All the main BBC television networks will be streamed online for the first time with the addition of the two main channels this week. Officially it is part of a 12-month trial, although it seems likely to become a permanent service. A new survey suggests the BBC iPlayer is incredibly popular among the online population. Once again this has raised questions about the long-term enforceability of the television licence in the United Kingdom.

BBC One and BBC Two will join BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies and BBC News, which are already simulcast online.

“The launch of BBC One and BBC Two online completes our commitment to make our portfolio of channels available to watch on the internet,” said Jana Bennet, director of BBC Vision. “From 27 November licence fee payers will be able to watch BBC programmes, live, wherever they are in the UK on their computers, mobile phones and other portable devices.”

The BBC iPlayer has already proved incredibly popular. A recent online survey of over 1,000 people conducted by YouGov for law firm Olswang found that 24% of respondents claimed to stream or download television programmes using the BBC iPlayer for at least one hour every week. A further 26% said that they used it at least once a week.

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