TV License

RedIndian55

Hi all.
Need some advice as to wether I can cancel my tv license. I do not watch bbc either via sky, free view or via the iplayer app, however my smart tv has the iplayer app installed but won’t let me delete it. Does that mean that because the app is there and it’s a temptation to be able to watch it that I still need to pay for my license. My brother has said I do but from what I read on Martin Lewis’s website I don’t. I only watch Prime, Netflix and on occasion Itv hub.
Thanks Mark.

Barny1979

I thought with the iplayer app you have to sign in, I do on my smart tv, so if you don't sign in to operate the app, then they know you haven't viewed BBC TV on your tv?

Cornucopia

RedIndian55 said:

Hi all.
Need some advice as to wether I can cancel my tv license. I do not watch bbc either via sky, free view or via the iplayer app, however my smart tv has the iplayer app installed but won’t let me delete it. Does that mean that because the app is there and it’s a temptation to be able to watch it that I still need to pay for my license. My brother has said I do but from what I read on Martin Lewis’s website I don’t. I only watch Prime, Netflix and on occasion Itv hub.
Thanks Mark.

The Licence is required to view scheduled TV broadcasts or to use BBC iPlayer.  

There is some detail behind that, but if you never do those things, then you at least know that you can investigate whether a Licence can be dispensed with.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/tv-licence/

MinuteNoodles

Cornucopia said:

The Licence is required to view scheduled TV broadcasts or to use BBC iPlayer.  

And also online streamed content too. The rules were updated a while ago to include catchup services.

oldagetraveller1

Mickey is correct. All catchup services, except BBC iPlayer, may be watched. e.g. ITV Hub,My5,All4 etc..

A licence is only required to watch live broadcast t.v. and iPlayer. Recorded live t.v. requires a licence and pausing a live broadcast on a p.v.r. is not a get out either. The live programme is being recorded.

I cancelled mine a month ago. Best move ever!

Cornucopia

MinuteNoodles said:

Cornucopia said:

The Licence is required to view scheduled TV broadcasts or to use BBC iPlayer.  

And also online streamed content too. The rules were updated a while ago to include catchup services.

Kind of.   

I didn't give my usual accurate summary of the law, choosing to reference the official MSE guide instead, which goes into the detail.


A Licence is required to:-

- Watch/record TV programmes received via traditional means via Satellite, Cable TV, or Freeview.

- Stream the same programmes via the internet, where the streaming is concurrent with the traditional transmission.

- Download/stream BBC TV programmes using BBC iPlayer (but not S4C or BBC Radio).

There is a grey area around non-UK streaming of scheduled broadcasts.

brewerdave

I recently told someone that they didn't need a TV licence to stream a live dance class via Youtube & Chromecast to their TV. I see on another recent thread that the poster claimed that any live streaming needs a licence including Youtube. What does the team think ???

Neil49

brewerdave said:

I recently told someone that they didn't need a TV licence to stream a live dance class via Youtube & Chromecast to their TV. I see on another recent thread that the poster claimed that any live streaming needs a licence including Youtube. What does the team think ???

I've just responded to that thread and my opinion was that the OP didn't need a licence.

The MSE section on this is quite detailed but having read through it it still left a grey area in that respect. 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/tv-licence/#needtoknow-2

GS..

My friend doesn't pay for a TV licence and doesn't watch live TV or bbc iPlayer, his family only watch streaming tv

pphillips

brewerdave said:

I recently told someone that they didn't need a TV licence to stream a live dance class via Youtube & Chromecast to their TV. I see on another recent thread that the poster claimed that any live streaming needs a licence including Youtube. What does the team think ???

I agree that you don't need a TV licence to watch a live dance class if it's not being broadcast on any TV station.

Cornucopia

brewerdave said:

I recently told someone that they didn't need a TV licence to stream a live dance class via Youtube & Chromecast to their TV. I see on another recent thread that the poster claimed that any live streaming needs a licence including Youtube. What does the team think ???

That they are wrong.

That the BBC needs to listen to all the people (well, mostly me) who have told them that "live" is misleading, and that most people do not have the same understanding of the term as the BBC does.