Live draw pulled from BBC1 with lottery show moving to digital platform

National Lottery players will soon need to check iPlayer to find out whether they have become millionaires as the live draw is being pulled from BBC1.

As of January 7 2017 viewers of terrestrial television will no longer be able to watch to see if their numbers come up - a new three-year deal between the broadcaster and Lotto operator Camelot has moved the show to a digital platform on Saturday nights.

Those hoping to win the jackpot can also check their results in bulletins to be aired after the news on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on the Red Button and Red Button+.

Saturday night's draw has been a regular slot on BBC1 since 1994, although the Wednesday live results programme was dropped in 2012.

Camelot's digital director Tim Copper said: "We're delighted to have signed this contract extension, maintaining the strong relationship that has flourished between The National Lottery and the BBC since The National Lottery's launch 22 years ago.

"As consumer habits show an unrelenting shift towards digital platforms, we're embracing these changes in players' results-checking habits - providing content that they can access at all times, across multiple different touch-points.

"But it's also great that we can continue to provide a service to those loyal BBC1 viewers who want their lottery results available at a regular time as they enjoy their favourite BBC shows. This new deal will allow us to do both."

Director of BBC content Charlotte Moore said: "This new deal reaffirms the BBC's commitment to The National Lottery and our ongoing relationship with Camelot.

"We both recognise the need to provide audiences with more ways to access the draw results across a range of platforms that reflect changing behaviour, while importantly retaining a home on BBC1 and continuing our support for the tremendous work they do through the Annual Awards show."

The contract extension, which starts from January 2017, will keep The National Lottery Awards on BBC1.

Now in their 13th year, the National Lottery Stars Awards recognise recipients of National Lottery Good Causes funding for the positive impact they have had on individuals and communities around the UK.

However, players will be able to head to Facebook to see the draw unfold on the social media site's first ever "appointment to view" programme for UK audiences.

The draw will stream on Facebook Live as part of a regular Saturday night show that will include lottery news, information about winners, behind-the-scenes features and special studio guests.

Mr Copper said: "We're delighted to be able to announce our new Facebook digital strategy - being able to offer National Lottery players the chance to watch a live Saturday night draw show within their Facebook feed is a hugely exciting development.

"It means we'll be able to give players access to the content they want to watch - when, where and how they want to watch it.

"We know players still love the live draw element of The National Lottery experience, but changing lifestyle habits and trends mean we have to change the way we offer them that experience.

"This new partnership will deliver exciting, unique, bespoke content to National Lottery players in the palm of their hands."