TV Licensing and new Sky

Miami

I moved into my own place seven months ago and didn't purchase a TV licence, as my terrestrial signal is so bad that it's impossible to get a clear picture and the sound is staticky. I live in a block of flats, so went in search of the communal satellite aerial only to discover that it was connected to all my neighbours except for me :mad:

I chose not to take out a TV subscription at the time as I couldn't afford the cost, but today I came across a deal on TopCashback offering £120 for signing up with Sky for 12 months, with 25% off any TV bundle (I chose the Original as it suits my needs and is cheapest) and £75 bill credit, with a free Sky+HD box and only £10 installation fees. I purchased it through Sky (subject to the engineer being able to install the satellite) but now I have a question.

For the past seven months I've been legally licence free as my TV is only used for playing games on consoles. Subsequently, all correspondence to "The Occupier" from TVL has gone directly from the hall carpet to the recycling bin. However, I'm now wondering whether I'll need to take out a licence, as I work evenings (when many of the programmes I enjoy are broadcast) so I would primarily be recording programmes and watching them after work, which, if I've understood the rules correctly, mean that I am watching On Demand and NOT live TV and will not require a TV licence, as long as I don't watch TV live. But my Sky box will be capable of receiving live TV, so even if I don't use it to watch TV live, would I still need to pay for a TV licence because of this?

Sorry for the long-winded explanation, but I just want to be certain that I'm not inadvertently breaking the law. Thank you in advance

b33r

You haven't understood the rules correctly.

"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast."

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

[Deleted User]

Lots of good stuff on here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/805699

StuC75

Will definitely need a license for that since as per the other post, you will be recording the programs as they are broadcast - so it isn't 'On-Demand' by any stretch of the imagination.. On Demand is catchup \ Netflix type services, plus with the sky box its receiving the live broadcast - so its very difficult to imply that live broadcasts would not be watched (inadvertently) - granted that's more a morality point then legal burden of proof etc..

Cornucopia

Sky isn't really a suitable platform for being Legally Licence-free. I'm sure if Uncle Rupert knew that, he would fix it, but for the time being, I wouldn't suggest trying to go Licence-free whilst running a Sky box and/or Sky sub.

Now TV is the way to go, if you want access to Sky content, but no TV Licence. It's also considerably cheaper.

jeepjunkie wrote: »

Lots of good stuff on here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/805699

Have we really done 77 pages on that thread.... wow.

Miami

Thanks everyone Looks like I'll be getting a TV licence once Sky is installed.

I was going to go for Freesat until I discovered that the communal satellite aerial isn't connected to my flat :mad: Planning on getting the Sky for the contracted 12 months, then see if they have any good deals worth staying for or if not, cancelling my contract and buying a Freesat box or just use the old Sky box without being able to record etc. Thanks all