MSE News: Warning: TV licence loophole could close this autumn

Frozen_up_north

Rather than take the IT solution of requiring iPlayer users to create an account, being given passwords, etc. The BBC took the easy route of having the law changed.

So I guess mobile phone networks, broadband and computer suppliers will soon be required to notify the BBC when you purchase from them (in the same manner as TV suppliers), so the BBC contractors have even more addresses to hassle.

The TV tax has run it's course, unfortunately our MPs haven't the guts to challenge the BBC and require them to provide a subscription service. Probably always claiming it would be hard for older folk to deal with viewing cards, on line accounts, etc.

Cornucopia

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Rather than take the IT solution of requiring iPlayer users to create an account, being given passwords, etc. The BBC took the easy route of having the law changed.

The BBC has also been "invited" to implement on-line login. It is by far the most effective approach.

So I guess mobile phone networks, broadband and computer suppliers will soon be required to notify the BBC when you purchase from them (in the same manner as TV suppliers), so the BBC contractors have even more addresses to hassle.

No. Not only is there no provision for extending the Dealer Notification to phones, BB, computers, etc., but also the requirement in regards to TV equipment was abolished in 2013.

The TV tax has run it's course, unfortunately our MPs haven't the guts to challenge the BBC and require them to provide a subscription service. Probably always claiming it would be hard for older folk to deal with viewing cards, on line accounts, etc.

There are two different issues:-

1. Adding on-line checks to iPlayer is trivial from a technology and usability POV. Sky, Netflix, etc., have had this since their very first offerings on the Web. IIUC, the BBC has been "philosophically opposed" to this, maintaining that it reduces "universality". This is, of course, a stupid argument, since the Licence Fee already does that and implementing login on iPlayer simply reflects that limitation.

2. Many people receive BBC TV via Freeview, Freesat, Satellite and Cable. Each presents its own challenges and costs in terms of lock-down for subscription. Of course the Freeview issues are not unconnected with Greg Dyke's gerrymandering of the Freeview spec when he was in charge at the BBC....

brewerdave

Wait for the first complaint on here that " the TV Licence people wanted to examine my laptop to look for browser history":rotfl:

Cornucopia

It's worth stating unequivocally that BBC/TVL staff have no rights to access Computing equipment under any circumstances, short of a Section 49 RIPA order (which they would never be given).

spiro

Interesting answer on the licensing website:

Will I be covered to use BBC iPlayer when I’m on the go or abroad?

If you already have a TV Licence for your address, you will be covered to download or watch iPlayer when you’re on the go, provided the device you’re using to watch or download programmes isn’t plugged into the electricity mains at a separate address. If the device is plugged in at a separate address, you will need to be covered by a licence at that address.

The means what matters is where you watch the program if you have the device plugged in while watching.

Cornucopia

That's not quite right.

If you are streaming from the BBC via iPlayer, then the answer above is correct.

If you have previously downloaded content from iPlayer (using a Licensed location) you can then watch that content anywhere with or without a Licence, with or without connecting the display device to the mains power supply.

That's my understanding, anyway.

KingS6

Gerrymandering the Freeview spec? Anything to do with BBC opting out of forcing Freeview boxes to take viewing cards?

Cornucopia

KingS6 wrote: »

Gerrymandering the Freeview spec? Anything to do with BBC opting out of forcing Freeview boxes to take viewing cards?

Yes. Greg Dyke admitted (boasted) that it was done partly to make it more difficult for the BBC to adopt a subscription model at some point in the future. This was not a decision for the BBC to take, or even to influence. It is solely for Government to decide.

VisionMan

KingS6 wrote: »

Gerrymandering the Freeview spec? Anything to do with BBC opting out of forcing Freeview boxes to take viewing cards?

Cornucopia wrote: »

Yes. Greg Dyke admitted (boasted) that it was done partly to make it more difficult for the BBC to adopt a subscription model at some point in the future. This was not a decision for the BBC to take, or even to influence. It is solely for Government to decide.

Theres also another reason. As ITV Digital found out to their cost, they're also too easy to hack. SKY too, have lost millions via this hole. So no.