Does the BBC know if I’m watching iPlayer without a TV licence? Rules explained as millions could be locked out of app

THE BBC is considering locking iPlayer for non-TV licence payers, according to reports. Whilst a valid licence is a legal requirement for iPlayer, enforcing stricter measurements would cut-off those who get away with not paying. Reports suggest that the BBC is considering locking iPlayer for TV licence holders only Credit: Alamy Over the last year, half a million people have stopped paying their licence fee Credit: AFP Reports have suggested that the BBC may close off BBC iPlayer for non-licence fee payers, in a move to prevent customers from opting out of it. Kerris Bright, chief customer officer for the BBC, was reported by Deadline to have mentioned in an all-staff call that the idea of blocking iPlayer was under review. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Recordings of the meeting overheard Bright saying that locking iPlayer would be an “opportunity for us” and something “we should absolutely keep looking at”. Bright reportedly said: “As we go into the future, more of an IPTV world, audiences changing behaviour … that might absolutely be an opportunity for us, depending on the funding model.” Bright continued on to tell staff that blocking iPlayer to those without a licence wouldn’t solve all of the corporations problems, but added that she would keep it in mind. She continued: “There’s probably more cost in it than revenue, but it is something we should absolutely keep looking at because it might be something that you actually would want to do in the future.” BBC’s own annual reports released earlier this month revealed that half a million people ditched the TV licence fee in the past year, seeing the total stand at 23.3million. iPlayer currently requires people to sign in to watch its content, but does not ask for any physical proof or confirmation of payment to verify if users have a licence fee. Most read in TV The site asks a yes or no question as to whether you have a TV licence, but again, documentation is not required. However, the BBC logs your email, IP address, device details and viewing history and shares this data with TV licensing to cross-reference it against their database. The BBC could require users to enter valid TV licence credentials, such as a certificate, into their iPlayer accounts, as well as requiring a postcode and name to cross-reference with. Recently, during the World Cup coverage on the channels, the BBC displayed QRs codes on screens to remind viewers to purchase a TV licence, suggesting a crackdown from the broadcaster. The TV licensing website states: “We contact customers who have declared that they do not need a licence but at the same time are shown from the information that we hold to be watching or downloading BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer on several occasions.” When warning letters are ignored, TV licence enforcement officers can visit the home to find out if the rules are being broken.. 94 per cent of Brits watch the BBC every month, but fewer than 80 per cent pay the annual licence fee. A standard TV licence costs a household £180 per year, giving customers legal permission to watch or record live television on any channels, and download programs on BBC iPlayer. This is an increase of £5.50 from the previous year, adding an extra 46 pence per month onto the licence fee – changed to match inflation. It comes after the corporation released a toe-curling ad in an attempt to persuade more customers to purchase a licence fee amid plummeting numbers of paying customers. Comment now