Need clever folk to advise

Well I watched this afternoon with no problems so can only presume it was a time problem or a room problem or something else altogether but thanks for all your suggestions l

Streaming and downloading have different technical requirements. When you stream from iPlayer, you are playing the programme as it is delivered to your iPad (this is a simplistic explanation). Video data are not really stored on your iPad, playing the video so you can watch it is handled by the iPlayer application (this takes up processing power too so an older iPad may struggle). On the other hand, if you chose to download an iPlayer programme, the video data is transferred to your iPad and stored there. It is then 'played' from your iPad.

So, a streamed video requires higher bandwidth because it needs to be played as it is recieved but, unlike downloaded videos, does not take up much storage on the iPad. If your broadband speeds are too low for streaming to your iPad, you could download your TV programme. Downloading may stop and start according to available bandwidth but the entire video should get downloaded and stored eventually.

You have a trade-off, higher broadband speed requirement or storage space on your iPad. Videos take up a lot of storage but you can delete them after viewing, freeing up the space again. It may be worth trying to download your programmes from iPlayer to watch after downloading has completed. However, if you don't have enough free storage space on the iPad, it won't work. If you have poor broadband speeds, with no resolution in sight, you might compensate by having a device with more (or expandable) memory and downloading favourite TV shows, viewing, then deleting them.

Ok thanks, I use my iPad and have been for a longtime without any problems always watched in bed either late at night or very early morning I don’t download the programmes so it shouldn’t have anything to do with space ,should it? I watch on bbc iplayer or itv, channel4 etc which I ve had downloaded for about two years without any problems
I ve just noticed it on the last two occasions but was really looking forward to watching this morning at 5 am but couldn’t continue too hiccuppy to follow

I am not as knowledgeable as Friday BlueBelle, but if you are using BBC iplayer it seems to take a while to get up to speed wherever you might use your device. I concur that the time of day also seems to effect the quality of streaming.

Just thought on. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or an Android-based smartphone or tablet, if you want to stream TV shows (or movies) on your mobile device, you need to have a continuous Internet connection. You’ll also need to download and install a specific app offered by a television or cable network, your cable or satellite television service provider, or a streaming service. These apps are all available, for free, from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or the Google Play Store (Android).

I think we’ve crossed posts BlueBelle

If you’re streaming then you do need a higher download speed. Speeds also vary during the day and it might be at this time of year there’s more activity around you locally. On the other hand, how much free space have you on your iPad?

I don’t know Friday how do I find out ? I seem to remember there’s some online test to do but I have no problem with my internet normally it doesn’t go slow or cut out or anything and only seems to have been a problem the last two times I ve tried to watch a bbc drama
My loading normally seems average speed

If not sure how to go this just google ^test downloaded speed* and choose one of the many options.

Just tested mind. Download 103.5 mbps Upload 5.34mbps

What’s your download speed?