media channel list (Cable EPG UK)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (UK EPG)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Satellite
    • Satellite News
    • Sky satellite channel list (UK EPG)
    • Freesat channel list UK
  • Terrestrial
    • Terrestrial News
    • Freeview channels – England and Wales
    • Freeview channels – Northern Ireland
    • Freeview channels – Scotland
    • Freeview channels – Channel Islands
    • Saorview Channels (Republic of Ireland)
  • Resources
    • Freeview Updates
    • Satellite Updates (Astra 28.2/5E)
    • Watching another BBC nation or region
RXTV
Home»Archive»BBC iPlayer fault: viewers told to check for update

BBC iPlayer fault: viewers told to check for update

27 October 2023

The BBC’s streaming services may not work as intended on a number of Freeview Play TVs as the broadcaster tells viewers to check for a software update.

  • 2019-2021 model TVs built by Vestel, but sold under various brands affected by the fault.
  • BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds may not play content if affected.

The BBC has notified users of the iPlayer and BBC Sounds of a technical issue that may stop the play back of content on their TV.

Engineers have identified an issue that affects specific models built by Vestel, a major Turkish manufacturer of TVs. Vestel doesn’t sell TVs under its own name, but manufactures TVs under licence to various brands, including Hitachi, JVC and Toshiba.

Is my device affected?

If you’ve got a 2019-2021 model TV that is struggling to playback the iPlayer or BBC Sounds, you may be affected.

The device model should be listed in the settings menu of your television. If it’s one of the following, then it’s affected by this particular issue:

vestel-tv_2021_mb180_g31_fvp
vestel-tv_2020_mb18x_fvp
vestel-tv_2020_mb180_fvp
vestel-tv_2019_mb23x_fvp

The ‘fvp’ suffix at the end of each line indicates “Freeview Play”. “x” represents a number, so for example “mb18x” could be mb180, 181, etc


▶ Can’t find the device model? Some devices don’t make it easy.

  • You may find a clue by going to Freeview Play channel 100.
  • Along the top menu navigate across to [Help & Settings] and select [OK].
  • In [Help & Settings], a line of five boxes appear. Select the middle box called [Get Help]. At the bottom right of the screen, you’ll see a device ID. The device ID “V19-MB230“, for example is the same as ‘vestel-tv_2019_mb23x_fvp’ on the list above.

What to do next…

If playback of BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds isn’t working properly, you should check for a software update.

An option for software updates may appear in the settings menu.

However, if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer of your device.

UPDATE 30/10/2023: The fault is now deemed ‘resolved’. Viewers should check for software updates if they continue having issues.


Marc Thornham

Updated 30/10/2023

Share this!
Previous ArticleNOW drops, but viewers flock to Disney+ and Apple TV+
Next Article Half of Disney+ subscribers opt for adverts

Related content

BritAsia TV leaves Sky this month

5 January 2025

Limited time deal: Disney+ discounts standard ads plan

29 February 2024

Sky wins RTS News Channel of the Year award

29 February 2024
Latest

Concerns over internet TV switch to end Freeview

Reduction in live cricket on the BBC

Virgin Media offers free access to TV fitness app

EE and Virgin Media remain ‘worst’ pay TV providers

NHK World-Japan drops off Virgin Media

RESOURCES
  • See the latest Freeview channel updates…
  • Get manual tuning information for satellite…
  • Find channels and their channel numbers…
  • View satellite service/frequency changes…
Freeview changes

23rd April 2025

New on Freeview

  • 287: Nolly Africa streaming channel [COM4/SDN]

Multiplex change

You may need to retune to reinstate this channel in your channel list.

  • 264: Alaraby Network moves from COM4/SDN to Comux/Local. (reduced UK coverage; some viewers may no longer be able to access this channel)

See more Freeview changes…

© 2025 RXTVinfo.com
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • About RXTV/Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.