THE BBC has announced plans for shows to appear on its iPlayer before they are broadcast on TV and for the introduction of a BBC1 plus one channel.

New director-general Tony Hall said the BBC had been through "tough times" after "very serious failures" over Jimmy Savile and executive pay-offs. But the former Royal Opera House boss said it was time to "harness the energy of the YouTube generation".

His announcements include more investment in the arts and changes to BBC iPlayer to allow viewers to watch shows before they are screened on TV.

Under current rules, viewers do not have to pay the licence fee to use the iPlayer unless they are watching live shows. Now iPlayer will be transformed from a catch-up to an online TV service, with viewers able to create their "own evening schedule".

Viewers will be able to catch up on shows for 30 instead of seven days and audiences will "get personalised recommendations" and rate programmes which "will influence what we commission", Lord Hall said.

Flagship channel BBC1 is to have a catch-up "plus one" service. People will also be able to buy, watch and keep BBC shows, such as old classics, through BBC Store.

Lord Hall also announced plans for music content with a new service, Playlister, to allow people to compile lists of tracks they have heard on the radio or on TV.