Clarification Regarding TV Licence Requirement

anna-oyed

I haven't owned a TV for some years.  I have just ordered a TV in order to watch art tutorials, on a larger, higher quality screen.  I pay a subscription to the artist for the content that is broadcast via the internet.  Live workshops began with us being in lockdown, which we pay for and are broadcast in a 'private' viewing on YouTube.  The artist sends a link for the broadcast for students to join in live.
From some reading I have done on here, it seems a licence is required for viewing live content on YouTube (plus other apps such as NOWTV and AmazonPrime).  As far as I understand a licence is required for any channels that come under OFCOM regulation and BBC.  I do not knowingly break the law by watching any channels i.e. BBC, BBC iplayer, Channel 4, ITV or any of the catch-up's from such channels. Nor do I subscribe to any TV apps or services such as NOWTV.
My question therefore is - Am I breaking the law by watching the live broadcast by the artist via YouTube, if I do not have a TV licence?

unforeseen

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

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel

watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)

download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.

anna-oyed

unforeseen said:

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

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel

watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)

download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.

Thank you.  Yes I understand that basic information.  I don't understand whether the artist broadcasting via YouTube, in a 'private room' is classed as "any channel".  The artist has said that the art workshops are not broadcast on TV but according to some information YouTube is classed as an online TV channel/service and requires a licence? I am somewhat confused.  If I assume I need a TV licence to watch the 'private' streaming of the art class live, then I would also assume that if I watch it once live streaming has ended I do not need a licence?  Also the artist streams the live classes via his own YouTube advertisement containing channel.  Does that make a difference? (I do know the saying !!!!!!-u-me LOL)
There is conflicting information on different sites.  This is from 'Which' but I can't find a date, the indication is that it was written before April 2020 - Do I need a TV licence to watch Netflix? No. You only need a licence for watching or recording content as it's broadcast live on TV. If you’re streaming on-demand movies or TV shows on Netflix, YouTube or Amazon Instant Video (or any other online video service) you don't currently need a licence.  The same goes if you’re just catching up on already broadcast TV programmes on ITV Player, now known as ITV Hub, or other non-BBC services.

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/televisions/article/tv-licence-explained - Which?

anna-oyed

PS  Also I thought only channels coming under OFCOM regulation and BBC required a licence.  How do I find a list of OFCOM regulated channels?
What is the legal definition of a TV programme?  If something is never broadcast on what is the usual understanding i.e. on actual channels such as BBC, Netflix etc. is it a TV programme?  My brain is fried trying to understand the legalities!

Farway

You only need a licence to watch live broadcast UK channels & iPlayer

You tube is not broadcast in the traditional sense, via airwaves & aerials, it is streamed via internet although some content, such as yours, may be live

You do not require a licence but will if you even peek at say live broadcast news from the Tate Gallery for instance

Neil49

All the information you require is here : 

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

Unfortunately it isn't clear as it says that watching a live transmission on YouTube requires a licence but then goes on to talk about transmissions viewed via the Internet that are simultaneous with live to air programmes.

Personally I would say that in your specific circumstances you don't need a licence. 

brewerdave

Mickey666 said:

BTW, the OP should expect to start receiving TVL’s threatening letters soon after buying their new TV because their name and address will be notified to TVL by the retailer.  There is plenty of advice online about how to handle these letter.

Don't think that is true - used to happen but stopped some years ago.

pphillips

anna-oyed said:

PS  Also I thought only channels coming under OFCOM regulation and BBC required a licence.  How do I find a list of OFCOM regulated channels?
What is the legal definition of a TV programme?  If something is never broadcast on what is the usual understanding i.e. on actual channels such as BBC, Netflix etc. is it a TV programme?  My brain is fried trying to understand the legalities!

Here's the list of OFCOM regulated TV stations:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/tv-broadcast-licences/current-licensees
As your art tutorials are not being broadcast by any TV station, you won't need a TV licence 

Cornucopia

You need a Licence to:-

1)  Watch or record scheduled TV programs received via traditional means (satellite, cable TV or terrestrial).

2)  Stream the programmes in (1) above via the internet concurrently with the scheduled transmission.

3)  Watch or download BBC TV programs from BBC iPlayer.

There is no grey area around Youtube "channels" - if they are not also and simultaneously a scheduled broadcast channel, then you do not need a Licence to view them.   Same applies to Twitch and ParliamentLive.TV.

The only grey area is around streaming other countries' scheduled TV programmes (from channels that are not available in the UK) - my understanding is that no Licence is required (because they are not "programme services" within the UK), but TV Licensing says you do need a Licence (though they do not go into the detail of why).  

Cornucopia

brewerdave said:

Mickey666 said:

BTW, the OP should expect to start receiving TVL’s threatening letters soon after buying their new TV because their name and address will be notified to TVL by the retailer.  There is plenty of advice online about how to handle these letter.

Don't think that is true - used to happen but stopped some years ago.

Correct - the Dealer Notification requirement was abolished in 2013.

anna-oyed

Thank you all.  I shall not need to plug an aerial into the TV.  I will only be using it as a monitor for online art tutorials, hopefully from my wi-fi once it's set up.  The wording is confusing, probably deliberately so.  I have been receiving letters for years, they go straight into the bin.  As far as I am aware there is no legal requirement to contact and inform them I don't need a licence and as I am not doing anything illegal they can continue to provide my 'postie' with work.  Answers appreciated.  Regards Anna