Government hints at plans for internet TV licence fee
- Added:
- Jul 26, 2010
British viewers who watch TV programmes through their computers and who do not own television sets may be made to pay the licence fee as early as next year.
Currently viewers do not have to pay the licence fee if they only watch TV programmes through a computer.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed yesterday that this exemption may end as internet users increasingly use services such as the BBC's iPlayer to watch television programmes. Mr Hunt said that the issue would be discussed with the BBC during next year's funding review, although he went on to specify that the fee would not be rolled out in a blanket fashion on all those who own computers.
In a sign of how viewing patterns have changed a usage review carried out by the BBC Trust found that up to 40% of students in halls of residence now use laptops as their main way to watch TV.
********************************
Get Netimperative updates on Twitter
