Do I need to buy a license if I dont terrestrial TV?

bertiewhite

After experiencing television around the world of varying levels of quality from the dire to the average, I think the BBC provides extremely good value for money.

Cornucopia

Anthorn wrote: »

Getting back to the topic: Do you really need a license and will they know if you cancel your license? They have a database of all addresses and know when an address doesn't have a license.

Yes, but not having a Licence is not an offence.

If I'm reading cases correctly it doesn't really matter whether you watch BBC channels or not. What matters is that you could watch them because you own equipment which can access BBC channels. Basically if you don't want to pay the license fee get rid of your tv aerial.

No. The exact, basic offence is watching or recording traditional linear UK TV broadcasts (Live TV), their streamed equivalents or BBC iPlayer. It says as much on the TVL website.

Having said that, the Courts can and do accept evidence of installation of equipment (or Pay TV subs) where they deem it proof beyond reasonable doubt of reception without a Licence.

But it goes deeper than that because now we need a license to watch BBC online programming. Previously people got rid of their tv aerial and cable connection but still accessed BBC iPlayer and it's that loophole that has been closed.

So these days to avoid the license fee get rid of your tv aerial, your cable connection, your internet connection and for good measure your tv too.

No. BBC/TVL and the Courts accept the not unreasonable premise that accessing the Internet may or may not be for the purpose of streaming live TV, and require proof. Documents released by the BBC suggest that in general, prosecutions on this basis will only ever be by confession (which is how most TVL prosecutions are conducted).

You have always been able to own TVs, Monitors, Projectors etc., without a Licence if you were not using them to view TV broadcasts.

In short, the TV Licence is a licence for reception, not ownership.

Cornucopia

OFCOM has recently conducted research on public perceptions of the BBC:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/102958/bbc-distinctiveness-ipsos-mori.pdf

Maureen43

Hello All

My eldest is going to be in a student hall of residence this year.

Martin (MSE) says that she doesn't need a TV licence, provided I have one at home, and whatever device she watches TV on isn't plugged into the mains.

Is that right? I only ask as all the other parents I know have bought licences for their children. I don't want her to get into trouble....

Advice gratefully received!

Maureen.

DoaM

We haven't bought one for DD2, but then she doesn't watch live TV or catch-up - just DVDs etc.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1?WT.mc_id=r107&x=0#
This suggests a student can watch iPlayer etc. on a laptop or tablet that is running only on battery power. How TVL would ever know otherwise is another question.

Maureen43

Hmmm.

How would they know if the device was plugged in?

Clearly they are relying on honesty.

Bigphil1474

We had the TVL people round in the first couple of weeks of moving in to a shared student flat. Fortunately we only had one TV and one license, and the TV was in the living room. I remember him telling us that we would need one each if the TV was in our own separate rooms. Unlikely to ever have a TV that doesn't need plugging in, but a laptop is designed for working without plugging in, so should be fine. Just tell her to unplug it before opening her door.

Cornucopia

From the link provided by DoaM:

you may be covered by your parents’ licence. If you think you are, please check that all of the following are true before telling us you don’t need one:

- Your out-of-term address (parents’ address) is covered by a TV Licence

- AND you only use TV receiving equipment that is powered solely by its own internal batteries

- AND you have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains.

I would follow those instructions and all should be well. Except that I would not inform them that no licence is needed. There is no legal requirement to do it, and it makes no difference to their desire to visit the premises.

Maureen43 wrote: »

Hmmm.

How would they know if the device was plugged in?

Clearly they are relying on honesty.

The whole TV Licensing regime is a total can of worms that starts with them having no legislation behind their day-to-day enforcement activities. I would suggest providing your daughter with a paper copy of your Licence if you/she plan to make use of this exemption, so she can show it to any TV Licensing staff who happen to call. Other than that, she is under no obligation to speak with them, to show them any equipment, to prove anything to them, to answer any of their questions , to give or confirm her name or to sign any of their documentation (which she is best advised never to do).

Mutton_Geoff

I personally wouldn't bother. Make sure you're up to speed on the tactics of the TV licensing people:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQeKy1v-R-I


http://tvlicencegoons.blogspot.co.uk/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfHRhXW1hno


http://www.timetounite.com/bbc-tv-licensing-is-a-fraudulent-scam/

Maureen43

Thanks All!

She has now received a pretty threatening letter saying they are going to take action against her. However it is addressed to "the new occupant" so they don't have her name.

Am I right in assuming (as you have said above) that:
- she doesn't have to get in touch with them
- she doesn't have to give them her name
- she doesn't have to let them into her student flat or room
- she can ignore future letters!

I'd be grateful for your input.
M.