MSE News: You'll need a TV licence to use iPlayer from 1 September this year

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

How will they track people watching iPlayer using a Wifi hot spot? For example a yacht marina has a Wifi access often as part of the mooring fees.

My MObile with Three is totally unregistered to a name or address as PAYG but I can use the iPlayer app on it with their data bundle.

Equally any tethering I do is untraceable to a name or address. I also have an EE PAYG dongle which is unregistered

Herbalus

I have no doubt that there are methods to enforce it, but also that it will likely be possible to circumvent.

My question is more about whether this will actually be enforced, and which of the available methods they will choose.

KingS6

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Maybe they will be given powers to search your computer.

A way round this is that ISP's pass on £1 to the BBC per month from every internet subscription to cover the cost of iPlayer - they could then just keep iPlayer licence free.

With what evidence to get to the point to be in a position to exercise the power to search a computer?

Also if this charge is passed on to consumers from ISP's when they do not wish to use iPlayer it would be considered an internet "tax" and an inevitable backlash will ensue.

This is why the BBC has not championed the option of having TV licence incorporated into council tax bills. The reaction from Joe Public would be priceless.

badmemory

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Maybe you will need to register a TV licence number on iPlayer in order to access it.

If you pay annually by DD that is no longer possible as they do not actually issue a licence now but just take your money.

VisionMan

This change in the law is a recognition that British television has moved into the 21st century digital age.

Just 10 short years ago, only 5% of people accessed on demand or catch up TV. 5 years ago 20% and 2 years ago that moved up to 37%. Both the BBC and the Govt recognised this shift not away from, but with, live linear TV and this was a change that was badly needed.

Today, 54% of live linear TV viewers also consume internet TV content. And the BBC iPlayer now offers live linear TV coverage and in HD to boot.

This is a change that in todays digital age was badly needed. And a change I agree with. If one doesn't wish to pay the TV Licence fee, fine, then just don't consume BBC TV content via any means, including the iPlayer.

Catch up players from ITV and Channels 4 & 5 aren't included in this change and remain licence free.

VisionMan

KingS6 wrote: »

Comical how they have ignored government advice and will continue with the same "enforcement methods" as watching live TV without a licence.

What are they then? Because if you've got a heads up on this everyone would love to know.

KingS6

VisionMan wrote: »

This change in the law is a recognition that British television has moved into the 21st century digital age.

Just 10 short years ago, only 5% of people accessed on demand or catch up TV. 5 years ago 20% and 2 years ago that moved up to 37%. Both the BBC and the Govt recognised this shift not away from, but with, live linear TV and this was a change that was badly needed.

Today, 54% of live linear TV viewers also consume internet TV content. And the BBC iPlayer now offers live linear TV coverage and in HD to boot.

This is a change that in todays digital age was badly needed. And a change I agree with. If one doesn't wish to pay the TV Licence fee, fine, then just don't consume BBC TV content via any means, including the iPlayer.

Catch up players from ITV and Channels 4 & 5 aren't included in this change and remain licence free.

But the BBC have not reciprocated the other way and made it so if you only watch live TV from channels such as ITV, C4 or a even a foreign channel but not BBC channels you are licence fee exempt.

VisionMan

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

How will they track people watching iPlayer using a Wifi hot spot? For example a yacht marina has a Wifi access often as part of the mooring fees.

I'm quite sure if one moors a yacht in a marina, they would have more than enough money to pay for any kind of TV they want.

forgotmyname

robin58 wrote: »

From the connection you have with the Iplayer.

All network communications are logged automatically across all internet networks, what ever site you visit, by any provider, both landline or mobile.

You have a unique IP address.

They could in theory ID your IP address from this alone. Then follow that up to with the provider for the bill payer address.

The more into 'the internet of things' we all go, the easier it is to find you.

Several people share my IP address though and its not unique its a dynamic one. (Plusnet Fibre). So how will they know its me and my computer rather than the neighbour or a visitor?

Are they really going to request an address for every user that connects to the iplayer? How will it single out a non licence holders IP?

VisionMan

KingS6 wrote: »

But the BBC have not reciprocated the other way and made it so if you only watch live TV from channels such as ITV, C4 or a even a foreign channel but not BBC channels you are licence fee exempt.

I could slam you for saying that but I won't, because I'm polite. Thats a whole different ball game of which on another thread you have been part of. And has already been discussed.

This is a change to internet TV only, not live.