BT has now begun to charge its television service for users looking to view on-demand BBC content. BT Vision users until now could view EastEnders and other programmes for free of charge, but now they would need to sign up. The £3-a-month television Replay subscription fee would be charged for this.

BT stated while the same content was available on computers, it could be watched in ‘top quality’ through its service. The BBC remarked it was happy the shows were being offered through the ‘lowest possible subscription tier’ of BT.

A BBC spokeswoman clarified:

In line with other television platforms where BBC programmes are offered on demand, the BBC requires that all public service content should be made accessible via the lowest cost subscription tier.

She underlined the BBC would not make any monetary gains from the new arrangement.

Meanwhile, the BBC announced BBC One would be streamed live on the corporation’s site by the end of the year. A spokeswoman announced all BBC channels would be streamed live online eventually.