BBC iPlayer has quietly started forcing viewers to sign in to access its video on demand and radio services on their phones, tablets and laptops.
The BBC first announced the plans fo a registration process last month and it has now gradually started to roll it out – starting with its most regular users.
Viewers are being notified by a pop up notification that says: “You’ll soon need to sign in to watch. It’s quick & easy. And we’ll keep you signed.”
The BBC said there is no clear deadline for when all viewers will have to register but that it looks like regular viewers will be hit with the changes first.
A spokesperson for the BBC told the Sun Online: “We’re gradually rolling this out. It’s partly linked to how often you come to watch or listen to programmes on BBC iPlayer and BBC iPlayer Radio on the website or via mobile/tablet apps.”
Previously, viewers were merely asked if they had a licence, and simply clicking on ‘yes’ would give access to content.
New rules, which came into force in September last year, mean anyone who uses the iPlayer to watch BBC programmes must be covered by a TV licence.
Under the old rules viewers only needed a licence if they were using the service to watch live broadcasts.
The account is free to set up an account – but you’ll need a TV licence for your household.
The new sign-in process requires users to enter their personal details such as their date of birth, email, postcode and gender as part of BBC plans to make its services “more personal and relevant to you”.
This will include tailoring programme suggestions to users based on their viewing history and a better user experience enabling viewers to start watching a programme on one device before picking up where they left off on their TV.
In a blog published last month, myBBC launch director Andrew Scott denied the mandatory account was a move to crackdown on licence fee evaders.
He said the move “isn’t about enforcing the license fee” but about helping viewers to get the best out of the service.
However, he admitted: “By matching email addresses we may be able to identify someone who has told us they don’t need a TV licence while at the same time having signed in and watched iPlayer.
“So we will now use this alongside our existing enforcement techniques to help identify people who are watching licence fee-funded content without a licence.”
But the new rules haven’t gone down well with telly and radio fans, with some users sharing their disappointment on Twitter.
I resent that both @BBCiPlayer& @All4 are starting to mutter about signing in. Because I don't know why, & I have too many passwords
— Mimi Hammill (@MimiDraws) June 12, 2017
One said: “Oh god you have to sign in to listen BBC iPlayer radio now. Is this start of stupid Facebook-style process that decides what you can see?,” another one added.
Others also left angry comments on the BBC’s blog, with one user threatening to delete his account due to the move.
He said: “I’m really angry about this. It will certainly reduce my listening via iPlayer radio, and I may delete my account altogether.”
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