The BBC is to make TV and radio programming available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days.

The extension from the current seven-day catch-up window has been introduced in time for the traditionally popular autumn TV schedule, with shows auch as Peaky Blinders and drama The Fall.

The move came as the BBC revealed that Sherlock’s return from the grave is the most popular show on the iPlayer so far this year.

“BBC iPlayer pioneered online viewing,” said the BBC director general, Tony Hall. “Extending the catch-up window to 30 days now makes the best value on-demand service even better. We have a fantastic autumn schedule and the public will now have more opportunities to watch the shows they love.”

There are more than 7m requests for BBC iPlayer programming a day.

The BBC said the Sherlock series three opener had received more than 3.6 million requests on the iPlayer.

The Top 10 is dominated by Top Gear, includinng the controversial Burma special when Jeremy Clarkson referred to an Asian man as a “slope”.

Comedy Outnumbered and BBC3 drama Murdered By My Boyfriend also made the list.

Top BBC iPlayer programmes of 2014 so far

1. Sherlock Series 3 (episode 1 – The Empty Hearse) 3,643,900 requests

2. Top Gear Series 21 (episode 1) 3,535,600

3. Top Gear Series 21 (Burma Special – part 1) 3,340,700

4. Top Gear Series 21 (episode 3) 3,191,000

5. Murdered By My Boyfriend (one-off drama) 3,021,300

6. Sherlock Series 3 (episode 2 – The Sign of Three) 3,017,600

7. Sherlock Series 3 (episode 3 – His Last Vow) 2,916,900

8. Top Gear Series 21 (episode 2) 2,906,900

9. Outnumbered Series 5 (episode 1) 2,857,500

10. Top Gear Series 21 (Burma Special – part 2) 2,797,500