The man in charge of BBC iPlayer and technology at the Beeb has said he wants to expand the licence fee even to those who only watch on the web.
Currently, a licence fee isn’t required to watch BBC iPlayer as programs on it aren’t streamed live as they air on TV. But BBC director of Future Media and Technology Erik Huggers says that even if you don’t own a TV but still use BBC iPlayer (On your iPhone, say), you should still pay the £139.50 annual levy.
“My view is that if you are using the iPlayer you have to be a television licence fee payer. I don’t believe in a free ride. If you are consuming BBC services then you have to be a licence holder,” he said this week.
Of course this, wouldn’t affect households with TVs already, but the BBC Trust has warned that viewing habits are changing, with a generation emerging that prefers TV streaming on demand via BBC iPlayer and other services.
Out Now | £free | BBC iPlayer (Via The Register)
is it april fools day or what pay for iplayer. he must be of his head
Oh Mr Huggers, you’ve got it all wrong. Why on earth didn’t you suggest allowing overseas access to iPlayer and charging for that?!
What, no licence fee required to watch online? Considering I can hook my Macbook up to my TV and watch via iPlayer, 4OD, ITV, Channel 5, Sky Player (possibly) and loads more surly I may as well cancel my licence? I only really watch one or two programs a week and a few Blu-rays…
Pay a fee, the web and whats on it should be free for all,
CDC
Every household with a TV licence should be entitled to watch BBC IPlayer and other TV catch up services on the internet, without having to pay more. Include a pin number or bar code on a TV licence which can be used to watch TV catch up services, and anyone else without a TV licence would legally have to pay an individual fee, which would be the total amount of the licence fee divided by 365, which would allow the fee paying viewer a full day to watch TV on the internet. They would like us to pay twice for something we have already purchased – it’s daylight robbery, don’t let them get away with it.