BT and EE TV customers could be in for a surprise next week as how they record and watch BBC programmes on their set top boxes is about to change.
Customers with the BT or EE TV Box Pro set-top box can currently record any BBC programme directly onto the hard drive of the box to store it indefinitely and watch it back at any time – even when using ‘Internet Mode’.
These boxes can beam BBC TV into living rooms using a traditional aerial connection, but also offer viewers an Internet Mode so they can tune into Freeview broadcasts using a broadband connection.
From 27th August, BT and EE customers will still be able to record BBC programmes but will be directed to the BBC iPlayer app to watch them. Oddly, recordings will still take up space on set top boxes but will then default to playing back in iPlayer, which streams over an internet connection. The recordings themselves are not technically accessed.
As first reported by Cord Busters, this means viewers will not be able to keep programmes stored indefinitely when viewing or recording in internet mode, and their catch-up experience will basically mirror that of simply using the BBC iPlayer app, which often sees programme availability expire after initial broadcast. This is a set number of days or months and varies between programmes, but is often just 30 days.
BT and EE customers have been receiving emails informing them of this change.
“As you’re watching EE TV in Internet Mode (without an aerial), the way you watch your BBC recordings will change,” the email says.
“From August 21, your BBC recordings will launch through the BBC iPlayer app. There’s no change to how you’ll record a programme, or where it will be stored.”
The date has now changed to 27th August.
”The way we watch TV is evolving, and EE TV is evolving with it,” an EE spokesperson told Express.co.uk. “That’s why our TV Box Pro features Internet Mode, which enables customers to watch their favourite shows without needing an aerial installed.
“Our TV channel partners (like the BBC) are adapting with this change and exploring new ways to give customers the best possible viewing experience when watching over the Internet.
“As a part of this evolution, the BBC has asked TV providers for any future BBC programmes that are recorded to now play through BBC iPlayer. This will make sure that when our customers playback the content they watch it in the highest quality, pick up where they left off if watching on additional devices.”
EE has reportedly confirmed that even if a customer records a programme after this date, if it is not available on iPlayer then that recording will not be accessible. Cord Busters said that any existing recordings on customers’ Pro Boxes will remain accessible.
While this is a big change for Customers who use their BT or EE TV Box Pro in Internet Mode, those who watch with an aerial connection will be able to continue to record live broadcasts and watch them back indefinitely.
BT first unveiled its Box Pro set-top box in 2021. Last year, BT moved all its branding to EE and now sells the EE TV Box Pro, which has similar functionality.