Quick Answer

Can you download videos from BBC News?

Yes, you can. But unlike downloading videos from other websites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Medal TV, and Dailymotion, saving videos from BBC News is relatively complex because the URL of the video is not easy to find.

Luckily, this article covers the step-by-step guide on how to do it, including finding the URL of the BBC video and downloading the video from the BBC website to your computer.

However, please note that downloading BBC News videos may violate the site's terms of use or copyright policies, so ensure your actions comply with legal and ethical guidelines. Read on to get the details.

How to Get the URL of BBC Video

Download Videos from BBC with a Video Downloader

Download Videos from BBC with Extension

Download Videos from BBC with youtube-dl GUI

Part 1. How to Get the URL of BBC Video

As we mentioned earlier, you'll first need to find the URL of a BBC video. Then, you can download it with the video downloader introduced in Part 2. Now, let's get started to find the URL of your video.

Method 1. Copy the URL from the Share Button

Tap the Share button below the video and choose "Copy."

Method 2. Copy from the Address Bar

Sometimes, you can copy the BBC News video link directly from the address bar.

Method 3. Inspect Video Link

• Open the article containing the embedded video on BBC News.
• Launch your browser's Developer Tools

1. On Windows/Linux: press F12
2. On macOS: press Cmd + Option + I

• Switch to the Network tab, then start playing the video.
• In the filter/search box, type .mpd or vod-dash.
• Find an entry like pc_hd_abr_v2_dash_master.mpd.
• Right‑click > Copy address (URL).
• Use that URL in tools like youtube-dl, yt-dlp, or a download manager — this gives you the direct video stream link.

Part 2. How to Download Videos from BBC with a Video Downloader

Once you've got the URL of the BBC video you want to download, it's time to download it with this video downloader for Windows - EaseUS Video Downloader. As a versatile video downloader, it can help you download BBC videos, BBC iPlayer videos, and BBC Reel.

Besides BBC videos, it also saves videos from over 1000 video streaming sites, including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, and more. More download formats and qualities are allowed to be chosen. Moreover, it supports bulk downloading, YouTube subtitle downloading, and format conversion.

⭐Key Features of EaseUS Video Downloader

• Download from 1000+ sites like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, etc.
• Save in high quality — up to 8K/4K resolution
• Extract audio in MP3 or WAV
• Batch download videos, playlists, or channels
• Download subtitles (when available)
• Convert to MP4/MP3 and other formats
• Fast and easy to use with a clean interface

To download videos from the BBC website. 

Step 1. Copy the video URL of BBC News.

Step 2. Open EaseUS Video Downloader and configure basic settings.

Step 3. Tap "Paste Link" to start downloading.

Step 4. Find the downloaded BBC News videos under the finished tab.

Part 3. How to Download Videos from BBC with Extension

Video DownloadHelper is a popular browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that helps you download videos and images from websites. It works by detecting media files playing in your browser — once a video is detected, the extension shows a button you can click to download the file.

⭐Key Features:

• Supports 1000+ websites (e.g., news sites, social media, streaming platforms)
• Allows downloading videos in various resolutions and formats
• Can capture audio-only streams or subtitles
• Supports batch downloads and file conversion (with the companion app)
• Easy-to-use interface, no coding or technical skills required

⚠️Limitations:

• Does not support YouTube on Chrome (due to Google policy)
• May not work on sites with DRM-protected content (e.g. Netflix)
• Some features (like format conversion) require the Companion App

Step 1. Add Video DownloadHelper to your Chrome.

Step 2. Go to the BBC News video and play it. Download CoApp if required.

Step 3. The extension will automatically list all video resources available. Choose your preferred video quality from the dropdown and download.

Part 4. How to Download Videos from BBC with youtube-dl GUI

youtube-dl is a free, open-source command-line tool that lets you download videos, audio, playlists, and subtitles from YouTube and 1000+ other websites. But it runs through a terminal (command line), which can be confusing and intimidating for non-technical users.

To make youtube-dl easier to use, the community created youtube-dlg (also written as youtube-dl-gui). It's a graphical interface for youtube-dl — so you can use all its powerful features without typing commands.

youtube-dlg is a simple, lightweight app for Windows and Linux that provides a user-friendly interface to download videos using youtube-dl or yt-dlp in the background.

⭐Key Features

• Paste and download video URLs with one click
• Supports single videos, playlists, and channels
• Choose video format, quality, or audio-only
• View download progress and logs
• Works with both youtube-dl and yt-dlp backends
• Set custom output names and folders

⚠️Limitations

• Still relies on the underlying command-line tools
• No built-in video player or preview
• May need to manually update youtube-dl/yt-dlp backend
• Doesn't support DRM-protected content (e.g. Netflix, BBC iPlayer)

Step 1. Download youtube-dlg from https://github.com/oleksis/youtube-dl-gui.https://github.com/oleksis/youtube-dl-gui.

Step 2. Copy the BBC News video link and paste it into the field.

Step 3. Set up location and video quality.

Step 4. Click "Add" and hit the download button.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Downloading BBC News videos without permission raises both legal and ethical concerns. Legally, BBC content is protected by copyright, and downloading videos outside official platforms (like BBC iPlayer) may violate its Terms of Use and UK copyright laws, especially if done using third-party tools or from outside the UK.

Ethically, it can undermine content creators, misrepresent original journalism, and bypass fair access models intended for streaming.

For responsible use, it's best to stream directly from the official site or app, or use proper embedding and citation methods when sharing.

The Bottom Line

As mentioned above, you can download videos with EaseUS Video Downloader with ease. Before downloading, you will first need to get the URL of the BBC video. Then, copy and paste it to the Address bar of EaseUS Video Downloader and download it with ease. 

That's all about our guide on how to download BBC videos. We hope our guide is helpful to you. If you have any questions about this topic, don't hesitate to contact us to help you out.

FAQ

Why won't BBC let me download?

• Not in the UK – Downloads only work if you're in the UK. VPNs might not help if they're blocked.
• Show isn't eligible – Live shows, sports, or rights-restricted content can't be downloaded.
• Wrong device – BBC stopped downloads on PC/Mac. Use the BBC iPlayer app on a phone or tablet.
• App issues – Outdated app, OS, or bad internet can block downloads. Try updating, reinstalling, or switching Wi-Fi.

How do I download a clip from BBC Sound?

• Open the BBC iPlayer app on your mobile or tablet.
• Find the show you want to download.
• Tap the episode you're interested in.
• Tap the "Download" button (if available).

Note: If there's no download option, the episode is likely stream-only due to content restrictions.

Can I download from BBC iPlayer and watch abroad?

Yes, you can watch BBC iPlayer downloads abroad or offline — just follow these steps:

• Be in the UK and connected to the internet.
• Open the BBC iPlayer app on your phone or tablet.
• Download the programme(s) you want.
• Go to the "Downloads" tab at the bottom of the app.
• Watch them anytime — offline or anywhere in the world!