BBC iPlayer: TV licence required to watch catch up shows as rule change comes in

Up to now, only live content has been covered by the £145.50 annual fee

New TV licensing rules are coming into effect that make it illegal to use the BBC iPlayer app without paying the licence fee.

From 1 September, viewers will have to confirm they have a TV licence before they can watch catch up shows.

Up to now, only live content has been covered by the £145.50 annual licence fee, with online viewers having to confirm they have paid before they can watch a live feed of BBC channels.

This policy is being extended to shows on the catch-up service.

The Government has long been committed to closing the loophole, as the then-culture secretary John Whittingdale 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."

It is unclear how the new rules will be enforced, as no plans to ask viewers to enter licence fee details on iPlayer have been revealed by the BBC.

The rule change will not affect access to programmes on demand from other providers such as YouTube, Netflix, ITV Hub, All 4 or Demand 5.

A BBC spokesman said: "When you click to play something on BBC iPlayer, it currently asks you to confirm you've got a TV licence if you're watching something live.

"From tomorrow, a pop-up will appear when you go to play something, asking you to select if you have a TV licence, as you'll need one to watch live, catch-up and on-demand programmes on iPlayer."