TV Licence

SlimShady

Just read the following article (apologies, but as a new user I am not allowed to post the hyperlink, so please copy into browser):

moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence

I am seeking some clarification regarding the above article (especially point 7) based on my circumstances.+My situation is such that I have the Talktalk Essentials TV package. If I do not require a tv licence, then my intention is to only view programmes using the 7 day catch-up tv facility that the Youview box provides going forward, and to not watch or record any “live” tv.

However, the nature of the Youview box set-up means that a working aerial is connected to the Youview box and the box is connected to the tv, and hence the tv does receive live tv – but my intention would be to not watch (or record) any live tv.

Given the above set-up ie. I have the ability to watch “live tv” but do not actually watch the “live tv” – would I be within my rights to cancel my TV Licence, if I stick to my intention of only watching catch-up tv.

I require clarity as point 5 in the article states “Once you do cancel your licence, TV Licensing may visit your home to check that no licence is required. TV Licencing said that on these inspections, it has found that almost one in eight households do still need a TV licence.” Would my set-up be one where the inspectors rule against my understanding of this article?

Any clarification would be most welcome as I am not willing to cancel my tv licence until I have confirmation whether it would be legal under my set-up and intentions.

Niv

From what you have said, you need a tv licence as you recieve live tv, otherwise anyone with a sky box could claim that they only use it to listen to the radio and therefore do not need a licence.

davemurgatroyd

Although you will not watch live TV you will be receiving live broadcasts in the form of the EPG data essential for the service.

4justice

No you do not need a tv licence if only watching catch up. Even if you have apparatus capable of receiving live tv, you only need a licence if you "watch or record" as it is broadcast.

There is no legal need for you to disconnect an aerial or sky box from your tv. It is legal for example to have a Sky box plugged in to only use the radio channels.

I went licence free two years ago, I don't have an aerial so I can't get freeview; I have a sky box (free channels only) which I could leave plugged in, but in practice I have disconnected it to avoid "temptation".

SlimShady

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

No, you need a TV license.

So is point 7 in the above mentioned moneysavingexpert article incorrect...as the article implies just having the ability to view live tv does not matter, it is whether I warch or record live tv.

Thanks for all the responses so far. We already have views for both requiring a licence and for not requiring one. I would appreciate any other views especially from any experts in this area from MSE, lawyers or TV licensing itself, as I am afraid the article can be read in both ways.

VisionMan

A YouView box not only needs an internet connection to work, it also needs an aerial connection. So you need a TV licence.

Note - One can use a box just with an internet connection, but you won't get the full functionality of the box (such as say no ITV Player).

SlimShady

VisionMan wrote: »

A YouView box not only needs an internet connection to work, it also needs an aerial connection. So you need a TV licence.

VisionMan - Surely an aerial connection means I have the "ability" to watch live tv - it does not mean that I will watch live tv.

Point 7 in the article states:

IF YOU HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO WATCH, BUT DON'T WATCH, YOU DON'T NEED A LICENCE

Many wrongly believe that you'll need to be covered by a TV licence if you have the ability to watch "live TV", this is even if you don't watch it.

This is an urban myth: just because you have the ability to watch "live TV" doesn't neccessarily mean you need a licence. You'll only need a licence if you actually watch "live TV".

So, if you've got an aerial on your roof/satellite dish/TV with built-in Freeview etc, but you don't actually watch "live TV", you don't need a licence.

Are you saying the article is incorrect?

littleboo

You dont need a licence, you can have the capability to watch broadcast TV without a licence, it's only when you actually do so that a licence is required.

From the TV Licencing web site
"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder."

I'm not sure how Youview boxes get their EPG, if its over broadband, you should be able to disconnect the aerial

[Deleted User]

Just another Tv license thread set to rumble on with the same arguments as the last one.

Move along please, nothing (new) to see here...

[Deleted User]

If you don't watch live TV or record it then a license isn't required its quite clear on the TV Licensing website under all the FAQ's

VisionMan

SlimShady wrote: »

VisionMan - Surely an aerial connection means I have the "ability" to watch live tv - it does not mean that I will watch live tv.

Hi, I get what you mean, and the article is correct.

But a YouView box is unique. It needs both an active internet connection and an active aerial signal to work with full functionality.

Take the EPG for example - this uses a combination of both internet updates and aerial signals to work. And I've already mentioned the ITV Player as well.

Let me put it this way - I wouldn't want to be in court saying 'Oh no, I never watched live TV M'Lud, even though I had a live aerial plugged into the box.'

No doubt others will disagree, as this topic is actually a very contentious one, which never gets resolved...