United Kingdom viewers who watch BBC programming only via its on-demand service will have to pay for a TV licence from today after the closure of a £150m (US$200m) loophole.
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On demand means any programme you download or watch that is not being shown as live TV, including catch up TV.
That’s true even if you don’t watch live TV at all. These programmes are programmes which can be accessed on a website or through an app on a smart TV, digital box or any other device. But the TV licence requirements have now been extended to include catch-up, online premieres and online-only shows. You will still be able to watch content from non-BBC platforms including AII4, Demand 5 and Netflix without acquiring a licence.
Previously, iPlayer users only needed a licence if they were using the service to watch live broadcasts. The device must be powered by its own internal batteries – for example, a tablet or mobile phone – and must not be plugged it into the mains when receiving television.
The change comes after the government said it wanted to modernise the current system, so those watching catch-up TV do not get “a free ride”.
Are there any exceptions? Yes.
What if I want all this information again but told to me by two fish in a bowl?
As of today, Thursday 1 September, if you stream any content from BBC iPlayer without owning a TV licence, you are breaking the law. The fee will set viewers back £145.50 per year, but can be paid at a different rate, including monthly.
You could be fined up to £1,000 (the maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey and £500 in Jersey) – excluding any legal costs or compensation you may be ordered to pay.
A TV Licensing spokesman said: “We know the vast majority of people are law abiding and would anticipate those who need a licence for the first time will buy one”.
The Government committed to closing the loophole, with John Whittingdale, then culture secretary, saying in March: “The BBC works on the basis that all who watch it pay for it”.
Where can I find out more?
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It also claimed to have prosecuted people watching content without a license on a number of devices, not just TVs.
