TV chief suggests charging for using BBC iPlayer

The Chief Executive of Talkback Thames has suggested people that use the BBC iPlayer, an online service that allows people to watch TV shows they've missed, should be charged a small fee.

Lorraine Heggessey, who heads up the ITV production company, announced the idea while she was at an event being hosted by the BBC. The Chief Executive wasn't alone with the idea. Tony Cohen who holds the position of Chief Executive of Fremantle Media previously suggested the possibility of charging for the online TV services. Fremantle is undertaking a feasibility study regarding the idea at the moment. Online services such as the BBC iPlayer are becoming increasingly popular allowing people to watch TV shows from their computers when they want to, and the majority of TV channels are offering similar services. This coupled with a decline in ad revenue for commercial stations has lead to calls that some fee should be levied for the service. Fremantle says their research shows some people would be prepared to pay a fee up to about £2 to view some shows. For its part, the BBC said its doesn't intend to charge users for the service saying the cost of the iPlayer service is paid for by its license fee. Steve Hewlett, who used to work for Carlton Television, told the BBC, "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."