Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
#61
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Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
On the subject of needing a licence to access iplayer. If you were to piggy back on a friend or relative in the UK with a current full TV licence then why or indeed how would that person even appear on the radar of the TV licence "detectives"? Surely these guys have enough on there plates investigating residents with either no licence or a black and white licence.
#62
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
Presumably if the account is signed in 3 or 4 times a week for 52 weeks of the year that might indicate the account holder isn't actually on a fortnight's holiday in Benidorm.
#63
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Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
I may be wrong but as long as a licence number is supplied when accessing iplayer the Beeb won't care how many times there service is used.
#64
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
Of course it'll care, it has licensing agreements that prohibit overseas broadcasts, hence why iplayer is disabled for overseas viewing.
#65
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
Of course. One might even be accessing iPlayer at the office, factory, pub or whatever.
But access on multiple days 52 weeks of the year might draw attention.
The suggestion in the reports about this upcoming change suggests they are concerned.
But access on multiple days 52 weeks of the year might draw attention.
I may be wrong but as long as a licence number is supplied when accessing iplayer the Beeb won't care how many times there service is used.
#66
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Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
Things may have changed but when I got my tv licences I don't recall ever being asked either how many people lived in my house and how many devices I owned.
Last edited by GC44; Aug 5th 2016 at 12:20 am.
#67
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
As stated elsewhere, even VPN use can be detected.
#68
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Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
I agree, it certainly can be detected. The good news however is that we expats are not the only ones utilizing VPNs. There are statistics that claim up to 16% of internet users in the UK use VPNs.
#69
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
They won't know you are using it outside the UK if you VPN into the UK first before accessing it when using a friends TV license. Just don't sign up to a long term VPN sub so if they detect the VPN provider you are using you can hop onto another one.
#70
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
Presumably VPN providers will want to "keep moving" so they can switch their users onto a working alternative as necessary?
But is there a limit?
Honestly, why don't the powers that be just accept the new reality, get together and provide (for a fee) the service themselves.
The music world has adapted and, to a certain extent, the movie world, so why not the broadcast industry?
#71
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Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
There was a BBC Global iplayer, not sure how long it lasted but it closed fairly recently. Not sure why it ceased operation but I have a feeling the uptake was disappointing. After all why pay for a limited iplayer service when subscription to a decent VPN would give you access to the full UK iplayer service.
#72
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
There was a BBC Global iplayer, not sure how long it lasted but it closed fairly recently. Not sure why it ceased operation but I have a feeling the uptake was disappointing. After all why pay for a limited iplayer service when subscription to a decent VPN would give you access to the full UK iplayer service.
I didn't even know it had been available until I heard of it ending so it likely wasn't well advertised.
Almost as if they did it deliberately so they could claim there wasn't a demand for an overseas service.
#73
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
I don't know what it was called but it does sound like something discussed here previously.
I didn't even know it had been available until I heard of it ending so it likely wasn't well advertised.
Almost as if they did it deliberately so they could claim there wasn't a demand for an overseas service.
I didn't even know it had been available until I heard of it ending so it likely wasn't well advertised.
Almost as if they did it deliberately so they could claim there wasn't a demand for an overseas service.
Making the Global iPlayer only available on Apple platform certainly limited it's appeal.
Especially to those with Windows PCs
If Auntie could make it global for one platform, why not all ?
#74
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
Assuming one you move to hasn't already been detected I suppose.
Presumably VPN providers will want to "keep moving" so they can switch their users onto a working alternative as necessary?
But is there a limit?
Honestly, why don't the powers that be just accept the new reality, get together and provide (for a fee) the service themselves.
The music world has adapted and, to a certain extent, the movie world, so why not the broadcast industry?
Presumably VPN providers will want to "keep moving" so they can switch their users onto a working alternative as necessary?
But is there a limit?
Honestly, why don't the powers that be just accept the new reality, get together and provide (for a fee) the service themselves.
The music world has adapted and, to a certain extent, the movie world, so why not the broadcast industry?
I agree. I can use my Spotify (music) subscription whilst abroad, and my Netflix to a degree. They need to just offer access to UK iPlayer without a TV license, for a fee.
#75
Re: Any VPNs still work for BBC/ITV?
In the meantime the longer one gets it free (via a couple of reliable streaming sites - within an hour of end of UK broadcast - and FilmOn for something live like rugby or an England football game) the more difficult it will prove to be persuaded to part with cash.