Apologies - TV License Question

thewrongtrousers

We don't watch live TV, only od services, Netflix and Youtube. In our previous house we didn't even have an aerial. However we have just moved house and there two aerials and cables to/in every room for TV's.

I have searched numerous websites including this one regarding this but have seen both yes and no and vague answers both ways. MSE says;

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.

But does that include the cable that goes to each room?

Currently we only have one TV and the cables in every room are all wound up with elastic bands. But is this enough? The TV isn't tuned in currently but is a digital one so will tune automatically once its plugged in and I press a button.

I was hoping someone may have had an experience that might be able to clarify one way or other.

[Deleted User]

The TV licence is required -
• To use any TV equipment to watch or record any TV
programmes as they are being shown on television.
• This includes watching or recording streamed services and
satellite TV broadcast from outside the UK. If you only watch on-
demand services, then you don’t need a licence.

The above is taken from a current TV licence and makes no reference to aerials/cables installed in domestic premises so the main point is that you need a licence only if you watch programmes as they are being transmitted, ie no licence is currently required if you only watch "catch up" TV.

Heinz

Deleted_User wrote: »

The TV licence is required -
• To use any TV equipment to watch or record any TV
programmes as they are being shown on television.
• This includes watching or recording streamed services and
satellite TV broadcast from outside the UK. If you only watch on-
demand services, then you don’t need a licence.

The above is taken from a current TV licence and makes no reference to aerials/cables installed in domestic premises so the main point is that you need a licence only if you watch programmes as they are being transmitted, ie no licence is currently required if you only watch "catch up" TV.

Absolutely, having the capability to watch or record live TV is not the issue, it's the use of such equipment for either purpose that has to be proven for a prosecution.

PaulW922

If your TV is capable of receiving broadcast television, regardless of medium, you need a TV licence.

Quentin

PaulW922 wrote: »

If your TV is capable of receiving broadcast television, regardless of medium, you need a TV licence.

Ignore this.

The correct answers have been given in the posts prior to this incorrect "advice" (anyone can post here as we are warned at the top of every page)

almillar

Gold Star for warhead, Heinz and Quentin for giving the correct information, black mark for PaulW922 for being wrong.
Your TV might TRY to tune when you switch it on but it won't find anything without an aerial.

Stevie_Palimo

They are gits though the guys who work for the TV licensing dept as they came to a property of mine many years ago that was not lived and basically stated that I had a tv being used which was not the case, Anyway after a heated debate at my door and even one guy trying to look into the property they were told under no uncertain terms to do one.


They remind me of leeches and I think it is about time the tv licence was abolished and the BBC made to pay for itself as the other channels do, I begrudge paying it.

Cornucopia

If you have "cables in every room" you may also have some kind of distribution box somewhere on the premises. I would also power that down, if it is relatively simple to do. If nothing else, there's no point in paying even the relatively small running cost if it's not in use.

Doing that should have the effect that the signal is no longer available in the rooms, even though the cables remain in place.

Obviously, the TV should not be plugged in to any aerial connection. I would also try tuning in one or more radio stations, to see if that will stop the "start-up" tuning behaviour of the set. And finally, I would suggest securing the cables with cable ties as a more permanent gesture in preference to elastic bands.

Apologies - TV License Question

No need to apologise for asking a perfectly reasonable question.

[Deleted User]

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

I begrudge paying it.

I don't pay it.