BBC iPlayer now requires users to register and sign in

'You now need to sign in to watch. It's quick & easy. And we'll keep you signed in'

Previously, users were able to skip the registration process (The Independent)

BBC iPlayer has started forcing people to sign in, in order to use the catch-up service.

The corporation announced the move was coming last month, has now started putting its plans into action.

Previously, iPlayer users were being notified by a pop-up message reading, “You'll soon need to sign in to watch. It's quick & easy. And we'll keep you signed in.”

Options to sign in and register appeared alongside that note, but users could also skip the process by clicking “I’ll do it later”.

The option to skip has now vanished, meaning you‘ll be locked out of the BBC’s online service unless you enter your details.

The new iPlayer notification reads, "You now need to sign in to watch. It's quick & easy. And we'll keep you signed in."

However, this new message doesn't seem to be appearing for all users, suggesting the BBC is gradually rolling it out.

The corporation said the move would help it to identify anyone using the service without paying, but denied that it was part of a crackdown on licence-fee evaders.

It instead says the introduction of a login is part of its plans to make services “more personal and relevant to you”.

This includes tailoring programme suggestions to you, based on your viewing history, and a slicker user experience, where you'll be able to start watching a programme on one device before picking up where you left off on another.

It comes after new rules were introduced last year, meaning viewers need to have a TV licence to watch or download BBC programmes on-demand through iPlayer.