I think this is a better link on the fee for iPlayer.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/07/06/bbc-iplayer-catchup-users_n_7737080.html

Dont really follow this. There is a TV Fee for TV's, now they want to extend that fee to non TV viewing in iPlayer? If they use a TV fee for funding, I can't see the issue. Assuming if you pay a TV fee for a real TV now, you won't have to pay if you watch iPlayer on a laptop as well?

tdgeek:

 

Dont really follow this. There is a TV Fee for TV's, now they want to extend that fee to non TV viewing in iPlayer? If they use a TV fee for funding, I can't see the issue. Assuming if you pay a TV fee for a real TV now, you won't have to pay if you watch iPlayer on a laptop as well?

 

the problem is that when Kiwi's go to watch the iplayer in the future you may have to enter your licence number before viewing . 

tdgeek:

 

Dont really follow this. There is a TV Fee for TV's, now they want to extend that fee to non TV viewing in iPlayer? If they use a TV fee for funding, I can't see the issue. Assuming if you pay a TV fee for a real TV now, you won't have to pay if you watch iPlayer on a laptop as well?

 

The fee isn't necessarily for having a TV, it's for having access to content. Currently many iPlayer viewers are getting a free ride. Unlikely to be a further fee for iPlayer for those who are already paying.

tdgeek:

 

Dont really follow this. There is a TV Fee for TV's, now they want to extend that fee to non TV viewing in iPlayer? If they use a TV fee for funding, I can't see the issue. Assuming if you pay a TV fee for a real TV now, you won't have to pay if you watch iPlayer on a laptop as well?

 

I think the idea is to catch non-TV households that access BBC content without contributing to funding the BBC.  So your latter statement I beleive to be correct - if you already pay a licence, you wont have to pay another one to watch on a laptop as well.  At present you only pay the TV licence by household, not by device.

I wonder if they will accompany this with geo-blocking?

I have no problem with paying for a UK TV Licence because I think it offers great value for money when compared to Sky etc, and no shortage of UK addresses to which it could be sent.  But it would be annoying to pay and then find they were going all Netflix-like to prevent overseas viewing

shk292:

 

I wonder if they will accompany this with geo-blocking?

 

They already use geo-blocking - if you can currently use the BBC TV iPlayer you must be on an existing smart-DNS or VPN system. (This doesn't apply to the iPlayer radio stations though).

For much the same reason as Netflix does, they have no choice about using geo-blocking, as they only have UK broadcast rights to much of their content.

Oh dear. New Zealand providers better start pulling their socks up so we've got something to watch once all this goes through! It'll be interesting to see how they enforce the fee. If it's by address, then all good. I signed up with my Aunt and Uncle's address in Wiltshire. If it's by code, we might be faced with either buying a licence or asking UK relatives to share theirs.

I would happily subscribe (if possible) to enable my continued access to iplayer. "Aunty" moving towards a Netflix model with boxed sets would certainly get my vote.

littleheaven:

 

Oh dear. New Zealand providers better start pulling their socks up so we've got something to watch once all this goes through! It'll be interesting to see how they enforce the fee. If it's by address, then all good. I signed up with my Aunt and Uncle's address in Wiltshire. If it's by code, we might be faced with either buying a licence or asking UK relatives to share theirs.

 

My understanding was that you had to register with your TV license number, without using that, anyone could sign up using an address and fake their way in.

They appear to kicking a few ideas around...

• Tie it to a licence code
• Paid subscription service
• Pay per view - but access to huge back catalogue

Will be interesting to see how it pans out - I would miss not being able to access it - would consider some sort of subscription depending on cost. One would hope the subscription to a digital platform would not cost the same as a UK TV licence though. If it gets purely tied to a 'TV licence' I think it will be too hard to get around.

They might offer it in two ways; paid sub and tied to license... So those that do not watch Live TV can pay a sub for not catch-up TV stuff (on demand only) and those that do have a license get the full deal of Catch-up TV & On Demand & Live TV.

As the BBC only have the rights for certain programmes after they've been played live, it will still be limited but the third option might be tied up in to the other two options as added value.

I would certainly hope they would offer a pay version. I lived in the UK for more than 6 years and have always paid my TV license, happy to continue paying it if I can retain access to iPlayer