Whilst it is good to see the BBC finally supporting Linux users. For
anyone that doesn't already know, we had to wait so long that an OSS
alternative to the BBC download software exists that actually provides
more functionality.

http://linuxcentre.net/getiplayer/

No GUI I am afraid but no DRM on the downloads either..plus it can pick
up files past the download time limit, just a h.264 file you can watch
when you feel like it.

To use get_iplayer.pl "search string" will look at the site and return
matches. Adding a -g will download them.

Look in the help pages for more information, it is aware of what it has
previously downloaded so you can for example cron it with a list of
favourite programmes and it will work as a sort of retrospective PVR
getting the latest one as soon as it appears.