TV license about to run out. 23 January 2020 at 2:01PM in TV MoneySaving 41 replies 1.6K views

3secondmemory

Takmon said:

Hi 3secondmemory wrote: »

My TV license is about to run out and I’m considering going without live tv and BBC.

Can I still keep my Now TV even though it has live channels and apps for live tv? Technically I could access these on my phone or lap top - even my trusty old Kindle so is it just a question of honour that people don’t cheat?

I know they say they’ll send a detector van around or an ‘enforcement officer but Ivrarely watch anything new on the television - just old films.

I'm surprised people actually think there are detector vans :rotfl: ... how exactly do you think they would work?

I don’t precisely know but I’m sure someone could easily hack into my home Internet and see what I have been using! 

capital0ne

sevenhills said:

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

• download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.

Just buy a license.

I guess this means you need a licence or delete iPlayer from all your devices

Cornucopia

You don't need to delete iPlayer - the only legal requirement is not to use it (without a TV Licence).

sbeveridge

I have cancelled my licience and asked them can i watch catch up tv eothout one? They replied...The Communications Act 2003 states that a television receiver must not be installed or used unless the installation and use of the receiver is authorised by a TV Licence.
This is irrespective of whether the channels received are BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, satellite or cable programmes.  The TV Licence fee is payable regardless of the quality of the reception.

sbeveridge

This has confused me as I thought only watching live tv or recording required a licience not catch up tv?

Cornucopia

The missing information is that the term "TV Receiver" has a specific meaning defined in legislation - it is a TV set or other receiving device used to receive TV broadcasts.

You do not need a TV Licence to watch catch-up from commercial broadcasters (only the BBC content on iPlayer).

pphillips

TV receiver is an old fashioned term that means a TV connected to an aerial, cable or satellite dish. It is not talking about internet TV's smartphones etc, as these werent around in 2003. As technology has advanced, the legislation has been updated so that having broadband or mobile devices doesn't necessarily mean that you need a TV licence - it's how you use them that counts.

wymondham

pphillips said:

TV receiver is an old fashioned term that means a TV connected to an aerial, cable or satellite dish. It is not talking about internet TV's smartphones etc, as these werent around in 2003. As technology has advanced, the legislation has been updated so that having broadband or mobile devices doesn't necessarily mean that you need a TV licence - it's how you use them that counts.

This is TV licensing all over. Old antiquated confusing terms that mean little in the modern digital age, designed to put people off making the sensible decision to stop their licence.

pphillips

wymondham said:

pphillips said:

TV receiver is an old fashioned term that means a TV connected to an aerial, cable or satellite dish. It is not talking about internet TV's smartphones etc, as these werent around in 2003. As technology has advanced, the legislation has been updated so that having broadband or mobile devices doesn't necessarily mean that you need a TV licence - it's how you use them that counts.

This is TV licensing all over. Old antiquated confusing terms that mean little in the modern digital age, designed to put people off making the sensible decision to stop their licence.

You clearly can't rely on TV Licensing to provide impartial advice to consumers as their reason for existing is to sell licences. Thats why websites like this are so useful in providing clear information to empower others to choose whether or not they actually need a TV licence.

wymondham

pphillips said:

wymondham said:

pphillips said:

TV receiver is an old fashioned term that means a TV connected to an aerial, cable or satellite dish. It is not talking about internet TV's smartphones etc, as these werent around in 2003. As technology has advanced, the legislation has been updated so that having broadband or mobile devices doesn't necessarily mean that you need a TV licence - it's how you use them that counts.

This is TV licensing all over. Old antiquated confusing terms that mean little in the modern digital age, designed to put people off making the sensible decision to stop their licence.

You clearly can't rely on TV Licensing to provide impartial advice to consumers as their reason for existing is to sell licences. Thats why websites like this are so useful in providing clear information to empower others to choose whether or not they actually need a TV licence.

Indeed. I know so many people who say they have a licence as they can't be bothered with the hassle. What a great business model - people pay you as they are not sure if they have to and worry if they don't!  No wonder the BBC are reluctant to modernise.