I recently – and rather belatedly it seems – found that the BBC currently has a live beta version of its “simulcasting” service which, as you can see here, streams shows from the BBC as they’re appearing on TV. There’s a small disclaimer on the page which states, “Don’t forget – to watch TV online as it’s being broadcast, you still need a TV Licence.”

Now, in all honesty, if you don’t own a TV set or any equipment that flags you up on the Licensing Authority’s database as owning such gubbins – and therefore making you liable to pay the license fee – would you really pay the fee of £142.50, knowing that you can’t be detected watching BBC online? I have to say, I wouldn’t. In fact, were it not for the fact that I’d face a fine of possibly £1000, I wouldn’t pay it at all.

This made me question the fairness of the TV license fee given that if you have a computer and a broadband connection, you can watch the BBC for free, and you can’t be detected doing so. But if you don’t have those facilities and watch TV on a telly, you can and will be fined if you don’t buy a TV license. Read more & comment »

Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED) today announced a partnership with the BBC to launch BBC iPlayer onto its platform, making its 3.5 million TV customers the first in the UK to get the popular service via a TV platform.

Viewers using BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media will be able to watch full screen pictures at full quality on their television set without the need for downloading.

As of today, Virgin Media customers will be able to catch up on their favourite BBC programmes by pressing the red button on any BBC channel. Read more & comment »

Erik Huggers, the BBC’s Group Controller for Future Media and Technology, today unveiled a collaboration with Nintendo UK to offer BBC iPlayer via the Nintendo Wii.

In a keynote speech at the annual MipTV-Milia conference in Cannes, Huggers revealed that as of today Nintendo Wii users can stream their favourite BBC programmes direct to their TVs via the console.

Huggers said: “Working with Nintendo marks another exciting milestone for BBC iPlayer.

“It underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many platforms as possible. Read more & comment »