Question about TV licence

Cornucopia

igorjenz wrote: »

That's why I'm asking, if I will watch the same channel but not live, but with the delay, it will mean that TV licence is not needed anymore?
As it will be recorded show, just like on Netflix or Youtube.

Xbigman's answer is spot on.

If what you are watching is delayed locally, for example by pausing the live stream (as you can do on some UK broadcasters' live streaming services) then according to the BBC you still need a Licence.

If what you are watching is being streamed at a time that is specific to you from the Broadcaster then that is catch-up and definitely doesn't require a Licence.

As I said previously, this is how the BBC sees it. I disagree with their interpretation of the law, but it puts us in a tricky position of potentially having to comply with the BBC's interpretation because they make and enforce the rules, not because they are right - which is not a great position to be in.

This is a definitive answer (or as close to one as we will get given the BBC's reluctance towards openness on this issue).

igorjenz

Xbigman wrote: »

How are you delaying it? If it is like pausing live TV where you are in fact recording it then you need a tv licence to watch or record live broadcasts.
If the delay is simply a delay in starting the streamed program then that is catch up of some kind and I think you don't need a licence.

No I'm not going to record anything, it allows me to watch with the delay, for example for different timezones of watching, because this service is mostly for USA, and there is no point for people to watch night programmes during a day, so they use a delay.
And most of the time I'am just watching a recorded channel, not like proper live.

igorjenz

Cornucopia wrote: »

Xbigman's answer is spot on.

If what you are watching is delayed locally, for example by pausing the live stream (as you can do on some UK broadcasters' live streaming services) then according to the BBC you still need a Licence.

If what you are watching is being streamed at a time that is specific to you from the Broadcaster then that is catch-up and definitely doesn't require a Licence.

As I said previously, this is how the BBC sees it. I disagree with their interpretation of the law, but it puts us in a tricky position of potentially having to comply with the BBC's interpretation because they make and enforce the rules, not because they are right - which is not a great position to be in.

This is a definitive answer (or as close to one as we will get given the BBC's reluctance towards openness on this issue).

Honestly I wasn't looking to buy TV licence anyway, just wanted to understand their policy. 150 a year is not a lot, but I don't think that I should pay for something I'm not using at all.
Thanks for spending your time, and giving a best possible answer, it was really helpful.

Uxb

As others have said that's the way it/the law on this works in the UK.

In Germany for instance every single house/property pays their TV license equivalent regardless of whether they have any TV's in the property or not or whether or not they watch a broadcast via their computers, record it or whatever.
Its compulsory for all: end of story.
I'm sure those who live there and who have no TV etc at all to watch anything from any source are much annoyed by this - Well that is tough: - that's the way the law is in Germany.

okidoodle

I wonder how they consider youtube or facebook livestreams, if they are from a TV channel which normally broadcasts? So am I in need of a TV licence if I watch a livestream on youtube from sky news, but not if I just watch a livestream from Mr Random Youtuber?
There are also other stupid things which have had bad and hasty legislation follow them, for example -
My mother has a TV licence at her house. She also owns a flat and a static caravan. She can watch TV at the caravan, but not the flat without needing an additional licence. If she watches iplayer on her laptop at the flat when it is plugged in, that is not allowed, but if she takes the plug out, apparently she can watch it. Can she watch programmes which she downloaded at her house (where she is licenced) and watch them offline at the flat (where she is not)? What about downloading at the flat and watching at the house?
It's completely mental.

Cornucopia

okidoodle wrote: »

I wonder how they consider youtube or facebook livestreams, if they are from a TV channel which normally broadcasts? So am I in need of a TV licence if I watch a livestream on youtube from sky news, but not if I just watch a livestream from Mr Random Youtuber?

There might be some wriggle room around the detail, but THE live stream of Sky News on YT requires a TV Licence. If there was some other Sky News live stream (say Dermot Murnaghan's garden bird table) then that wouldn't require a Licence.

If she watches iplayer on her laptop at the flat when it is plugged in, that is not allowed, but if she takes the plug out, apparently she can watch it.

That's correct - a TV Licence allows members of the household to watch TV on portable equipment anywhere (and being plugged in is the distinction between portable and not portable).

Can she watch programmes which she downloaded at her house (where she is licenced) and watch them offline at the flat (where she is not)?

Yes.

What about downloading at the flat and watching at the house?
It's completely mental.

Yes, as long as the laptop isn't plugged in whilst downloading.

Unfortunately, as long as we have a TV Licence, there have to be rules, and personally I prefer our approach to that of some other countries where you need a Licence just to own a TV (and in some cases, a computer).

What doesn't help is the very secretive, uncommunicative approach of BBC-TV Licensing that works against the public properly understanding their options.

pinkcloud

I am nearly 80 and qualify for a free TV licence. I have never had a television.

My husband who was 90 when he died recently had a free TV licence. He had Sky but his TV developed a fault before he died so is not working.


I notified TV Licensing on the You Gov website of his death and posted back the licence. They sent me a letter saying they could not comply with my request because there was no licence at this property (Because they had cancelled it). Straightway they started sending me menacing letters about an unlicensed property. The last thing I needed when I was severely traumatised by my husband’s death.

I shall be living at his house for the foreseeable future sorting out his considerable affairs and what to do with both houses. My own house is uninhabitable.

I asked TV Licensing for my free TV licence as I would like to have my husband’s TV repaired and try out TV.

They refused and said I could only have a TV licence at the address where my National Insurance number is registered and it will never be registered here.

Can someone please tell me how I can get a TV licence.

pinkcloud

Doom_and_Gloom

Don't know if this is in the right place but I think it is.

Anyway we don't have a TV licence. We don't need one as although we have a TV the only things we do are play video games, watch DVDs or Blue-rays, watch Netflix and Crunchyroll (both don't require a license).
Our TV has for some strange reason never been able to gain picture of the channels on it's inbuilt free view and it's never bothered us so we never worked out the problem. We did have a freeview box at one point but that broke. We used to have sky TV but we didn't feel it was value for money so before our last TV licence expired we got rid of the sky TV (cancelled in February). As I stated we now use Netflix and Crunchyroll which are more suited to us and value for money.

I'm really angry that to these TV license people you are guilty just for not having a licence. They have bombarded us with letters warning about fines etc and today came to our home. I shut the door on them; I'm disabled and my husband was not here and the guy was intimidating in my opinion so yes I shut the door on them. Nothing entitles them to do this, it is harassment on their part. After years of paying for a TV licence the reason we don't have one is we do not need one. Why is it so hard for them to grasp?

We did this to save money and all it is doing is causing stress due to, what seems like, a guilty unless you physically prove otherwise system. :mad:

worried_jim

Pop the letters in the bin unopened, if they return simply invite them to foxtrot Oscar and close the door enjoying the rest of your day. It's that easy.

[Deleted User]

When you see that the BBC take so many to magistrates courts every year, approx 200,000 , a colossal figure , no wonder that they assume, quite rightly IMO that everyone who does not take out an annual TV licence is in most cases breaking the law and viewing live scheduled broadcasts as and when they see fit.
Using the Netflix excuse is a well worn tactic but who in their right mind could stomach the mostly rubbish American offerings. Netflix do produce a few good offerings but once you run through the good ones you are left with utter drivel .
More people are spending their TV money now on Netflix and Amazon Prime which adds up to coincidently, the TV licence fee of £150 but you will never convince me in a million years that 99% of the ones "claiming " to never watch any live scheduled broadcasts or any BBC all never watched the live broadcasts of the World Cup with England actually getting to the semi finals. They will claim to have watched it in a pub I reckon.
If the OP has nothing to fear, why do you not simply invite any TVL employees into see their equipment but I suppose that is too much to ask and they suddenly become a fortress and claim to be harassed.
The magistrates are inundated with TV licence dodgers so of course it makes sense to assume that most people who decide not to need a licence are actually watching all the live TV and BBC programs they want.. No one could stick to non stop Netflix, its not possible, even for Americans. Its too awful !
OP , you have the answer..guilty unless you physically prove otherwise as you say..then physically prove otherwise and let anyone in to see your set -up . That may well stop the constant letters at least for a year or so.
I realise that the OP is disabled but TVL employees are all vetted at the highest level and offer no danger whatsoever to spend a few minutes in your property having a quick look at your equipment.
I would expect that most Capita employees will not even want to come in once you have invited them in. An open invite is a way of proving that no TV licence is needed as claimed