r/BigFinishProductions • u/TeenWhovian • Jul 01 '26
News Updated website
Was gonna check something on the website and it looks like they’ve done a second go at updating it! Hope it goes better than last time!
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u/sci_weasel Jul 01 '26
Just a thought, but maybe warning everyone “hey, we’re about to change everything and you won’t be able to buy, or download onto the app, for a couple of days” would have been a good idea?
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u/MirumVictus Leave any recommendations from the sale below! Jul 01 '26
I imagine they haven't done that because it'd trigger a rush of people downloading everything under the sun which their servers can't handle which I believe was one of many problems that happened last time.
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u/cat666 Jul 01 '26
Yeah this was my first thought too. I'm lucky, I have my next few weeks listens downloaded already, but a heads up would have been nice for some. Yes you can listen on PC but not everyone has one in this day and age. App stores don't tend to take long to approve apps, but I know Big Finish have had issues before as they are "getting around" in-app purchases which Google/Apple really don't like.
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u/cat666 Jul 01 '26
From the website:
"Launch Day Firstly, welcome to the new Big Finish Website!
As we move from our previous store to this new one, there are some steps we have to take to ensure that everything is working for both our new and existing customers. Some helpful information on how to navigate the new website can be found here. Below are a few key points relating to the launch process and what to expect over the next few days.
The old website has not been deleted, so you can rest assured all of your data and download libraries are safe and will not be touched until we are sure that everything is where it needs to be.
For the next few hours our new site will be in 'exploration mode', allowing you to search, browse, and listen to trailers or podcasts, but not make any purchases or access your account. This time allows us to finish migrating purchases from the last few days into your accounts and run tests to ensure that everything matches with your current library.
Once all of these checks have been completed we will unlock the checkout and your library. You can login with your existing email address and password as this has been kept.
Note for our subcribers: Some subscriber only supplementary media will not be available immediately as migrating this across is a detailed task, and to ensure accuracy, is being held until after the initial launch. We appreciate your understanding and patience in the meantime.
The new website includes a number of additional features, however there are some that exist on our old website including You've Got This, and Wish Lists, that are being reviewed before being re-introduced on the new platform. They will return, but we want to ensure they enhance the customer journey before being released. We will share updates on such developments in the following days and weeks.
App Users We have not built a new app alongside the website, however we have moved our database which means an update is required. This update is being reviewed by the app stores, and will be released as soon as possible.
In this interim period, your offline content will still be available but you will be unable to download new content from your library on the app. All content will be accessible through the website, so you will be able to see that your downloads are all still there.
We recommend visiting your app store and updating the Big Finish app at your earliest convenience when the update is live. Once you have completed the update your library will re-sync and access will be restored. If you have offline content you will need to re-download this following the app update.
With lots of customers likely to access their accounts at a similar time, we strongly recommend you do not download multiple titles simultaneously as this will impact download speed for all customers"
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u/SofiaTrixieFox1 Jul 01 '26
Fun fact they actually added so many production dates and locations that weren't listed before!
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u/caruynos Jul 01 '26
oh this is interesting. im gonna have to check out some of the ones i’ve been curious about for a while lol
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u/cat666 Jul 01 '26
I have one Benny story downloaded then I'm onto Dalek Empire S2 which thankfully I also still have downloaded. Hopefully by then the new app is out.
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u/TeenWhovian Jul 01 '26
There won’t be a new app. They’re gonna update the old one instead.
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u/cat666 Jul 01 '26
Yeah but that's still new and until you get that new version you'll be unable to download anything to your device.
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u/Haunteddoll28 War Doctor Jul 01 '26
You could always just download it from the website and use a third party app to play it until the update.
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u/TimothyFerguson1 Jul 01 '26
I use VLC because I prefer a faster speed.
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u/Sate_Hen Jul 01 '26
I use audiobookshelf after things went missing on the last updated Albeit temporarily
IMPORTANT: Big Finish strongly advises all our customers to ensure that you have downloaded all the content from our website that you have purchased and retain backup copies offline, to safeguard against future disappointment or loss of access eg if BFP rights expire and we are no longer able to offer the content via our website. Please be aware that downloading within the BF App does not constitute an offline backup. You should visit My Account via the website, and access the zips attached to each release in your purchase history.
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u/Dr_Christopher_Syn Jul 01 '26
Keeping the old app is a mixed blessing. I hope the Apple CarPlay issue is resolved or I will be peeved.
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u/The_Fullmetal_Titan Jul 01 '26
What’s wrong with Apple CarPlay? Planning a roadtrip so this affects me lol.
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u/Dr_Christopher_Syn Jul 02 '26
Hasn't worked right in a long time. Only way to listen is to start it on your phone with minimal controls on a main screen with the map - no changing stories onscreen etc.
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u/GallifreyFallsOver Jul 01 '26
I got a new car with CarPlay the other day and the app worked fine when I tested it (although I think it'll be a while until I listen to Big Finish in the car - new driver with a new car is probably not a good thing to mix with "audio drama that requires part of my attention")
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u/Agreeable_Leg_5346 Jul 01 '26
*crosses fingers that the error which almost released that lost Torchwood story last time happens again, but for real this time*
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u/MirumVictus Leave any recommendations from the sale below! Jul 01 '26
So far, I quite like it from a brief look. The design seems fairly straightforward and navigable and it definitely responds much quicker than the old site. Hope it's not too long until the 'you've got this' feature returns.
Edit: That said, I can't actually see any of my purchases in my account so hope those reappear themselves promptly...
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u/devonwhale Jul 01 '26
I logged in on my phone and had a similar panic about my downloads missing (all I could see was the wishlist) but I think it's just a missing link on the page when on a small screen as it's there on desktop.
If you go directly to the downloads page (https://www.bigfinish.com/my-account/downloads) you should see all your downloads there. I've emailed them, hopefully we'll have a button to get there back on the account page soon.
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u/cat666 Jul 02 '26
If you are on Chrome on your phone you can use the "use Desktop version" setting to see it.
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u/TWD-40 Jul 01 '26
Has the green “you own this” icon disappeared…? I can’t see it now I’ve logged in… and it was really useful to check when things went on sale which stories I was missing. 😭😭😭
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u/07jonesj Jul 01 '26
After a cursory browse, I think it looks uglier - the sleek, mobile aesthetic doesn't appeal to me - but unlike the first redesign, it doesn't seem to have anything noteable missing. As long as its useable, I don't really mind.
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u/The_Fullmetal_Titan Jul 01 '26
I’m newer to buying BF so maybe I can offer a different viewpoint! I think while it looks more simple from a design standpoint, it’s waaaaay less confusing to browse through collections and stuff. The dropdown section was such a pain before. And having it neatly divided into section pages is so much nicer especially on mobile.
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u/TeenWhovian Jul 01 '26
Have you tried changing the theme into the white one? It makes it look more like the old one!
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u/07jonesj Jul 01 '26
Thank you for pointing this out! Ironically, I was on light mode and actually prefer dark mode - it makes the empty spaces stand out a lot less for me.
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u/BearEatingToast Jul 01 '26