How to get out of paying TV license (yes, REALLY)

gemmanemesis1

This worked for me. I read carefully through the terms and conditions of the TV license site, I have copied and pasted below directly from the site. Basically, you only have to pay for a license if you watch or record live TV, so if you have a digibox with Catch up tv, on demand TV, 4OD, BBC I player etc, and are willing to use only these features, you do not have to pay. It is perfectly legal. I rang them today and told them I have Virgin TIVO, but that I am happy only to use the on demand features because I cannot afford a TV license. (I have access to a full week's past recordings on demand and am perfectly happy not to watch live programmes) The fact that live TV is available on it is irrelevant, they cannot accuse you of watching it unless they catch you watching it, and they will send someone out to check up on you! I think this has probably changed because a TV license is not required for watching catch up TV on computers, but only if you watch live TV on a computer. It would be ridiculous if they hit everyone with TV licences for their PCs just because they had access to live TV on them, so you are given the benefit of the doubt that you are only using it for past recordings. These days you can use your TV in exactly the same way if you have TIVO, SKY or Virgin plus, so it would be contradictory to enforce it for a TV, but not a PC..Surprisingly, they did not argue with me at all, agreed I didn't need a license and took me off their database...Have a read below guys, directly from the TV License site..I have put the important bit in bold italics!
How to tell us you don't watch TV

If you don’t watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on TV, on any device, you don’t need a TV Licence. Here’s how you can let us know.

The law states that you need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes, on any device, as they're being shown on TV. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and Blu-ray/DVD/VHS recorders.
You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

clive12

without sounding rude i dont think you are correct unless you are blind or over 75 then you need a license to watch tv.

if they took you to court you have no way of proving you dont watch live tv.

vax2002

clive12 wrote: »

if they took you to court you have no way of proving you dont watch live tv.

There lies the problem, getting a you to become a person with a name and confirm it.
I have never seen a prosecution against anyone called you.
Telling them who "you" is is an entirely voluntary act

Kurtis_Blue

If you dont watch OR RECORD live TV you dont need a TV licence, it is not a secret.

If your Tivo records the programs as they are broadcast you need a licence, and it does, so you do.

gemmanemesis1

I just want to highlight: This is from the TV Licence website conditions!

You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

I rang and asked about this. You do not have to prove you don't watch live TV, they will send someone round to check on you remotely with a detector, and as long as you are not doing it you are fine. You can watch live TV and on demand TV on a computer also, but if you are not using it for live TV they have to take you at your word. Just go to the site and read it if you don't believe me. It's just one of those things that are not obvious, and hardly anyone knows about

gemmanemesis1

Yes Kurtis, that is correct. you cannot make any recordings, however, catch up, BBC Iplayer, 4OD, etc, are all allowed. You can still watch all your fave programmes, but you will just be a day behind, which is worth saving £145 in my opinion. I will remind everyone I have discussed this with the TV Licence company on the phone

Kurtis_Blue

Its not a secret.

vax2002

The trouble is, if you answer the door to capita and sign his bit of paper, they tell lies and fill the rest in later, so you are not in much of a different situation than the dodgers.

jamespir

gemmanemesis1 wrote: »

I just want to highlight: This is from the TV Licence website conditions!

You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

I rang and asked about this. You do not have to prove you don't watch live TV, they will send someone round to check on you remotely with a detector, and as long as you are not doing it you are fine. You can watch live TV and on demand TV on a computer also, but if you are not using it for live TV they have to take you at your word. Just go to the site and read it if you don't believe me. It's just one of those things that are not obvious, and hardly anyone knows about

what they say on their website is one thing but
they told me if you have the ability then you need a licence i myself was prosecuted and sent to jail for not paying it

clive12

vax2002 wrote: »

There lies the problem, getting a you to become a person with a name and confirm it.
I have never seen a prosecution against anyone called you.
Telling them who "you" is is an entirely voluntary act

wouldnt the fact you are the registered person at the property vis things such as the electoral roll be a giveaway.

i work at a court and each week we have lots of people who havent paid their license fees so they seem to be able to find out and prosecute.

yep its a grey area but for a £100 odd quid doesnt seem worth the risk of getting caught.

gemmanemesis1

Really? That's awful. Well their calls are recorded, and the representative I talked to was quite clear that it was fine and took me off their database, so if there is a dispute I will just ask them to listen to the call. I would recommend calling them first, confirming everything on the phone rather than just not paying. If you don't let them know you don't need a license you will be pursued, and that's when things become complicated I would imagine. I was 100% honest with them so I have nothing to hide.