The BBC have announced that by the start of 2017 that you will need to have registered for a BBC ID with a UK Postcode to access iPlayer on all devices!

It's not exactly a massive leap to start comparing postcodes to the TV Licence database and IP addresses.

And so it begins........

evilengineer:

The BBC have announced that by the start of 2017 that you will need to have registered for a BBC ID with a UK Postcode to access iPlayer on all devices!

It's not exactly a massive leap to start comparing postcodes to the TV Licence database and IP addresses.

And so it begins........

evilengineer:

 

The BBC have announced that by the start of 2017 that you will need to have registered for a BBC ID with a UK Postcode to access iPlayer on all devices!

 

It's not exactly a massive leap to start comparing postcodes to the TV Licence database and IP addresses.

 

And so it begins........

 

UK Youshop address ??

old3eyes:

 

 

 

UK Youshop address ??

 

You're likely to need a TV Licence (150GBP) to go with that Youshop address at some point.

And I should imagine it would raise a few eyebrows if there were a few hundred BBC IDs registered to the same postcode on an industrial estate near Heathrow. :)

Unlike many parts of the world (here for example) the UK postcodes are unique to a property as well - so they would probably have a pretty good way of matching against licences I guess.

Still not sure how they would be able to check mobile devices against a registered property though as its still possible to have multiple mobile devices in the one property. What about a business that pays for a TV licence for their premises - is iplayer access allowed for that account? 

Will have to see how it pans out I guess.

Would have been simpler (and more lucrative for them) to just start inserting adverts in the iplayer content.

robjg63:

 

Unlike many parts of the world (here for example) the UK postcodes are unique to a property as well - so they would probably have a pretty good way of matching against licences I guess.

 

UK postcodes are area codes.

robjg63:

 

Still not sure how they would be able to check mobile devices against a registered property though as its still possible to have multiple mobile devices in the one property. What about a business that pays for a TV licence for their premises - is iplayer access allowed for that account? 

 

I'm pretty sure a licence covers all devices at a location.

cynnicallemon:

 

I'm pretty sure a licence covers all devices at a location.

 

Actually, I don't think that is correct.  When I lived in shared (barracks) accom in the UK a few years ago, we were told that if we had a TV, we needed a licence for it.  So multiple licences at one location are certainly possible

I'm happy to buy a licence if that is what is required - it's a good value service

Ah - I stand corrected.

In the case of a block of flats I guess there could be hundreds with the same postcode.

In some cases (pick a large business premises) they may have their own unique postcode.

They are definitely more granular than here.

Guess that would make the potential cross matching somewhat more difficult.

shk292:

 

cynnicallemon:

 

I'm pretty sure a licence covers all devices at a location.

 

 

Actually, I don't think that is correct.  When I lived in shared (barracks) accom in the UK a few years ago, we were told that if we had a TV, we needed a licence for it.  So multiple licences at one location are certainly possible

 

I'm happy to buy a licence if that is what is required - it's a good value service

 

That would be a bit different, that would be treated like an apartment building or boarding house.  Little bobby on his iphone/ipad in his bedroom would not need another licence if mum and dad had a tv in the house.

I dont think its worth 150GBP.

If you compare it to Netflix - the offereings are quite small.

As has been stated in the UK many times - it would be much cheaper to fund it out general taxes. Far less cost of administration. Most countries have either dropped the licence feee or funded from some sort of levy. I saw recently that in Italy it is incorporated into the power bills.

robjg63:

 

I dont think its worth 150GBP.

 

If you compare it to Netflix - the offereings are quite small.

 

I guess it's personal preference.  My household gets more value from BBC than NF, especially since we're now restricted to NF NZ - although granted, the cost is roughly double.  I think it's especially good for kids' material, if you don't want them watching endless cartoons or brainless american sitcoms.

shk292:

 

cynnicallemon:

 

I'm pretty sure a licence covers all devices at a location.

 

 

Actually, I don't think that is correct.  When I lived in shared (barracks) accom in the UK a few years ago, we were told that if we had a TV, we needed a licence for it.  So multiple licences at one location are certainly possible

 

I'm happy to buy a licence if that is what is required - it's a good value service

 

Pretty sure I'm correct 100%. Any living accomodation with a physical address needs a licence if UK based TV (BBC, ITV etc) is viewed. Exceptions to licencing can be the blind or over 75 - if exempt the rules are the same, any device can be used to view.

This might explain it better. 

I'm sure the Hotel at the postcode I used has TV's.

Maybe they will send everyone who pays, a key to enter into their device, valid for 1 year. But the admin of doing this, and the support required when people need a new key or have forgotten it etc, is going to only push the price up. But you wouldn't want to see the BBC become another TVNZ, with rubbishy shows that are chosen because they 'rate' well, and lots of adverts.