Do I need TV licence if I only watch Youtube in my Smart TV?

alex132

Do I need TV licence if I only watch Youtube in my Smart TV?
I do not have iplayer BBC account and do not watch BBC channel.
I only use my smart TV for games and YouTube.

Neil49

The answer is No! 

Grumpy_chap

I disagree with Neil.  He may be technically correct, but proving it will be impossible.  Unless you modify the TV so it's incapable of receiving broadcast channels, you need to get a TV licence.

neilmcl

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

It's quite clear from that site that you need a license to watch "live" tv, even on streaming or online services, such as Youtube.

However https://www.gov.uk/tv-licence says different.

onomatopoeia99

neilmcl said:

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

It's quite clear from that site that you need a license to watch "live" tv, even on streaming or online services, such as Youtube.

However https://www.gov.uk/tv-licence says different.

Almost all content on youtube is not live.  You don't need a TV licence to watch old pop music videos on youtube, or "unboxing" videos (why do those even exist?), but if there's a simulcast stream of a broadcast TV channel running on youtube you'll need a TV licence to watch that.

JJ_Egan

I have watched live broadcasts on You Tube .

Neil_Jones

JJ_Egan said:

I have watched live broadcasts on You Tube .

It might be debatable as to whether a "live broadcast" on YouTube counts as a TV programme.

If you're watching, say, the Sky News stream that's obviously a simulcast of the TV channel (by and large), that's a no brainer.

But if you're watching somebody play F1 2020 as a live video stream or just sits there vlogging live, that's not a "programme" as such and it could be argued you don't need a licence if that's the only "live" content you watch.

oldagetraveller1

"Unless you modify the TV so it's incapable of receiving broadcast channels, you need to get a TV licence. "

That is not correct. It might be wise unplugging the aerial from it's wall socket or the downlead from a satellite broadcast receiver but the t.v. doesn't need modifying. Maybe I'm being a bit pedantic but as long as live content or iPlayer are not watched then nothing needs to be done other than save £157.50 poll tax.

JJ_Egan

No i mean actual live streams of for me a Rugby match .Live as in actual kick off time , not a replay and not highlights .

1st Nov  Eng  v Italy ladies six nations from Parma  last one i watched live on you tube .

14th Nov

Kick-off 1415hrs

Live-stream: YouTube, Twitter & AP15s website.

alex132

I already make 1 year payment, can I get refund?

pphillips

alex132 said:

I already make 1 year payment, can I get refund?

Only if you tell them that you don't need a licence.