65 million watch BBC iPlayer overseas

Over 60 million people around the world are bypassing online restrictions to use the BBC’s iPlayer service, according to figures from research company GlobalWebIndex. It claims nearly 65 million people from abroad watch the UK licence-fee funded iPlayer service using proxy servers or virtual private networks (VPNs). In China alone it estimates that there are 38.5 million people using it.

Based on what the corporation previously charged for global iPlayer, which closed last month, the BBC could be missing out on many millions in potential income if it were collectable.

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http://advanced-television.com/2015/07/22/65m-watch-iplayer-overseas/

Of course we don't know how many people would watch iplayer if it wasn't free, probably way less than half that number, maybe not even a quarter of it. But even 10 million viewers paying £5/$8 a month would bring in 600 million pounds a year- a 10% boost to BBC coffers.

That would be a gross figure- there might be some reductions in income elsewhere from fewer people watching things like BBC america. But it's hard to see anything other than a considerable income gain from Global Iplayer access, providing free VPN access could be stopped (not certain if this is the case)