iPlayer – Live Broadcast of BBC1 / BBC2 from 27th Nov

When phoning the thickos from TV Licensing yesterday to reiterate that I no longer had a device able to play/record live TV and that therefore, I didn’t need a license, they asked me to put all this into writing and send it to them ASAP.

They also informed me that iPlayer, since September, had been streaming live TV. I was sure this was incorrect and that it was about to be launched. And sure enough, after googling it today I found out it’s going to be possible from this Thursday 27th November (and NOT since mid-September!).

What I’ll have to do is send them a letter confirming that I not only DO NOT have a working TV set but also that I WILL NOT watch live TV online. It’s so tedious! NB this ‘live streaming’ will ensure that iPlayer fans will in theory be able to watch live TV (but ONLY if they purchase a license…), as the Register points out:

Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, said: “The launch of BBC One and BBC Two online completes our commitment to make our portfolio of channels available to watch on the internet. From 27 November licence fee payers will be able to watch BBC programmes, live, wherever they are in the UK on their computers, mobile phones and other portable devices.”

Note “licence fee payers” in that quote. While catching up with shows on iPlayer does not require a TV licence, watching any live broadcast – including over the internet – does.

Argh. I may get that TV set repaired after all. At least I’ll then be able to play my PS3 on a big screen

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