So much 'fear mongering' going on here imo.
This was the release today of a
white paper on the future of the BBC.
The actual white paper itself can be accessed here
http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy ... ed__1_.pdf
The section most relevant to access to BBC iplayer in the future is
In order to improve enforcement and allow BBC content to be ‘portable’ for UK licence fee payers (so they could gain access while on holiday in Europe, something which is currently not offered) the government thinks there is a case for iPlayer to require verification – i.e. access should be conditional upon verification of licence fee payment – so that individuals in other countries, and those in the UK not paying the fee, cannot access licence fee funded content for free. The government will discuss verification and other options with the BBC and look at the best way of implementing this, including through regulations if needed. It will be up to the BBC to determine whether this is an appropriate means of charging international viewers.
Nothing is decided yet. The changes could well be a great improvement for 'swallows' who visit the TRNC, allowing them full legal access to iPlayer content whilst in Cyprus (or elsewhere within the EU) without the need for VPN's or similar, as part of the value they get for having a UK TV license in the UK. For those resident outside of the UK it may lead to a proper subscription based service for access to BBC iPlayer, which I for one would welcome. However nothing is yet decided and the fundamental problems with a verification process tied to existing License fee remains. How many simultaneous people would be allowed to 'log in' using a given license fee payment for example ? How could the BBC ensure I do not use my mothers license fee payment information to log in to watch iPlayer content ?
Despite the efforts of some, imo, to try and create an impression that it has been decided that there will be a password based system tied to license fee payment in order to access BBC iPlayer in the future, the reality is this is still being discussed and considered and no such decision has yet been made.
It is probably worth pointing out, given some of the comments above, that it has
always been a criminal offence to view BBC (and indeed any free to air UK) channels IN the UK without a TV license. It was an anomaly that this did not include 'catch up' content and this anomaly is being removed. The UK can not legislate that it is a criminal offence to watch UK free to air content OUTSIDE the UK without a UK TV license because they do not have the jurisdiction to do this.