The BBC is under fire after launching a comprehensive online learning package that discriminates against those families without a TV licence.
Last Monday, 20th April, the BBC launched 14 weeks worth of lessons on its Bitesize platform, designed to facilitate the home learning of students during the current coronavirus lockdown period.
Many of the lessons require students to view programme clips on-demand via the BBC iPlayer, which requires a TV licence.
It's a farcical situation and one, to the BBC's defence for a split second, it probably never envisaged or intended when it persuaded the Government to close the so-called iPlayer loophole from 1st September 2016.
The day after that amended legislation came into force we wrote a short article highlighting this kind of problem in relation to videos embedded on the BBC News website, all of which can be considered BBC on-demand programmes (or parts thereof). Clearly, following the updated legislation to the letter, no-one can view those videos either unless they are covered by a valid TV licence. It is doubtful that was ever the BBC's intention.
Twitter user KJ Thundercat posted: "If I don't have a tv license, presumably that means my kids can't access the educational videos for home schooling on iPlayer, is that right? @BBC @bbcbitesize @tvlicensing"
The official TV Licensing Twitter account confirmed that was the case: "Hi, thank you for contacting us. You need a licence to download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer. For more information please see http://tvlicensing.co.uk/live."
A BBC spokesman attempted to allay concerns: "Bitesize Daily is available on a range of platforms which do not need a TV Licence, including Bitesize online, the Bitesize app and daily podcasts on BBC Sounds.
"Parents can also access further advice about teaching via BBC Bitesize Facebook and Twitter which will be updated regularly with helpful guides. A TV Licence is needed to access Bitesize content on BBC iPlayer, Red Button and BBC Four."
In our opinion that BBC comment is legally incorrect - a TV licence is required to watch iPlayer videos embedded on the BBC Bitesize website, as they can be correctly considered as BBC on-demand programmes.
Of course it is within the BBC's power to announce a total TV licence exemption for anyone using the Bitesize resources for home learning purposes.
The BBC doesn't do commonsense, clarification or benevolence, so it won't do that.
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