TV Licence

JamesWoolford

I have read a few different threads about this, and im rather confused.

Heres my problem;

I have lived in my own place for months now, when i moved in (Stupidly enough i never enforced the issue with my landlord) I noticed i have no TV Aerial.. so i can't physically watch live TV..

However, i link my laptop up to my internet and HDMI, put it into the TV and watch TV Catch Up - (lets you watch tv shows mostly freeview channels) - i do have SKY on my XBOX, however its my aunt's subscription account and i use it primarily to watch FOX (XBOX allows you to use any account linked to sky, and allows you to watch only certain channels trhough your xbox)

Anyway, yeah i have NO subscriptions to either sky or virgin etc and have NO ariel in my apartment.

Do i need a TV Licence (Ive been paying for one for the last 5 month)

I realise it does say if im not watching tv LIVE then i don't need to pay, im guessing tv catch up won't be exactly live streamed.. however surely thats rocky ground to base an argument on?

Thanks


Sorry about a lengthy question and thanks.

[Deleted User]

JamesWoolford wrote: »

I noticed i have no TV Aerial.. so i can't physically watch live TV..

With an indoor aerial you could easily watch live TV, you also say you have equipment capable of receiving live TV.
You are correct in paying for a TV license.

(Buy an indoor aerial or use a coat hanger!:D)

Stevenj214

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

With an indoor aerial you could easily watch live TV, you also say you have equipment capable of receiving live TV.
You are correct in paying for a TV license.

(Buy an indoor aerial or use a coat hanger!:D)

You can have all the equipment you like in your house without requiring a TV License. You only need a license if you "use TV receiving equipment to watch or record television programmes as they’re being shown on TV".

In the OP's case he does use equipment to watch television programmes as they're being shown on TV by using TV Catchup therefore does require a TV License.

[Deleted User]

Stevenj214 wrote: »

You can have all the equipment you like in your house without requiring a TV License.

Okay, but his point seems to be that he can't receive the live TV simply because he has no roof aerial. Clearly he can, and does, as you made clear.

JamesWoolford

The problem was (i was told) there used to be an ariel coming through... then on the same wall suffered from damp so the whole wall was re plastered etc, the people who done it decided to not put the aerial back through, theres no holes etc to thread it in, and up to now i still can't find my aerial lead, there are connections as the apartment above me has an ariel and above him does.. however nothing at all in mine.

So yes i have all the equipment to watch tv, yet no ariel to put in.

Ive tried an indoor one and it never worked (cheap ariel - but thought then if im going to spend a lot for an indoor one i may aswell get a proper one installed) - but ive got used to doing without, and for now id obviously rather not be paying the licence when im not watching tv LIVE and streaming it via my broadband and laptop.

With mixed views im not sure on what to do

Thanks for your reply

Naf

The question is simple; do you watch TV shows LIVE (i.e. as they are being broadcast)?
If the answer is no, you do not need a TV license; if yes, then you do.
Its as simple as that.

Restrain yourself to only using catch-up and watching shows after they've been broadcast (including the sky on the Xbox), and you do not need a license.

JamesWoolford

Well ive just spoke to someone via phone.

Explained exactly what ive said here elaborating i have no physical ariel in the property indoor or outdoor and i watch tv on demand/catch up.

She responded with "You dont need a licence, as you are unable to broadcast live signal to the tv"

I explained again how all i watch is on demand etc over the net, she returned with "As long as you dont stream live TV online, then theres no need for a licence"

I have to fill in a refund form and someone might come round the property to inspect it.

Im not a one to break any kind of laws (Im that honest i even got myself in this mess without looking for an ariel in the beginning) but how on earth can they ever check that your not streaming live tv via a computer or other devices? the amount of people of which will illegally do this must be huge, how would they (TV Licensing) ever find out?

Meh, either way hope this is helpful to someone who may find it.

James

LittleVoice

JamesWoolford wrote: »

I have read a few different threads about this, and im rather confused.

Heres my problem;

I have lived in my own place for months now, when i moved in (Stupidly enough i never enforced the issue with my landlord) I noticed i have no TV Aerial.. so i can't physically watch live TV..

However, i link my laptop up to my internet and HDMI, put it into the TV and watch TV Catch Up - (lets you watch tv shows mostly freeview channels) - i do have SKY on my XBOX, however its my aunt's subscription account and i use it primarily to watch FOX (XBOX allows you to use any account linked to sky, and allows you to watch only certain channels trhough your xbox)

Anyway, yeah i have NO subscriptions to either sky or virgin etc and have NO ariel in my apartment.

Do i need a TV Licence (Ive been paying for one for the last 5 month)

I realise it does say if im not watching tv LIVE then i don't need to pay, im guessing tv catch up won't be exactly live streamed.. however surely thats rocky ground to base an argument on?

Thanks


Sorry about a lengthy question and thanks.

Is Fox live broadcast?

JamesWoolford

LittleVoice wrote: »

Is Fox live broadcast?

Via the XBOX(which isnt my subscription), catch up on family guy, american dad etc

BazzaDP

Technically you probably don't need one. However Catchup Live is nearly live so I think it's a legally grey area. Could also lead to hassle from inspectors so up to you whether worth the hassle.

Morally (if that matters at all to you), you do seem to be watching TV, so in my opinion should pay for it like the rest of us do. But then again that's just my opinion.

iammumtoone

I have been thinking for a while of not having a licence anymore. I don't watch tv in the day time and my evening viewing is always interrupted by my son so I watch my programs on 'catch up' via the pc. I must admit I do have 'live' tv on but I am not really watching it, it is just noise in the background. The only reason I haven't given up the licence is due the fact if I don't hav it I may want it and I am sure I would then suddenly find a reason why I had to watch something live (as I do sometimes if its a show I really want to see but there is nothing that can't wait really) and because like it has been pointed out I would worry about how I would get fined as I have an ariel.

As a side note james how did you link your laptop so you can watch on the tv? I am always having to view my programes on the small pc monitor.