New to ipad - how ^exactly^ can I download a program from iplayer?

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

Just what the title says, really ... gradually finding more uses for ipad and now that dd's mobile dvd player doesn't work any more, I thought I could download programs onto the ipad for long car journeys, rather than pay £4+ to rent a film from the istore.
I have downloaded the bbc iplayer app and I can play programs, but don't seem to be able to work out how to save them for later.
Any idiots' guide type step by step instructions, please?

I suspect that is how it is designed to work and that it requires an internet connection in order to play.

Although when I just launched iPlayer to look, on the very fist screen it gives me the option to "download programmes to your iPad"!

Hello! Iplayer is mostly a streaming service- meaning you watch it over your Internet connection, but you cannot store it. They occasionally put a film or two on there for download, and there will be a very clear download button, but for the most part I'm afraid what you want can't be done this way.
I'm sure clever soul will be along to tell us an alternative service though!

(OMG! Pedant alert! It actually says download programmes to you iPad)

There's a tab which says download on the programme information. We used it loads on holiday last year and you certainly don't have to have an internet connection to play them back.

That is incorrect curls. On an apple device you can download and store anything for up to a month.

You have been able to do it for more than a year.

It doesn't work on android.

I've just looked and I can download lots of programmes, but not the Monsters V Aliens film.

Not all things can be downloaded due to rights restrictions. Often it is things like films not made by the BBC. They will stream though.

Not all programmes can be downloaded - if they can, the download symbol appears below the programme window and you just tap it to start the download. You need to be on wifi, not 3G to download.

Brief guide:

Open the iplayer app.
Click search, enter Swashbuckle (or anything else you know is available to download)
Click on the picture that appears
Under the picture that then appears, left side is the word Download
Click on Download
It will download whilst the app is active. If you close the app, the download will stop after a short period. It will resume downloading when you open the app and have an internet connection.

From the home screen of the iplayer app, downloads can be found by clicking on the Downloads icon at the bottom, towards the right.
At the top of the screen shown there is Queue and Downloaded.
Click those to switch between them... Queue is things being downloaded, Downloaded are the things ready to play.

If you cannot download anything.

Run iplayer app
Click on Downloads
Click on Queue
at the too of the screen is a slider which turns downloads on/off.

I did experiment with Monster vs Aliens ... maybe that was the mistake ... have lent ipad to friend for facetiming at midnight, so will try all ideas when it comes back.
Happy new year!