MSE News: Watching BBC iPlayer on catch-up to require a TV licence 'soon'

[Deleted User]

chattychappy wrote: »

What about the "loophole" whereby I can pay good money for a TV licence, pop overseas, and find that I'm blocked from watching any TV on iPlayer because of digital rights issues...?

The license fee doesn't cover overseas viewing, so I fail to see any point to you mentioning that.
You have no entitlement to BBC iPlayer abroad..

chattychappy

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

The license fee doesn't cover overseas viewing, so I fail to see any point to you mentioning that.
You have no entitlement to BBC iPlayer abroad..

It is presented as a "loophole" that presently you can watch iPlayer (catchup) without needing a licence and that this is a "loophole" that needs closing.

Since we're in the business of closing loopholes, I see it as a "loophole" whereby I can buy a licence and still be denied content simply because of where I am.

Cornucopia

chattychappy wrote: »

... "loophole" ...

Is both an overused and often misused word.

callum9999

chattychappy wrote: »

It is presented as a "loophole" that presently you can watch iPlayer (catchup) without needing a licence and that this is a "loophole" that needs closing.

Since we're in the business of closing loopholes, I see it as a "loophole" whereby I can buy a licence and still be denied content simply because of where I am.

I also hate the loophole where I buy a TV license in the UK but can't get a freeview signal in Outer Mongolia.

chattychappy

callum9999 wrote: »

I also hate the loophole where I buy a TV license in the UK but can't get a freeview signal in Outer Mongolia.

Ha ha ha. I wouldn't hate that. But I would hate it if having received the signal there was something in the signal to prevent me watching it.

ANYWAY, I was being a bit facetious. I agree that the term "loophole" is overused. If the BBC is going to start charging for catchup etc., then I think some sort of portable subscription that works wherever you are using a device would be great.

Some years ago, whilst working in Taiwan I made a short trip back to London, I went into the BBC shop and bought some DVDs. Must have spent £100 or so. Told the bloke I was taking them back to Taiwan with me. All rather expensive, nothing discounted. Got back home, and none of the DVDs worked because of region coding. Hadn't worried because on a previous trip to Japan, a DVD I had with me worked there. Turned out that Japan is in the same "region" as the UK. Eventually I got a local to make region-free copies of the discs. Never bought anything from a BBC Shop since.

As it is, there are torrent groups and proxy servers for getting around restrictions. Just hope that whatever scheme the BBC devise, they come up with a method which enables people to pay a subscription/buy a licence and do what they reasonably want to do (eg watch a bit of the BBC whilst they are away).

minislim

donnac2558 wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

So just because you don't like the big costume dramas they excel at, nature problems etc. They are sold worldwide and raved about. Its you not living in the real world. Top Gear, if that is your bench mark for excellence really says it all.

costume dramas? they're all of much the same. which is a waste of money really.
the wildlife programs maybe a bit more interesting but they dont seem do many of those anymore.

and as for benchmarks. top gear? doctor who? two of the most watched programs the bbc sell worldwide! hahaha! :rotfl:

Cornucopia

chattychappy wrote: »

Just hope that whatever scheme the BBC devise, they come up with a method which enables people to pay a subscription/buy a licence and do what they reasonably want to do (eg watch a bit of the BBC whilst they are away).

I think they will definitely do that, if they can bring in some more money. However, it's likely that the offering will always be different to UK BBC channels because of differing rights for sport, films, etc.

VisionMan

Thank you.

Cornucopia wrote: »

This policy change has been on the cards for several years, and actually, of the various plausible options available, I think it's probably the common sense approach.

It won't threaten the status quo too much, but will address something that the BBC has had (probably unjustified) concerns about for some while.

And I agree.

VisionMan

chattychappy wrote: »

What about the "loophole" whereby I can pay good money for a TV licence, pop overseas, and find that I'm blocked from watching any TV on iPlayer because of digital rights issues...?

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

The license fee doesn't cover overseas viewing, so I fail to see any point to you mentioning that.
You have no entitlement to BBC iPlayer abroad..

I agree.

chattychappy wrote: »

It is presented as a "loophole" that presently you can watch iPlayer (catchup) without needing a licence and that this is a "loophole" that needs closing.

It was closed quite some time ago. The iPlayer now blocks any and all VPNs for the prevention of overseas viewing.

As a side note they have passed the codings on to others. So expect ITV, CH4 & 5 to follow suit in due course. (Netflix and Amazon Prime have also announced they too will be introducing VPN blocking at some point in the future. Way off topic but you get the point).

Kim_13

If they are requring a licence for BBC catch up only then logic dictates that those that watch non-BBC channels live should not need a licence. There are two ways of separating/grouping TV: BBC and not, Live and Catch Up. The government wants it both ways and presumably the only remedy they'll have (if they even bother) will be to require a licence for the whole lot, non-BBC catch up too.