Do I Need a TV license?

Gwil34

Hi all, I’m new to this forum and whilst I’m sure this question gets asked a lot, I have quite specific circumstances so I am unsure if I need a TV license. 

I use my Playstation as a media centre which means I watch all my Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sky content this way rather than the traditional Sky box/Smart TV. The Sky app on the PlayStation however does not show any BBC channels. I have paid for my yearly TV license and I only watch the odd show through BBC iPlayer which means that the £157.50 fee represents very poor value for money so I am thinking of deleting the iPlayer app and not renewing my TV license. As I would not be watching any BBC content going forward, would I be breaking any laws by not renewing my tv license and continuing to watch content via the Sky app which does not feature any BBC channels?

wild666

If it's not live as shown content or recording of the program then no licence is required. If you can do without the odd iplayer item then switch to on-demand and you are £157.50 richer.

Gwil34

Thanks, appreciate the response

JJ_Egan

No live content  does not mean you can delete IPlayer but use live Sky , only catchup .

Mickey666

You need a TV licence to receive ANY live tranmissions, regardless of BBC content.  So, for example, if you watch live programming from Sky then you need a TV licence.  If the TV licence was ONLY required for BBC programming then there would be a lot less controversy over the whole thing.

Brewer20

As above really, got thoughts if doing the same, just got to take the leap.
You cannot watch any programme as it's being broadcast from Sky, Virgin NowTV and of course BBC etc or any other broadcaster. You cannot record same to watch later. You cannot use the iPlayer for content whether catch up or live. It of course includes streaming live sport too.
Because there's very little we watch live now apart from me with live football streaming (I can give that up) we might trial it to see how we get on. TV license renews in April and Virgin media have just announced a price rise from February a good time to try and get rid of the license too. We'll keep Prime and NowTV for box sets, films etc.

Mickey666

The crazy thing, of course, is that there is a lot of BBC content on Netflix that can be legally watched without requiring a TV licence!  The whole licencing thing is no longer fit for purpose and gives government a huge problem with how to fund the BBC.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a general 'household tax' introduced to fund the BBC, though I can imagine the controversy it will cause.

Bigphil1474

Presumably BritBox doesn't need a TV license as well, although the player is crap and the content is old.

Cornucopia

Gwil34 said:

Hi all, I’m new to this forum and whilst I’m sure this question gets asked a lot, I have quite specific circumstances so I am unsure if I need a TV license. 

I use my Playstation as a media centre which means I watch all my Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sky content this way rather than the traditional Sky box/Smart TV. The Sky app on the PlayStation however does not show any BBC channels. I have paid for my yearly TV license and I only watch the odd show through BBC iPlayer which means that the £157.50 fee represents very poor value for money so I am thinking of deleting the iPlayer app and not renewing my TV license. As I would not be watching any BBC content going forward, would I be breaking any laws by not renewing my tv license and continuing to watch content via the Sky app which does not feature any BBC channels?

Linking the TV Licence to BBC channels is a common misconception.   As already noted, you need a Licence to watch/record ANY scheduled TV channels.    That would include, say, Sky Atlantic on your Sky app.

There is a thorough official MSE article here:   https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/tv-licence/

Marvel1

Remember it's not just not watching anything on BBC, it's also watching or recording live TV as it's shown.

Mine renews next week and doing the same, I will renew end of July for the Olympics then cancel and refund (once it's over).

finchman

Dont bother to renew tell the goon if you ever get a visit  the implied right of access has been withdrawn from the bbcs agents and employees say nothing else and close the door 

If you live long enough you will get old