The BBC is losing about £150 million a year from viewers without TV licences watching the corporation’s shows on iPlayer

BBC iPlayer users will have to register and sign in with a password to watch shows online in a move that could help the corporation to crack down on licence-fee evaders.

Those wanting to watch BBC shows online will have to enter their date of birth, gender, postcode and email address and sign up for an account before they can view programmes.

The BBC said yesterday that the move was not directly linked to enforcing the licence fee, explaining that it would allow viewers to create a personalised service that makes recommendations based on their viewing habits. Andrew Scott, director of the new, personalised myBBC service, added, however, that the corporation would be able to use the registration process to catch those who have contacted