TV licence fee could include Iplayer

THE UK GOVERNMENT is mulling a plan to include on-demand telly services in the television license fee.

An overhaul at the Beeb being overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport could pull the Iplayer into the remit of the £150 a year television license fee, according to the Guardian, meaning that even if you go without a television, and its various attempts at making antique hunting interesting, you still might need to have a TV licence.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said changes in viewing habits, such as the fact that people might watch Eastenders online, is forcing its hand. Because the nature of television viewing is changing, so must the way we pay for it.

"Government is aware of developing technologies and the changing viewing habits of those who watch television programmes," he said. "How the BBC is funded as these issues evolve is a matter the department will need to address in the near future."

The BBC disagrees, however, and a spokesman for the broadcaster said that very few of its viewers watch only on-demand television. With this in mind, it added, "We believe the current system works very efficiently and do not see a need to change its scope at present." µ