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How Innovify Supported BBC iPlayer

How Innovify Supported BBC iPlayer: From Complex DRM Requirements to a Faster, Leaner, High‑Performance Delivery Process

BBC iPlayer is one of the world’s most widely used video-on-demand platforms. To expand iPlayer’s capabilities, the BBC needed specialist product and technical support across DRM, compliance, delivery workflows, and internal team enablement.
Case Study

Client Overview

BBC iPlayer is one of the world’s most widely used video-on-demand platforms. It serves millions of UK viewers across mobile, web, tablets, and smart TVs, offering live channels, catch-up programming, and exclusive content without commercial advertising. To expand iPlayer’s capabilities, the BBC needed specialist product and technical support across DRM, compliance, delivery workflows, and internal team enablement.

Client:
BBC
Country:
United Kingdom
Platforms:
Cloud
Industry:
Media Platform

Challenge

Zilch set an ambitious goal: launch a fully compliant digital wallet in just four months. Innovify was tasked with building the platform from the ground up, fast, secure, and ready for scale.

The project came with critical technical and compliance requirements:

  • PCI DSS certification and FCA approval, ensuring full regulatory compliance
  • Ultra-low latency transactions under 250 milliseconds, delivering a seamless user experience.
  • Successful integration of multiple third-party APIs, including GPS, Xero, and CashFlows

The solution is cloud-native, API-first, and built for scalability, enabling Zilch to launch confidently and expand across the UK market. With compliance-by-design and optimized architecture, the product is ready for rapid growth.

Building a new product for the BBC iPlayer ecosystem required navigating several complexities:

  • DRM compliance across multiple devices, formats, and content types
  • Technical guidance on encryption, secure delivery, and platform compatibility
  • Regulatory considerations tied to rights management and content protection
  • Balancing strict DRM controls with seamless user experience
  • Improving internal delivery processes for faster roadmap execution

Users also relied on fragmented communication and long planning cycles, slowing delivery and increasing operational overhead.

Key Objectives

Deliver a fully functional digital wallet within four months

  • Define a clear, high‑confidence product roadmap
  • Introduce and implement Scrum across iPlayer teams
  • Enable internal teams to execute with higher speed and alignment
  • Provide deep consultative guidance on DRM architecture and implementation
  • Streamline requirements‑to‑delivery workflows
  • Reduce bottlenecks and accelerate product rollout timelines

Solution

Innovify began with a comprehensive discovery workshop to define scope, align stakeholders, and anticipate technical challenges. A dedicated delivery team was assembled to ensure speed and precision throughout the build.

Innovify began with a comprehensive discovery workshop to define scope, align stakeholders, and anticipate technical challenges. A dedicated delivery team was assembled to ensure speed and precision throughout the build.

Innovify began with a comprehensive discovery workshop to define scope, align stakeholders, and anticipate technical challenges. A dedicated delivery team was assembled to ensure speed and precision throughout the build.

Innovify began with a comprehensive discovery workshop to define scope, align stakeholders, and anticipate technical challenges. A dedicated delivery team was assembled to ensure speed and precision throughout the build.

Innovify engaged in full-stack product consulting for the iPlayer team.

1. DRM & Technical Advisory

Innovify provided:

  • Detailed guidance on DRM protocols, encryption strategies, and secure delivery
  • Integration recommendations tailored to iPlayer’s video-player architecture
  • Clarity on regulatory and compliance obligations
  • Insight into how DRM workflows affect UX and playback performance

This ensured the BBC could navigate DRM with confidence while maintaining a frictionless viewer experience.

2. Product Roadmap & Delivery Transformation

Innovify collaborated closely with BBC stakeholders to:

  • Build a structured, outcome-driven product roadmap
  • Establish Scrum ceremonies and workflows
  • Equip internal teams with the tools and practices needed for modern delivery
  • Oversee the transition from planning to execution with hands-on support
  • Improve communication channels and documentation standards

The approach emphasised transparency, iteration, and continuous alignment with strategic goals.

3. Lean Delivery Framework

Innovify implemented a lean delivery model to:

  • Re-engineer parts of the existing codebase
  • Prioritise highest-value features
  • Streamline document collaboration
  • Improve cross-team communication
  • Cut delivery cycle time by up to 70 percent

Technology Used

No items found.

Results

Zilch set an ambitious goal: launch a fully compliant digital wallet in just four months. Innovify was tasked with building the platform from the ground up, fast, secure, and ready for scale.

The project came with critical technical and compliance requirements:

  • PCI DSS certification and FCA approval, ensuring full regulatory compliance
  • Ultra-low latency transactions under 250 milliseconds, delivering a seamless user experience.
  • Successful integration of multiple third-party APIs, including GPS, Xero, and CashFlows

The solution is cloud-native, API-first, and built for scalability, enabling Zilch to launch confidently and expand across the UK market. With compliance-by-design and optimized architecture, the product is ready for rapid growth.

Innovify helped the BBC iPlayer team operate with greater clarity, predictability, and delivery speed.

Impact

  • Stronger DRM compliance confidence across formats and devices
  • Clear product roadmap enabling smoother execution
  • High-velocity delivery environment aligned around Scrum
  • Better coordination between product, engineering, and compliance teams
  • Major acceleration in requirements-to-release flow
  • Empowered internal iPlayer team equipped for long-term ownership
  • The BBC emerged with a more agile, technically informed, and performance-focused delivery organisation.
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