Having To Pay A Tv Licence Even If One Doesnt Have A T.v.?

ceridwen

I've just seen an article in today's papers - to the effect that the BBC are about to start broadcasting live tv on the Internet as from next week.

Does this mean that those of us without a t.v. licence will now have to start paying for one - on the grounds that we could be watching live t.v.?

I know the position at present is a somewhat odd one - ie that we can watch whatever tv programmes we like without a licence fee (provided its watched on a computer and after the event of it being broadcast).

So - I'm wondering what happens once t.v. coverage is live - do we have to buy a licence (in which case we might as well have a t.v. - even if we never watch it) - or would it be the case that we would only have to get that licence if our own computer is capable of "watching" live t.v.? (I'm not techno-minded enough to know if I'd have to buy a T.V. card or have one of those "media home entertainment centre" type p.c.'s to qualify as having to buy a licence - so I would be okay, as I don't have either of those things).

www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1087475/Will-online-BBC-One-Two-end-licence-fee.html

exel1966

Can't answer about the licience fee, but BBC do already transmit on the internet simultaneously whilst programmes are being aired on the tv and have done so for a while now. Match of The Day being one of the programmes.

I can't really see how enforcement of the licience fee can now be done with the internet being mobile.

esuhl

I believe that you need to actually watch a live programme before you become liable for the licence fee. If you own a TV, but only use it watch DVDs you don't need a licence. In the same way, if you have a PC but don't watch live broadcasts, you won't need one either.

exel1966 wrote: »

I can't really see how enforcement of the licience fee can now be done with the internet being mobile.

I can't really see how enforcement of the licence fee was ever done, since TV-watching is done in the privacy of your own home (which, generally speaking, can't be entered without a warrant).

exel1966

But it is done, you don't need a warrant if invited into your home do you. There's no accounting for what people will do and because they think they are obliged to let them in it will continue to be enforced.

MY point is how can they possibly enforce when someone is watching tv on a boat, train, on their laptop, phone etc. Are we going to have inspectors chasing people around the streets ? I don't think so.

moneypooh

esuhl wrote: »

I believe that you need to actually watch a live programme before you become liable for the licence fee. If you own a TV, but only use it watch DVDs you don't need a licence. In the same way, if you have a PC but don't watch live broadcasts, you won't need one either.



I can't really see how enforcement of the licence fee was ever done, since TV-watching is done in the privacy of your own home (which, generally speaking, can't be entered without a warrant).

I was told that if equipment could receive TV signals then it was counted even if only used for playing DVDs. We had an TV license inspector call at my work and this was what he told us. I can't see it be enforced for PCs though.

When purchasing a TV you had to give your name and address, this would then be checked against records held with the licensing authority and consequently they would call on you if you hadn't got one registered. It's been a while since a bought a TV so I'm not sure if this is still done??
I always found the 'man in a van' advert hilarious

exel1966

Will I need a TV Licence to watch programmes on other internet television services like those offered by Channel 4 or ITV?


If you are watching programmes as they are being shown on TV from other services, for example Channel 4 or ITV, then you will need to be covered by a valid TV Licence. If you are watching these services at home you will be covered by your existing TV Licence.

Do I need a licence?

You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, set-top boxes, video or DVD recorders, computers or mobile phones to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV.

If you use a set-top box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.

DNF

Hi,
In the future (not so far from now...) your IP Addaress will show whether you are watching and even when and what.... i think we are still enjoying the fact TV licence scheme is a little old but will be updated soon so enjoy it while it lasts....

DNF

sammie383

moneypooh wrote: »

I was told that if equipment could receive TV signals then it was counted even if only used for playing DVDs. We had an TV license inspector call at my work and this was what he told us. I can't see it be enforced for PCs though.

When purchasing a TV you had to give your name and address, this would then be checked against records held with the licensing authority and consequently they would call on you if you hadn't got one registered. It's been a while since a bought a TV so I'm not sure if this is still done??
I always found the 'man in a van' advert hilarious

That happened to my DH last year, he bought us a second tv whilst he was away, and then brought it into our house when he came back, we received a letter from TV Licencing about 2 months later stating he didnt have a licence. ( He had to give Argos his name/address when he bought it ) I just had to call them up and give them my Licence reference number. That was it then , all sorted.:D

123oleary

bt internet were quoted in the sunday times that they wouldn't hand over details of customer addresses without a court order so it would be difficult for the licence people to trace computer watchers.

ceridwen

DNF wrote: »

Hi,
In the future (not so far from now...) your IP Addaress will show whether you are watching and even when and what.... i think we are still enjoying the fact TV licence scheme is a little old but will be updated soon so enjoy it while it lasts....

DNF

Thanks for that. I didnt know that - but I suspect that is what will happen - ie that it wont matter if one's p.c. is capable of watching live t.v. on. I think what will be counted is whether one actually DOES watch live t.v. on it - and I thought the powers-that-be would be able to check that fact via one's I.P. address and incidentally do a bit of "spying" to see exactly what one is watching.

So I'm guessing all round that the position is likely to be:
- never mind what my p.c. is like
- never mind what recorded t.v. programmes I watch on it
- just DONT whatever I do actually watch live t.v. programmes on it (then their checking-up on me will show I watch zilch t.v. programmes live - therefore not due to pay a licence fee).


""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

On a different tack - I remember the days when it was a black and white licence for a black and white t.v. and a colour licence for a colour t.v. BUT they charged black/white tv owners the price of a colour licence if they had a video recorder - on the excuse that they had equipment that could receive colour pictures. Just a slight inconsistency here - as they couldnt actually WATCH those colour pictures!

greyster

they dont even get warrants for visiting your house, so they are going to struggle with IP addresses. Remember they won't know who lives behind the IP without a warrant of some kind.

They must continue on the same path which is scaremongering by letter. The facts used in the letters are completely pointless and the wording is designed to scare. 12 months in and I've about 10 versions of the letter including you have been referred to the local TV enforcement agency for investigation, before being sent another not so bad one again. There is no point phoning them to stop because they keep sending them.

I just use it for DVDs but on occassion I use the bbci player... in several locations.