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

Trentenders

Send them a photo of you sitting in an armchair facing an empty corner of your living room

Cornucopia

tenchy wrote: »

On what legal basis is this contemptible organization demanding "evidence"?

As far as I can tell, there is no legal basis for it. The closest they come to justifying it is that the BBC is authorised to set the Terms and Conditions for the Licence, and presumably the requirement to provide evidence in support of cancellation has been quietly added to the Ts & Cs. It would be interesting to know for sure.

Anecdotally, I had always heard that giving up TV was the one reason where they did not require evidence - because there was no evidence that could be reasonably be given. If that is no longer the case, then again it would be interesting to know.

Cornucopia

nyermen wrote: »

Remember you still need a tv license for any "live streamed" material.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/Live-TV-and-how-you-watch-it

Always wondered if this includes a friend doing a live stream to facebook.

This is not quite true, and BBC-TVL are known for their ham-fisted efforts with the English language.

The requirement is to hold a Licence to view TV Broadcasts via Terrestrial, Satellite and Cable TV and their internet-streamed equivalents. Or in other words: linear TV channels as they are screened and streamed to the Nation. You also need a Licence to use BBC iPlayer.

tenchy

Thank you for your replies. Looking again at the TV Licensing website, it seems clear to me that if you decide that watching tv is no longer for you, the maximum refund you're going to get is three months. The so-called evidence they require is all about moving out of the premises.

Cornucopia

tenchy wrote: »

Thank you for your replies. Looking again at the TV Licensing website, it seems clear to me that if you decide that watching tv is no longer for you, the maximum refund you're going to get is three months. The so-called evidence they require is all about moving out of the premises.

I think it's the other way around: going legally Licence-free is the only reason you can give that doesn't require any evidence for a refund of any duration. I would suggest giving that reason rather than "moving", "going abroad", etc. It is not an offence to lie to them.

There is no basis in law for them to refuse a refund - they are just fiddling around the edges with these demands for evidence.

System

Please could someone help me figure out if I can watch Wimbledon legally on YouTube without a TV licence?

I don't have a TV licence and do not watch any live TV, BBC anything anywhere etc etc...

I am a Wimbledon fan and have noticed for the first time this year that there's a Wimbledon channel on YouTube with a live stream.
If this is a TV channel also (or BBC) then, as far as I understand it, I wouldn't be able to watch it without a licence. The TV Licencing website contains the following information:

"Do I need a TV Licence to watch live TV programmes on an online-only TV channel? Yes. Online-only TV channels still count as live TV, so you need a TV Licence if you’re watching or recording their programmes."

So does that mean no, I can't watch it because it's an online channel? But is it an online channel? What if Pixiwoos do a live tutorial on YouTube, can I watch that? I am well confused :huh:

brewerdave

Wouldn't think the stream will stay up for long - Beeb will want it taken down pronto!!

Cornucopia

This is the official stream of Wimbledon, who own the rights, and the BBC will have no say in the matter.

Well, this one is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaVBYYPcs0c

The issue of the TV Licence for such services is complicated (certainly more complicated than the TVL website comment suggests).

The rule is this: IF the stream is a copy of a linear broadcast channel available in the UK via Terrestrial, Satellite or Cable TV (whether you have to pay for it or not), then you need a TV Licence.

IF it's not a parallel stream to a UK broadcast channel, then you do not need a Licence.

That's my view... IANAL... etc.

shavy65

OK, so I know the rules/requirements for a TV Licence.

But...if I cancelled mine are they really going to know?
My friend has had them visit him twice in the last 2 years (since he moved in, he`s never had a licence) and both times he just tells them he only watches Netflix.

After a few conversations it`s now apparent to me that what he is doing is very common nowadays.

Now, I feel like the sucker!

Cornucopia

I feel obliged to point out that (a) TV Licence evasion is an offence, and (b) MSE probably don't want people discussing the commission of offences in a positive light on their forums.

Personally, I would say that there are more than enough opportunities within the law for legitimate viewing of video content without a Licence that breaking the law should be unnecessary. Add in the several grey areas (which could be subject to a robust defence in Court) and there's very little FTA material that you cannot access without a Licence.

The difficulty arises, of course, in that TV Licensing who should be an open and impartial arbiter over the implementation of the law are anything but, and the information provided by them whilst broadly accurate in the main facts, starts to look a little ragged in the detail of exactly the kind that citizens need to know and understand.