24 September 2009 | Author: K. Todd Search Copywriter

TV exec wants BBC iPlayer to charge viewers

Many web users will be unhappy to hear the news that Lorraine Heggessey, the chief executive of Talkback Thames, has stated she thinks that users of the free BBC iPlayer service should be charged.

She was speaking at a BBC event on Tuesday when her suggestion of "micro-payments" was made. The chief executive of parent company Fremantle, Tony Cohen, also expressed belief that the catch up TV service should grab the revenue opportunity. According to BBC News, research from Fremantle indicated that some users would be happy to pay up to £2 for particular shows.

However, the suggestions have so far been struck down by the BBC, which said: "The cost of the BBC iPlayer is covered by the licence fee, so UK users have already paid for this service."

A good point - but one that was contested by Steve Hewlitt, an industry expert, who argued: "The BBC never thought it was appropriate to give away DVDs, so why should catch-up be free?

"Traditionally, licence fee payers have paid for access on a TV set - and only for the first transmission."

Whether the case is true that audiences who have paid for their licences have, in turn, also paid for the use of the iPlayer, it remains to be seen if they will be happy if the BBC decides to change its mind. After all, it's not uncommon for companies to go for the revenue model as soon as they discover the potential their services have.

However, for those who purposely avoid television in favour of catching up with the iPlayer - and for those who miss shows but cannot record them - the proposal may not be so welcome.