We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

MSE News: Watch BBC iPlayer? You'll soon have to log in

Options
BBC iPlayer will require users to set up an account and log in to use the service from next year, it was announced today....
Read the full story:
'Watch BBC iPlayer? You'll soon have to log in'
OfficialStamp.gif
Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

Comments

  • I don't like the idea of giving my personal details to TV companies (it's none of their business who I am!) so when I log in to the ITV hub I give a fake name (obviously made-up), an equally obvious non-existant email address, and a defunct post code. When the BBC requires me to login to the iplayer early next year, will giving such fake details get me into trouble? (I do, by the way, have a TV licence.)
  • jenniewb
    jenniewb Posts: 12,842 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Does this mean no downloading at the local library/community center? Even if I only want to watch things whilst I'm in the building?
  • giraffe69
    giraffe69 Posts: 3,604 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I logged into the bbc sport app last night and it asked me for postcode etc. No doubt a false one would only lead to news and weather from the wrong region. I also have a licence and use iplayer and couldn't care less if they have this detail.
  • Kite2010
    Kite2010 Posts: 4,308 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Home Insurance Hacker! Car Insurance Carver!
    Just use a fake name & address.

    Either that or "Mr L Mog" living at SW1A 2AA :rotfl:
  • VisionMan
    VisionMan Posts: 1,585 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    jenniewb wrote: »
    Does this mean no downloading at the local library/community center? Even if I only want to watch things whilst I'm in the building?

    You need to ask if they have a TV licence. If no, then no, legally.
  • S0litaire
    S0litaire Posts: 3,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I don't like the idea of giving my personal details to TV companies (it's none of their business who I am!) so when I log in to the ITV hub I give a fake name (obviously made-up), an equally obvious non-existant email address, and a defunct post code. When the BBC requires me to login to the iplayer early next year, will giving such fake details get me into trouble? (I do, by the way, have a TV licence.)

    Ermmm....
    If You already have a TV licence, why are reluctant to verify your postcode with them?!?!

    Don't they already have it? Unless you gave fake details when you got your licence.
    Laters

    Sol

    "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
  • jenniewb
    jenniewb Posts: 12,842 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    VisionMan wrote: »
    You need to ask if they have a TV licence. If no, then no, legally.
    They do. That's why I can watch on the PC screens they have or even the TV screen they have. I don't want to sit clogging up their PCs for people who no doubt have more pressing needs from the computers. So I watch on my phone in the caf! (attached to the library/community center). I've got no idea what the postcode is or whose name I'd use to access the iplayer. Wouldn't it be false representation/ID fraud to make up a name and postcode?
  • squeeks
    squeeks Posts: 309 Forumite
    The BBC should have put content that requires a TV licence behind a login or pay wall years ago.

    If you want anonymity you really need to avoid online services and rely on over the air broadcasts.
  • Cornucopia
    Cornucopia Posts: 16,477 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    jenniewb wrote: »
    They do. That's why I can watch on the PC screens they have or even the TV screen they have. I don't want to sit clogging up their PCs for people who no doubt have more pressing needs from the computers. So I watch on my phone in the caf! (attached to the library/community center). I've got no idea what the postcode is or whose name I'd use to access the iplayer. Wouldn't it be false representation/ID fraud to make up a name and postcode?

    There's no intention to use the data for Licence enforcement, according to the BBC. It's simply for a better user experience.

    Whether you believe that or not, they have no authority to punish people who enter false details beyond denying them access.

    Personally, I would like the BBC to just get on with locking-down iPlayer to a TV Licence properly, effectively and with the minimum of fuss. Drawing out the process over a number of years is just tedious for me, observing from the sidelines.
  • Nick_C
    Nick_C Posts: 7,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Home Insurance Hacker!
    Signing in to iPlayer should hopefully improve the service. I use iPlayer on two different devices. I've got different favorites and different viewing histories on the two devices. It would be nice if it was like Netflix and you switch device but carry on viewing from where you left off.

    I wouldn't like to be forced to watch only local programs though. I live 40 miles from London. I like to watch the local London News and the London version of the Sunday Politics.

    And I would hope they will link iPlayer to the TV license. I would like the BBC to move to a pay to view model, with different prices for different channels, including Radio.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.