BBC set to close iPlayer loophole with fines of £1,000

Viewers will have to confirm whether they have a TV licence to watch content on the BBC iPlayer when a loophole closes on Thursday.

Currently only live television is covered by the £145.50 license fee, however from midnight, viewers could be fined up to £1,000 for downloading or watching programmes on the iPlayer without a TV license.

It is unclear how the new rules will be enforced, as viewers will not need to enter license fee details to watch content on the iPlayer.

The BBC are closing a loophole from midnight Credit: PA

In March, the BBC announced a £150 million shortfall in license fee income for 2016/17.

The government cited a faster-than-predicted fall in the percentage of households owning televisions, with many people changing their viewing habits by watching programmes through catch-up instead.

Conservative MP John Whittingdale, pictured earlier this year Credit: PA

John Whittingdale, then culture secretary, said in March: "The BBC works on the basis that all who watch it pay for it.

"Giving a free ride to those who enjoy Sherlock or Bake Off an hour, a day or a week after they are broadcast was never intended and is wrong."

People who already have a TV license will not be affected by the new regulation, and viewers will not need a license to watch content from other providers including:

  • YouTube

  • Netflix

  • ITV Hub

  • All 4

  • Demand 5