Topic: BBC mulls iPlayer licence

[Clive]

The BBC is considering plans to change the TV licence to stop people getting a 'free ride' through the iPlayer.

Plans were outlined this week by a senior BBC executive to the Broadcasting Press Guild.

Erik Huggers of the BBC said: "If you are using the iPlayer you have to be a television licence fee payer. If you are consuming BBC services then you have to be a licence holder."

At the moment, you need a TV licence to watch live television content through the BBC's website but not to use the iPlayer service.

But the BBC is unhappy that many people are able to access catch-up content without paying and have proposed either introducing a special iPlayer licence or increasing the cost of the TV licence to cover the iPlayer.

A third idea is that the iPlayer could become a subscription service. However, the plans are far from solid at the moment.

[Simon]

I think it would be most unfair on people who don't use iPlayer, if the general licence fee was increased to cover it.  I see this as pure greed from the BBC, and they should have thought of this before introducing iPlayer in the first place.   

[GillE]

Perhaps some sort of TV license number check could be made when people use the iPlayer, without incurring additional costs?  After all, I can use either a bank, a cash dispenser or an on-line facility to manage my money and it doesn't cost me any extra for having multiple facilities at my disposal.

The BBC ought to be doing likewise - or perhaps they're looking for ways to cover the lost income from BBC Worldwide now the regulators have spotted this lucrative cash cow.

[sam]

I think it would be most unfair on people who don't use iPlayer, if the general licence fee was increased to cover it.  I see this as pure greed from the BBC, and they should have thought of this before introducing iPlayer in the first place.   

absolutely pure greed, I some times think the BBC, like our government, thinks we are their personal bank. For f***s sake! come on lets have a bit of intelligent thinking for a while. You offer the service, if it costs too much then cut it. I hate this country at times. Gosh I can't wait to try living in Canada for a while.

[Rik]

You may never come back, Sam, if you like it as much as friends of mine did. In your position, I would go and stay, this country has little to offer you.

[sam]

You may never come back, Sam, if you like it as much as friends of mine did. In your position, I would go and stay, this country has little to offer you.

apart from the young lady... need her to come too

[Rik]

I was wondering how things stood on that front, does she want to go?

[Clive]

She goes all doey eyed when she looks at him Rik.   

[Rik]

Say no more.

[sam]

alas, not really... she wants to be near family / she is starting a PhD here in Birmingham next autumn...  but in the longer term who knows (I'm only on a two year contract anyway!)

[Clive]

If she's been offered the chance to do a PhD at Birmingham then she has no choice but to stay.  Long distance relationships are much easier these days!   

[sam]

indeed!