BBC iPlayer now requires your address.

coffeehound

Kite2010 wrote: »

Time to dig out fake details if I wish to continue using iPlayer to listen to the radio at work.

Isn't this mission-creep in the intent of the TV licence? Previously you didn't need a licence to listen to radio stations, but now through iPlayer you do. They should exempt radio content from this licence search malarky.

Bigphil1474

I think they meant they'd compare e-mail addresses of user to e-mail addresses of license holders. Bit of nonsense really, as my BBC account e-mail for I-player is different to the one that TV licensing have, and the license is in my OH's name as well. Not noticed any change on youview version of I-player yet

Bigphil1474

You can use the BBC radio player app - which is separate to TV, so shouldn't need the same security.

EdSwippet

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

You can use the BBC radio player app - which is separate to TV, so shouldn't need the same security.

The BBC radio app has indeed started prompting for a BBC account id. At least, it has on Android; don't know about Apple.

So far there doesn't appear to be any suggestion that you can't access BBC radio without a licence, or that they'll send the heavies round if you do. So far.

Cornucopia

I've just tried Radio iPlayer over the Internet through a browser, and yes, there is a prompt that Sign in will be required soon.

This is very disappointing (or will be if it is actually implemented) since the whole point of hiving off Radio iPlayer was to have a complete separation from the licensing requirements of TV iPlayer.

It will be a shame if the BBC exceed their remit yet again around licensing issues. And if they really go overboard and start matching details between Radio iPlayer IDs and TV Licensing records, then I hope the Information Commissioner has a quiet word with them.

littlerock

Is it just a case of registering to use iPlayer on the radio or do you now need a BBC tv licence to listen to the iplayer radio channels online? Has it always been the case, that your tv licence covered reception of your radio programmes but was just never enforced?

Or are they claiming there are separate regulations covering bbc radio reception online via iplayer? Is the iplayer radio app different from the main tv iplayer? I always thought it was just a short cut through to the main iplayer tv app which includes the radio? maybe that is why there is an issue. They cannot stop you watching tv as well, once you get signed into iplayer?

Cornucopia

The law on Radio listening has not changed - no TV Licence is required to listen to the radio, irrespective of channel, platform or technology.

The BBC split the Radio and TV iPlayer apps some months ago, and I had assumed that the move was to facilitate locking down TV iPlayer whilst leaving open access to Radio iPlayer, but that does not now seem to be the case.

My concern is that the details harvested from iPlayer IDs will go in to one big database, and the distinction between radio listeners and TV viewers will be lost. If that information is then used for enforcement, then that would be unacceptable.

Unfortunately, because of the way BBC TV Licensing works, it could be a long time before it becomes obvious what the outcome of this is. Indeed, we will probably know well before that point whether the BBC requires a Licence number for iPlayer radio or not.

brewerdave

I set an account up with the Beeb several years ago; its based on a public email address but my account does not contain any actual name and physical address details. I can still use I Player without inputting anything new.
As far as I'm aware the license doesn't have an email addy associated with it as it has all been done via post in the past, so there is no obvious connection between my license and my Beeb account.

Cornucopia

AIUI, the "link" is supposed to work the other way around.

The idea is that naive people will use the same email address for their iPlayer ID as they've previously used on the non-compulsory online form for people who don't need a Licence.

EdSwippet

Cornucopia wrote: »

The idea is that naive people will use the same email address for their iPlayer ID as they've previously used on the non-compulsory online form for people who don't need a Licence.

I've done exactly that. Deliberately, and with complete cognisance of the fact that I'm opening myself up to incorrect 'enforcement'.

I do not own a TV. I use iPlayer radio but not iPlayer TV or any other online TV service other than non-BBC catchup, and do not have a license. In other words, I comply scrupulously with the terms of TV licensing. We shall see what transpires, then.