Older BBC programmes on Iplayer to go behind paywall?

linkinpark875 · 16/12/25 - 22:34

Notice this on tomorrows papers

https://metro.co.uk/2025/12/16/bbc-at-risk-placing-older-tv-shows-behind-paywall-iplayer-25535794/amp/

Not good news the fee remains plus a top up subscription service. I enjoy watching old Top Gear be a shame if that becomes an extra.

James2001 · 16/12/25 - 22:51

Well, with the amount of people who gloat about not paying the licence fee while still making use of the BBC's services, they're going to have to do something.

bob.h · 16/12/25 - 22:52

Top Gear is on U for free, which is due be on Channel 4's streaming service early next year.

Other shows are already on the paywall. I haven't read the green paper mentioned, maybe they forgot about UKTV?

PunksNotDead · 16/12/25 - 23:12

Physical media, keep hold of your BBC dvds folks.

Darren Lethem · 16/12/25 - 23:22

A number of approaches have been laid out, including placing ‘older’ content behind a paywall on iPlayer, after it has been available to view for a period of time for free.

Richardcoulter · 17/12/25 - 10:12

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

Chief_Wiggum · 17/12/25 - 10:35

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Dr.OliverTwich · 17/12/25 - 10:38

These are suggestions in a Govt. Consultation: Read and respond to that consultation to make your views known... https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/britains-story-the-next-chapter-the-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation

technologist · 17/12/25 - 11:11

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

they do at the moment with the BBC Commercial UKTV channels - and on other non BBC Channels
....... and you did with DVDs and VHS cassettes

The consulation questions are at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/britains-story-the-next-chapter-the-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation/britains-story-the-next-chapter-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation#consultation-questions
if you want a look befre you go on line to answer them,!
But read things carefully .... and look at the https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2487818/future-of-bbc-green-paper-for-new-charter/ Thread!

i4u · 17/12/25 - 11:22

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Codadam02 · 17/12/25 - 11:25

They did it with Britbox, that went well.

hyperstarsponge · 17/12/25 - 11:41

The whole idea of Netflix is to pay for new stuff not old stuff BBC

Gone with the Wind2 · 17/12/25 - 11:44

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Exactly - if you want to go to the cinema twice and watch the same film twice, you have to pay twice. Why is this any different ?

technologist · 17/12/25 - 11:55

hyperstarsponge wrote: »

The whole idea of Netflix is to pay for new stuff not old stuff BBC

Strange then that NetFlix are (trying to ) Buy WBD for their archive..... and NONE of their TV channels
BTW Iplayer has almost the same ammount of content as Netflix but both are less than Amazon
https://informitv.com/2025/11/28/bbc-iplayer-library-approaches-size-of-netflix/
and the LF at £14.66 a month at is very close to Netflix 2 stream ad free HD at £12.99/month

linkinpark875 · 17/12/25 - 12:51

Codadam02 wrote: »

They did it with Britbox, that went well.

And isn’t some BBC continent not already on player? Britbox was actually quite good I think charging under the BBC brand is wrong surely they should sell programming to a streamer like for example C4 to Netflix?

hyperstarsponge · 17/12/25 - 17:10

technologist wrote: »

hyperstarsponge wrote: »

The whole idea of Netflix is to pay for new stuff not old stuff BBC

Strange then that NetFlix are (trying to ) Buy WBD for their archive..... and NONE of their TV channels
BTW Iplayer has almost the same ammount of content as Netflix but both are less than Amazon
https://informitv.com/2025/11/28/bbc-iplayer-library-approaches-size-of-netflix/
and the LF at £14.66 a month at is very close to Netflix 2 stream ad free HD at £12.99/month

May as well go for Netflix Premium not that much difference in price

Chief_Wiggum · 18/12/25 - 00:04

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Gone with the Wind2 wrote: »

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Exactly - if you want to go to the cinema twice and watch the same film twice, you have to pay twice. Why is this any different ?

Because in this case you'd effectively be paying twice to see the same film once. The licence fee is what we pay to access iPlayer. But now we might be asked to pay an additional amount to view some content, even if our licence fees have actually gone towards the making of that content.

Just because it is older content doesn't mean that all viewers have seen it before and are wanting to watch it again.

AcerBen · 18/12/25 - 00:08

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Gone with the Wind2 wrote: »

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Exactly - if you want to go to the cinema twice and watch the same film twice, you have to pay twice. Why is this any different ?

Because in this case you'd effectively be paying twice to see the same film once. The licence fee is what we pay to access iPlayer. But now we might be asked to pay an additional amount to view some content, even if our licence fees have actually gone towards the making of that content.

Just because it is older content doesn't mean that all viewers have seen it before and are wanting to watch it again.

It wasn't so long ago that if you missed the original broadcast the only hope you had of seeing it again was buying the VHS in WHSmith for £12.99

And more recently iPlayer had very little archive and everything was online for a month before disappearing

Chief_Wiggum · 18/12/25 - 00:23

AcerBen wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Gone with the Wind2 wrote: »

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Exactly - if you want to go to the cinema twice and watch the same film twice, you have to pay twice. Why is this any different ?

Because in this case you'd effectively be paying twice to see the same film once. The licence fee is what we pay to access iPlayer. But now we might be asked to pay an additional amount to view some content, even if our licence fees have actually gone towards the making of that content.

Just because it is older content doesn't mean that all viewers have seen it before and are wanting to watch it again.

It wasn't so long ago that if you missed the original broadcast the only hope you had of seeing it again was buying the VHS in WHSmith for £12.99

And more recently iPlayer had very little archive and everything was online for a month before disappearing

Would you be in favour of charging licence fee payers extra for access to all of iPlayer, then? You seem to me to be suggesting that we are lucky to get what we are given by Auntie and we should just suck up any extra fees they want to charge us. Auntie knows best, after all.

zx50 · 18/12/25 - 01:32

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

Totally agree. Those with a TV licence shouldn't have to pay extra to watch anything on iPlayer's site.

zx50 · 18/12/25 - 01:51

Codadam02 wrote: »

They did it with Britbox, that went well.

Britbox for the UK is now ITVX Premium.

zx50 · 18/12/25 - 02:00

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Gone with the Wind2 wrote: »

i4u wrote: »

Chief_Wiggum wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

I agree. Many licence fee payers would be effectively charged twice to watch older content.

I thought the BBC had already tried something like this through its involvement in Britbox?

Why do people think they've bought a programme lock stock and barrel forever...when initially all that's paid for is broadcast and to be on iPlayer currently for 1 year.

Much that is made these days is made by independent production companies or under licence, Actors are likely to expect repeat fess rather than agreed a buyout, then there's copyright.

Exactly - if you want to go to the cinema twice and watch the same film twice, you have to pay twice. Why is this any different ?

What the TV licence pays for. It doesn't mention anything in the main top list about content for a year.

BBC iPlayer - 1000s of live and on demand programmes (including news, sport, dramas, comedy, documentaries, entertainment, and featured films), box sets and exclusive content

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-does-your-licence-fee-pay-for-top13

Damnedunitedareback · 18/12/25 - 04:11

Noticed lot of old BBC itv dramas are on Netflix now watched one recently wirh Sheridan Smith called Black work which don't remember at all

commseng · 18/12/25 - 07:08

hyperstarsponge wrote: »

technologist wrote: »

hyperstarsponge wrote: »

The whole idea of Netflix is to pay for new stuff not old stuff BBC

Strange then that NetFlix are (trying to ) Buy WBD for their archive..... and NONE of their TV channels
BTW Iplayer has almost the same ammount of content as Netflix but both are less than Amazon
https://informitv.com/2025/11/28/bbc-iplayer-library-approaches-size-of-netflix/
and the LF at £14.66 a month at is very close to Netflix 2 stream ad free HD at £12.99/month

May as well go for Netflix Premium not that much difference in price

The content on the iPlayer and Netflix are very different though. The price is not the reason why you would pick one service rather than the other.

Richardcoulter · 18/12/25 - 08:59

zx50 wrote: »

Richardcoulter wrote: »

It would raise money and allow those without a TVL to legitimately access older BBC content.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to charge extra to those either with a TVL or those not required to have one in order to access BBC content.

Totally agree. Those with a TV licence shouldn't have to pay extra to watch anything on iPlayer's site.

I've just taken the survey and it mentions the possibility of requiring people to enter their TV licence number to access the iPlayer.

This is all well and good for those with a TVL in their own name, but what about those where it isn't or if they are not required to have one in order to use the iPlayer?

I imagine that some will be able to ask the TVL payer for their number, eg a lodger could ask their landlord, but this may be refused or no licence may exist because their accommodation is exempt eg those that live in crown properties.

MK65Man · 18/12/25 - 09:49

@Richardcoulter
I don't know for sure, but would guess, that there are sufficient viewers in the categories you describe, that this will be allowed for.

Those people may have to create a BBC account and be allocated a dummy licence number, for example.

Hey there!

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