No tv license

jackie1861

I no can watch Netflix but can I watch itv catch up demand no tv live wat just wat iv asked and envy other things I can watch without license thanks

Marvqn1

You can watch ITV Hub, All 4 and My5 without a licence. But you need a licence to watch BBC iPlayer even if its only watching programmes on catch up and not watching live.

joeypesci

You can also watch Netflix and Amazon. The BBC licensing site is misleading.

ladruid

You can watch ANYTHING that is not a live broadcast or the BBC iPlayer.

Examples of things you can watch without a TV Licence :-
Netflix
Youtube, odysee, rumble
Amazon Prime
Disney+
Britbox
NOW
Apple TV+
DVD/Bluerays
Non-BBC catch-up services including ITV Player, Channel 4 on-demand, My 5, UKTV Play as long as it’s NOT a live broadcast or +1 channel
You could even use Sky + Virgin subscriptions so long as you are using their catch-up or box set services only

The number one rule, is 'watch nothing that is broadcast live' and you will be OK.

joeypesci

Yes but every year I go to pay my license they lie. They say you need a license even if just watching DVDs/VHS (they clearly haven't updated that page FAQ)



Then in another FAQ they state you don't.


Pointed this out before and they ignored me. Its been that misleading for years. I wonder how many paid for a license that didn't require one due to their misleading info.

Cornucopia

ladruid said:

You could even use Sky + Virgin subscriptions so long as you are using their catch-up or box set services only

It's necessarily to be recommended though.   Firstly those boxes can receive and/or download TV broadcasts even if you are not actively watching TV broadcast channels.    Also, the Powers That Be tend to think that no one would pay for an expensive pay TV subscription without fully using it (especially now there are much cheaper streaming services with similar content).   And one of the few things that TVL look for inside people's homes are recordings on set-top boxes, even historic ones.

I tend to use this definition of when a Licence is required...

You need a Licence to:-

- Watch or record TV channels received via traditional means (Freeview, Satellite and Cable TV)

- Watch those same channels via live internet streaming

- Watch or download BBC TV programs from iPlayer


I agree that the BBC uses extensive misinformation in its communications with the Public about the TV Licence and its enforcement.    Whatever else happens with the Government review, this MUST be sorted out.

ladruid

The text in your first picture is semi-misleading, but partially correct. If you use a DVD or VHS recorder to record live broadcast TV, then you do need a licence. You don't need a licence for just watching DVD/VHS.

I believe TV Licensing use this ambiguity so more people pay for their draconian practices.

Cornucopia

The issue is that hardware is fundamentally irrelevant to whether a TV Licence is required or not.

You need a Licence to receive TV broadcasts on your ...., VHS Recorder, Fridge, or Sundial.  

flaneurs_lobster

It's not misleading, it says you need a license if you watch/record live TV using any device including VHS or DVD recorders. It doesn't say you need a license to just watch (pre-recorded) DVDs or VHSs. 

Cornucopia

flaneurs_lobster said:

It's not misleading, it says you need a license if you watch/record live TV using any device including VHS or DVD recorders. It doesn't say you need a license to just watch (pre-recorded) DVDs or VHSs. 

One of the issues with it is that there is a widespread misconception that a Licence is required to own equipment, so an unnecessary reference to equipment is particularly unhelpful in that context.

From my POV, though, it's far from being the worst misinformation from TV Licensing - particularly since the first paragraph is accurate as it stands.

ladruid

I have to disagree, the first part of the first sentence is the definition of misleading.

'If you watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or'
This does not state a 'live' programme being shown on the TV.... it could be any type of programme, live or not. This makes it sound as you need a licence for watching or recording any TV programme.

A better way of formulating the sentence would possibly be...

'If you watch or record any live broadcast, either shown on a TV or an online TV service you need to be covered by a TV Licence.

TV Licensing has been using PSYOPS for the last 70 years, ever since the first 'TV detector' van was released in 1952, and the ambiguity of the language used is just the modern day equivalent of this. They are well known to use bullyboy tactics to intimidate people with their enforcement officers and threatening letters.

They know the game sup with no more easy rides and I am just glad that at long last the BBC will soon have to finance their own services.