Is It Moral To Access BBC IPlayer Outside The UK

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave27360
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dave27360

Guest
Hello,

This post is regarding if it is morally acceptable to access BBC IPlayer Online if you live outside of the UK. I am in the United States and have accessed BBC IPlayer by going around their geoblock. I also am unable to purchase a UK TV Licence since I am ouside of the UK.

The BBC’s Personal Use Terms Of Service (bbc.co.uk/terms/personal.shtml) 3.2, 3.21, & 3.22 Is the area I am focusing on regarding if it is moral.

"3.2 How you may NOT use BBC Online Services

3.2.1 If you are outside the UK
You may not access, view and/or listen to certain parts of BBC Content (such as video or live television services) using BBC Online Services if you are outside the UK, although you may, in accordance with the Terms, access and view bbc.co.uk or other websites and listen to some (but not all) BBC radio content. The types of BBC Content that may be available outside the UK will usually depend on the BBC’s agreements with the persons who own rights in such content.

3.2.2 If you do not have a valid television licence
You may not watch television programmes using BBC Online Services on any device (including mobile phones, “smart” phones or devices, laptops, tablets and personal computers) at the same time (or virtually the same time) as the programmes are being broadcast, simulcast or otherwise made available by the BBC on television, unless you have a valid television licence. For more information on this requirement please see the Frequently Asked Questions or you can contact TV Licensing by calling 0870 241 5590 or by visiting www.tvlicensing.co.uk."

There are two areas which I am concerned with.
  1. Is it morally acceptable to access BBC Iplayer Catchup TV from Outside the UK?
  2. Is it morally acceptable to access Live BBC TV from Outside the UK without a UK TV Licence?
Thank You for the advice.

Dave27360
 
Dave27360 said:
Hello,

This post is regarding if it is morally acceptable to access BBC IPlayer Online if you live outside of the UK. I am in the United States and have accessed BBC IPlayer by going around their geoblock. I also am unable to purchase a UK TV Licence since I am ouside of the UK.

The BBC’s Personal Use Terms Of Service (bbc.co.uk/terms/personal.shtml) 3.2, 3.21, & 3.22 Is the area I am focusing on regarding if it is moral.

"3.2 How you may NOT use BBC Online Services

3.2.1 If you are outside the UK
You may not access, view and/or listen to certain parts of BBC Content (such as video or live television services) using BBC Online Services if you are outside the UK, although you may, in accordance with the Terms, access and view bbc.co.uk or other websites and listen to some (but not all) BBC radio content. The types of BBC Content that may be available outside the UK will usually depend on the BBC’s agreements with the persons who own rights in such content.

3.2.2 If you do not have a valid television licence
You may not watch television programmes using BBC Online Services on any device (including mobile phones, “smart” phones or devices, laptops, tablets and personal computers) at the same time (or virtually the same time) as the programmes are being broadcast, simulcast or otherwise made available by the BBC on television, unless you have a valid television licence. For more information on this requirement please see the Frequently Asked Questions or you can contact TV Licensing by calling 0870 241 5590 or by visiting www.tvlicensing.co.uk."

There are two areas which I am concerned with.
  1. Is it morally acceptable to access BBC Iplayer Catchup TV from Outside the UK?
  2. Is it morally acceptable to access Live BBC TV from Outside the UK without a UK TV Licence?
Thank You for the advice.

Dave27360
Click to expand...
If they say you are not to do so, and/or you have to get around a software block to do it, then, IMNAAHO, this would not be moral to do.

Bear in mind, however, I am just an average sinner!

ICXC NIKA
 
Thank You for your opinion GEddie,

Looking a little more into the issue the BBC does have some specific examples on What you can’t and can do if your outside the UK.

Source iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/outsideuk

"I’m outside the UK – Can I use BBC iPlayer?

Because of rights agreements you can only download or stream BBC iPlayer TV programmes while you’re inside the UK.

What you can do outside the UK

You can listen to and download most radio programmes outside the UK via a computer. You can also download and listen to BBC podcasts outside the UK. However, some things like sports programmes may be unavailable due to rights agreements.

Highlights from many BBC News programmes are also available outside the UK, as are BBC Sport videos."

So in this case the Content is Geo Locked because of the BBC’s rights agreements to stream TV programmes. If it’s BBC’s produced content then it is funded by the UK TV Licence which I don’t pay as I don’t live in the UK. If it’s not BBC’s produced content then the BBC still has to pays money to be able to make the show available for streaming and downloading. Also other Networks in my Country (The United States) may have already also paid money for the same show.

Does anyone else have an opinion on this issue? How does UK Citizens feel about non UK Citizens accessing BBC Content?

Dave27360
 
I was trying to watch some shows online on the BBC network. But, I live in the United States. BBC is showing some shows on British Airways and I think Heathrow Airport. I am very much interested in aviation, I just wish I was able to watch these shows!!!
 
I believe that the show that you are referring to is “A Very British Airline”. bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01yyh99.

The reason I question if it is moral or not to access BBC Iplayer Outside the UK is programs such as this have no legal availability in the United States. The BBC World News Can be accessed via Cable/Satellite Channel, and the World News Program is available on some local Public Broadcasting Stations, however this news is not the same as BBC News located within the United Kingdom. There is no legal way to access the internal BBC News from Outside the UK as it is funded by the UK TV Licence.
 
YES ! A very British Airline !!! =) I have BBC and BBC news on AT&T U-Verse, I am hoping they will air this program on either channel.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top