APP OF THE WEEK: 17 cert, BBC Worldwide, iPad ****

As far as this global iPlayer app goes, the only similarities it shares with the UK service is the name and a few of its programmes. Instead of being limited to a seven-day catch-up service, the international app is more like being given the key to the BBC archive. The editorial team has chosen 1,500 hours of programming to begin with, spanning everything from classics such as Only Fools and Horsesand Fawlty Towersto the more recent Lutherand Little Britain. There's news and documentaries, nature programmes, crimes and drama shows. And there's a promise of about 100 new hours of programming every month to tempt viewers. The app has been designed with the iPad in mind, and it's easy to navigate your way through the content, through genre, editorial collections created by BBC, or A-Z.You can download shows to your iPad, which is useful as the service needs a decent internet connection and can only be used in 11 European countries at the moment. The content you can access also depends on existing agreements BBC has within the countries. While the app itself is free, the full service is subscription only. It costs €49.99 a year or €6.99 a month. Given the range of content, it's worth it.