IPlayer loophole still lets students dodge licence fee
THE closure of the iPlayer TV licence loophole yesterday descended into farce as it emerged students can continue to dodge the £145.50 annual fee. A change to the law was expected to force anyone watching BBC programmes on catchup via the iPlayer internet service to purchase a TV licence.
But a crucial clause has been left in the legislation, meaning that thousands of students will still be exempt as they can be covered by their parents’ licence.
Media commentators ridiculed the decision, claiming that authorities had only preserved the exemption because they were worried the law would have been widely abused by students.
They suggested that if students were seen to be flouting the new law, it would turn the BBC into a laughing stock.
The exemption covers any student where their permanent address is their parents’ home; their parents have a valid TV licence; and they only watch or download shows using a device powered by its internal batteries and not plugged into the mains.
Until yesterday, it had been legal for anyone to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer without a licence, provided they were being watched after the shows aired on TV. Many of those who were using the loophole are thought to be under 35. Recent research found that 63 per cent of students use the iPlayer.
However, the Government committed to closing the loophole in March. The then culture secretary, John Whittingdale, said: ‘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.’
Around 1.5million people, or 2 per cent of households, are thought to have been enjoying their favourite shows in this way, costing the BBC £150million a year.
Critics said the exemption for students raised the question of why the legislation was introduced when so many of those watching catch-up only are young people.
David Elstein, former chief executive of Channel 5 and now chairman of campaign group openDemocracy, said: ‘The reason they did it is
‘We should be exempt’
because it was going to be abused by students and it would immediately become unenforceable.
‘It would turn the BBC into a laughing stock. So they were simply avoiding a problem further down the road.
‘This is a way of bringing the law into disrepute, it is shameful. To avoid it becoming a farce they have kept this exemption for students.’
Damian Collins MP, chairman of the culture, media and sport committee, said ministers had not yet looked into the exemption for students and he was currently ‘happy for it to stay as it is’.
Students had been warned they would need to purchase a licence, with many reacting with fury at the prospect of having to pay the fee.
Second-year psychology student Chris Deyes, 24, told BBC News that students should be treated like pensioners over 75 and be totally exempt. He said: ‘I don’t know why we are paying for a TV licence if we are only watching a couple of hourlong shows once or twice a week.
‘I do understand that if everyone watches on demand then they wouldn’t make any money. But it’s quite a lot per person in halls when my accommodation costs £142 per week.
‘I don’t see why something like the free over-75s licence can’t be brought in for students. Why can’t we be exempt from paying? It’s only three years off.’
TV Licensing confirmed that students can be exempt from having to buy a licence.
A spokesman said: ‘ Students are not covered by their parents’ licence unless the student only ever uses devices that are powered solely by their own internal batteries – not plugged into an aerial or the mains – and if their permanent address is their parents’ home.’