Now you will have to pay a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer from September 1

British people will no longer be able to watch the BBC iPlayer without paying the licence fee.

New laws come into force on September 1 which are designed to close the so-called "iPlayer loophole" costs the Beeb a rumoured £150million a year.

It means anyone who watches any kind of BBC catch-up service will have to fork out for a £145 licence.

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A spokesman for TV licensing : “As of 1 September 2016, a change in the law means you need to be covered by a TV licence to download or watch BBC programmes on demand – including catchup TV – on BBC iPlayer. This applies to all devices. The change will not affect the huge majority of households which are already licensed.

“Fewer than 2% of households only watch catchup – and only those watching BBC iPlayer as part of their catchup and on-demand viewing will need to buy a licence from September."

The charges will not apply to catch up services from other television channels.

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The spokesman added: "You will not need a TV licence to download or watch programmes on demand from other providers, such as YouTube, Netflix, ITV Hub, All 4 or Demand 5.

"All unlicensed households are being mailed and a publicity campaign will happen before 1 September."