Do I need a TV licence?

renegadefm

Just recently bought a copy of computeractive magazine, and they we're promoting the fact we can watch free TV without the need for a TV licence.

Apparently if we have a computer monitor or basically anything than can view video other than a standard television we dont need a standard television licence.

They went onto promoting VPN's. For anyone who dont know what a VPN is, its software or an app that changes your IP address to allow a computer or android phone, tablet etc to view TV channels from abroad to extend our free television viewing, and suggesting we dont need a UK television licence to do so providing its not done via a television, and only done via a PC monitor or laptop, phone etc.

My theory is if it was that easy everyone would be doing it, and could save a fortune, all done on a relatively cheap broadband package.

My question is it really legal?

onomatopoeia99

You require a TV licence to watch or record TV as it is broadcast, or to watch BBC catchup services. It doesn't matter what device you use to do this. You do not require a TV licence to own a device capable of watching live TV broadcasts, it is the act of doing it that requires the licence.

Watching Eastenders or Holby on your computer screen rather than a TV does not exempt you from needing a licence.

Cornucopia

renegadefm wrote: »

My question is it really legal?

No.

The rules are exactly as onomatopoeia99 has described.

Forget "computer screens" in this. I have a 43" LCD TV and a Now TV box and I do not need a TV Licence because I only watch commercial catch-up, boxsets and video-on-demand content.

I even watch the odd BBC program as they appear on GOLD catch-up or Youtube - and that doesn't require a Licence, either.

It's always disappointing when media sources misunderstand or misrepresent the TV Licence rules. I appreciate that TV Licensing themselves may not be the best source of reliable, understandable information, but the truth is relatively easy to find (for example in MSE's article).

Cornucopia

{Removed_by_Forum_team} wrote: »

{Removed by Forum team}

As a criminal offence, can I ask that we don't discuss evasion methodologies, please.

If you are keen to protect your rights as an innocent person trying to comply with the law and the whims of TV Licensing, we can discuss that, although it has already been considered a lot on this forum.

onomatopoeia99

renegadefm wrote: »

But how do they police it?

They obviously can't. Just because you can break the law without a direct consequence to yourself doesn't mean you should.

oldernonethewiser

amywoodmead wrote: »

The rules are fairly clear, you do need a license. Although if the Tories have their way they will potentially decriminalise it causing a big budget short fall for the BBC

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ291

I believe it is possible to avoid buying one if you never watch live TV as broadcast. But most of us do, so we need a license.

Correct. Also should you use the Iplayer for catch up programmes you require a licence.

Owain_Moneysaver

amywoodmead wrote: »

The rules are fairly clear, you do need a license. Although if the Tories have their way they will potentially decriminalise it causing a big budget short fall for the BBC

Decriminalising it will also reduce the burden of proof to that of a civil matter, ie on the balance of probability, potentially making enforcement much easier.

We all know how well civil parking "fines" work.

oldernonethewiser

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I'm afraid you're feeding a troll.

Who gets upset when accused of trolling :cool:

stingey

My understanding is that you need a tv licence regardless of device or screen your watching it on. We Chromecast everything to our tv, but we have apps on our tablets to do this. This includes all Freeview channels as well as Netflix. I still watch live and catch up tv, the only difference is instead of an aerial we use broadband. I'm still using the services. I need to pay a licence.

They'll know if you or the property you live in has previously had a licence and didn't get a new one, so expect a knock at your door. There will be a small number of people in the UK who don't have a tv, but it'll be highly unlikely that people don't have a tablet, a laptops, a desktop, or a smartphone and they're not watching some type of tv programming.

It's a criminal offence. Is it worth messing up possible future job prospects for the sake of not getting a licence?

pickledonionspaceraider

Paying for a TV Licence is an absolute mickey take

At some point BBC is going to have to rethink it's outdated demands for money for rubbish programming.


You are breaking the law If you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

I do not understand how the BBC have got away with it so long to be honest, pfft - even Richard Turpin wore a mask....these people have been doing people over for decades

Even worse that you don't get a free TV licence until you are over 75. I mean people have retired long since, by then, and even the government give a free bus pass fgs. The BBC are like the gestapo. But with rubbish content

oldernonethewiser

stingey wrote: »

My understanding is that you need a tv licence regardless of device or screen your watching it on. We Chromecast everything to our tv, but we have apps on our tablets to do this. This includes all Freeview channels as well as Netflix. I still watch live and catch up tv, the only difference is instead of an aerial we use broadband. I'm still using the services. I need to pay a licence.

They'll know if you or the property you live in has previously had a licence and didn't get a new one, so expect a knock at your door. There will be a small number of people in the UK who don't have a tv, but it'll be highly unlikely that people don't have a tablet, a laptops, a desktop, or a smartphone and they're not watching some type of tv programming.

It's a criminal offence. Is it worth messing up possible future job prospects for the sake of not getting a licence?

I am one of that small number