I have tried the Raspberry Pi with XBMC and the quad core CS918 Android box. Both do the job but the CS918 is tidier and an easier device to use. Most come loaded with apps to give UK TV and are usually a portal for Filmon services anyway. Get one with a full bluetooth mini keyboard, its easier and lets you do lots more than the basic remote. They are also good for playing back recorded stuff and I have invested in a little NAS hard disk which plugs into the router. I dump all my programs and movies on there and use the CS918 to play them in full HD. Neither device uses appreciable power.
Also recently discovered that piratebay hosts all the TV programs you missed so I'm stocking up instead of waiting another year for iPlayer to indulge me!

Point about iPlayer is that most progs are only available for a week. As I travel quite a lot I keep missing episodes or programs I wanted to see. They often come back on iPlayer but maybe have to wait for 6 months or a year. Also, the recordings have to be watched within a month and then they lock out. Sometimes I dont realise that a series is on until Ive missed a couple of episodes.
Torrenting them lets me catch up and keep things I want permanently.

Doesn't get a very good write up ?