In a surprise move BT has announced plans to start charging customers for watching BBC content via their IPTV service. Those using the service had previously enjoyed free access to a string of BBC programs via the IPTV service but this is now set to change with the introduction of a œ3 a month TV Replay subscription fee.
Even though the content is still available free to view via the BBC iPlayer service, BT claims that the IPTV medium offers a much high standard and more reliable delivery system. In a strange move they also claim that the BBC content had only been free in the interim period because of ?technical issues' and the ?free' element had never been widely promoted as a means of attracting new customers.
The BBC has confirmed that they will not be receiving a slice of the BT subscription fee and they now join Channel 4 as part of the TV Replay package. While the monthly subscription fee is maybe a sign of things to come with broadband services in the UK being pushed to the limit, it seems highly unlikely that the likes of the BBC and Channel 4 will not request a share of the subscription fees in due course.