The BBC has said it is open to blocking access to iPlayer for UK viewers who do not pay the television licence fee, as part of efforts to tackle a growing funding shortfall. Chief customer officer Kerris Bright told staff on an all-staff call that while such a "gate" is not viable now, since most iPlayer users already pay the fee and blocking access would create friction for them, the option would remain under review as streaming technology develops and viewing habits shift further towards IPTV.

Bright acknowledged that iPlayer is currently the only BBC service where such a block could technically be applied, though she cautioned that the data suggests it would cost more than it would generate in revenue and would not be a "silver bullet" for licence fee evasion. More than half a million people opted out of the licence fee in the BBC's last financial year, and while 94% of the UK population uses the BBC monthly, fewer than 80% pay the £180 annual fee. Director general Matt Brittin has separately described the current licence fee model as "a busted flush", with the corporation now in charter talks with the government over a possible overhaul of its funding.