How to tell what's not live tv 14 January 2022 at 11:12AM in TV MoneySaving 6 replies 153 views

Nasher58

Hi, newbie here, was looking through some former chats on TV licence and feel quite confused as to how to tell if it's live or not.

I don't watch BBC channels, or itv, 4 or 5 although may search through my 5, itv for previously shown things. Most other channels I watch on either Freeview, is, Really, Quest, 5usa, 5star, pick, I also have now TV entertainment (for binge watching series's) Netflix (binge viewing/films) and prime (films/binge). My question is , how do I know if it's a live showing.

emmajones1976

You are misunderstanding the definition of "live" here. ALL the channels you are watching in that list (Really, Quest, 5usa, 5star, Pick) are "live" - i,e they are being broadcast now. It doesnt mean they are being filmed "live" like the news or a sports programme.

If its a Freeview channel, its "live". If you are watching Netflix or Prime then that is catch up, so not live.

flaneurs_lobster

emmajones1976 said:

 If you are watching Netflix or Prime then that is catch up, so not live.

Unless you are watching live sport on Prime...

emmajones1976

flaneurs_lobster said:

emmajones1976 said:

 If you are watching Netflix or Prime then that is catch up, so not live.

Unless you are watching live sport on Prime...

Of course, how forgetful of me.

wongataa

Nasher58 said:

Hi, newbie here, was looking through some former chats on TV licence and feel quite confused as to how to tell if it's live or not.

I don't watch BBC channels, or itv, 4 or 5 although may search through my 5, itv for previously shown things. Most other channels I watch on either Freeview, is, Really, Quest, 5usa, 5star, pick, I also have now TV entertainment (for binge watching series's) Netflix (binge viewing/films) and prime (films/binge). My question is , how do I know if it's a live showing.

Anything you watch on Freeview requires a TV licence.  Live means you watch/record as it is broadcast over the air/via satellite/via cable.

Cornucopia

You need a TV Licence - 

- To watch/record scheduled TV broadcasts received via traditional means (Freeview, Satellite, Cable TV)

- To watch the concurrently streamed version of the above channels via the Internet

- To watch or download BBC TV programs from BBC iPlayer

Everything else doesn't require a Licence, and if you never do any of the above, you don't need to buy one.


So, you can - 

- Watch commercial catch-up programs via any of the catch-up services (ITV Hub, All4, My5 etc.) 

- Watch ex-BBC programs on commercial catch-up e.g. UKTV Player

- Watch free and subscription streaming services (Netflix, Amazon, Youtube, etc.) as long as you are not watching a scheduled broadcast channel (i.e. not Sky News live on Youtube).

- Watch ex-BBC programs as they appear on streaming services.

- Watch any non-broadcast content e.g.  DVDs, CCTV, Videogames.

- Watch live streaming e.g. on Youtube, Twitch IF it is not being streamed by a licensed TV broadcast company.


Live Sport on Amazon is what I'd call "advanced" Licence-free viewing.   If the content is unique to Amazon, then you don't need a Licence to view.   Otherwise you may want to watch later.

JJ_Egan

Some of the Amazon Sports may also be broadcast on BBC  ITV S4 etc ,certainly was for the Autumn Rugby .