BBC denies iPlayer logins will be used to catch licence fee dodgers

Everyone who uses BBC iPlayer will have to log in with an account from early 2017, in a move which could eventually be used to catch licence fee evaders.

As well as having to enter a password before watching programmes, users will have to enter their postcode when registering.

The corporation has denied it plans to use such information to clamp down on viewers who do not pay the £145.50 annual fee, but a spokesman said this could change in future.

According to the Beeb, compulsory registration will help create a "more personal BBC for everyone".

Earlier this month, new rules came into force which means Britons need a TV licence in order to watch or download programmes on the BBC iPlayer.

This is an attempt to close the so-called "iPlayer loophole", which allowed people to watch shows without a TV licence after they had been broadcast.

At present, users are asked to confirm they have a TV licence before watching any content on iPlayer, but do not have to provide any details.

Licence fee evaders run the risk of prosecution and a £1,000 fine if they are caught.

Viewers do not need a licence to watch on-demand programmes from other providers, such as NOW TV, Netflix, ITV Hub, All 4 or Demand 5.

The BBC blamed a faster-than-expected fall in the percentage of households owning televisions because of people using catch-up for a £150m shortfall in licence fee income in 2016/17.

Further funding pressures are also on the horizon as responsibility for funding free TV licences for over-75s is due to be transferred from the Government to the BBC by the end of the decade.