Oh jesus feck BBC....
...I am an avid user of XBMC (now "Kodi") as it is *the best* media front-end bar none. Why don't I use a browser? Because a browser on the TV is feckin' crap, that's why!
Why don't I use the "Smart" features of my TV? I don't have a "Smart" TV, but even if I did I would still use XBMC as it link to the other content on my network.
Why don't I use iPlayer on the set-top box? Because for some STUPID reason, it doesn't allow me to watch films.
Do I download videos via the iPlayer plug-in? No, I just watch 'em and move one.
If you are upset with "get_iplayer" etc, why not take some of the energies you just wasted in going and write something better for XBMC et al.
edit: There are workarounds it seems. Hopefully the community will deliver what the BBC refuses to (despite the BBC being paid millions to provide a service).
I wonder when the BBC will start trying to detect VPN usage....