BBC: New powers

oldcodger69

The Times newspaper reports today that the BBC is seeking powers to require Amazon Prime & Netflix subscribers to also pay for the TV licence under plans to safeguard the future of BBC TV..

I also wonder if they are likely to extend that requirement to YouTube in general. At present BBC TV channels on YouTube are accessed by a special log-in and I've no query with that.

However BBC are reportedly concerned that statistics apparently show that more people watch YouTube than the BBC channels (I wonder why..).

A popular interest is currently podcasts which BBC also produce. Another competitor is Goalhanger (Global Player) who also record their current affairs programmes on video for playing on YouTube. If you want their totally free version, you have to accept a reasonable number of advertisements being inserted. BBC has recently added their Current Affairs video podcasts onto YouTube on open selection but without advertisements. I therefore wonder if they are intending to apply for YouTube's general inclusion under their licence requirements for the above reason. If so, I think it will be a misuse of their powers i.e. a cartel.

Unfortunately the MPs, who don't understand such things, are likely to permit it, as they have willingly done with other competition.

Kind regards.

Tim

grandadgolfer

Still doesn’t mean you have to pay

oldernonethewiser

Seems to be something the government favours rather than being pushed by the BBC.

Do adblockers not work on the Goalhanger podcasts?

Cornucopia

Even if this goes through (and it's just speculation at the moment), the Powers That Be never seem to realise that some people will modify their behaviour to avoid having to pay the fee.

There's also the not inconsiderable issue of how to enforce such a requirement without the cooperation of foreign service providers which they are unlikely to get.

HonestJohn

I never understand why people are looking to avoid paying a licence fee for a service they obviouly use. I can't think of a better value service than the BBC.

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995746#Comment_81995746

There might be some people who evade the Licence (generally). There may be some who evade but do not use BBC services. And there are people like me who do not watch or record any TV broadcasts and do not watch BBC content on iPlayer.

There are now 6 million unlicensed households, so that gives ample scope for all the possibilities.

HonestJohn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995766#Comment_81995766

Evasion implies not paying for something you are liable for. Avoidance means not being liable.

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995778#Comment_81995778

That's not that useful with the TV Licence, though, because you either need one or you don't - there isn't really a valid "avoidance" behaviour that is distinct from legal compliance.

"We" tend to use the term "Legally Licence Free" which better captures the situation.

grandadgolfer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995746#Comment_81995746

Be even better if it was funded by advertising

dnpark38

I thought the requirement to have a TV Licence was to be able to watch Live TV are these YouTube programs Live?

The suggestion above to put to put adverts. on BBC would cause really kill the BBC .

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81996172#Comment_81996172

The discussion is based on an article floating around the mainstream media that I think originated in The Times. I've linked a version of it below. The Youtube question goes back a few months to the suggestion of some kind of arrangement between YT and the BBC to place content there.

I suspect this is one of those questions where people with Licences may not care that much about the fine detail because they will have a licence whatever happens, and it won't affect them. The details matter to unlicensed households, but it is not something that the media covers well.

If the BBC places programs on Youtube to run concurrently with their traditional broadcast then it would require a licence to view them live even under the present rules. I can't imagine the BBC doing that, though, as it would make for much trickier enforcement and would introduce yet another confusing detail to the rules.

Personally, I agree about advertising - except if it were used to bridge the technology gap between terrestrial broadcast and streaming. i.e. have an ad-funded version of BBC channels on Freeview whilst the BBC would otherwise be subscription on those platforms that support it.

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2026/05/12/government-considers-expanding-tv-licence-to-streaming-users/