You answered the actual question asked (my emphasis added below): > Dumb user question: Why is this URL redirecting to https:// https:// from http:// http://

You answered the actual question asked (my emphasis added below): > Dumb user question: Why is this URL redirecting to https:// https:// from http:// http:// It appears the intent of the question was the inverse—the link redirects from HTTPS to HTTP (the mechanics of which have already been addressed by another comment). I don’t think you should have been downvoted for answering the question as stated in good faith, even if it wasn’t the intent of the question. With that said, the question to me is why does the BBC downgrade HTTPS requests for older content to HTTP permalinks? It seems to me that’s probably more complex than just serving the same content for both protocols. Perhaps it’s policy, or regulatory?