Do I need a licence?

ladruid

400ixl said:

As soon as you switch on your Sky box you have the ability to watch live TV as that is the mode if fires up in so as I understand it need a TV Licence.

This is not true. You do not need a licence because you have equipment capable of receiving live broadcast TV.

A Sky (or Virgin cable) box can also be used for Catchup, Apps and VoD which can all be used without a TV licence.

The only time you need a TV licence is when you either watch/record TV programmes live or use BBC iPlayer. What equipment you have is immaterial.

Regards
La

elsien

ukscanking said:

jbuchanangb said:

If you can survive without paid services such as Netflix, Amazon, Britbox etc. then use Freeview, pay for the TV Licence and install a Freeview HD Digital TV Recorder. This needs an aerial, and a cable connection to your BB router, for I-player, ITV Hub, and other non-chargeable streaming services.

It seems like the way to go. I don't ever watch or subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime or the rest.
I watch,  ITV, C 4&5, DMAX, HGTV, ITV2, and ITVBe, QUEST,  I will need an aerial and will buy a Freeview recorder. I am sure the TVs have Freeview inbuilt. Pity I can't get a Freeview box without the need for an antenna and just have it via the BB Hub. Anyway aerial aside in the long run it'll be cheaper. Then, I don't need Sky and get out of that yearly battle, and just need to get cheap BB yearly. I appreciate everyone#s help. Thank you

Try freegle or similar for the digital recorder. I got my Sony one from someone getting rid because they now only stream TV. 

ladruid

ukscanking said:

It seems like the way to go. I don't ever watch or subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime or the rest.
I watch,  ITV, C 4&5, DMAX, HGTV, ITV2, and ITVBe, QUEST,  I will need an aerial and will buy a Freeview recorder. I am sure the TVs have Freeview inbuilt. Pity I can't get a Freeview box without the need for an antenna and just have it via the BB Hub. Anyway aerial aside in the long run it'll be cheaper. Then, I don't need Sky and get out of that yearly battle, and just need to get cheap BB yearly. I appreciate everyone#s help. Thank you

Ever thought of getting something like a firestick and using the apps on there to watch your content. Not only is there iPlayer, ITV hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play, not to mention other possibilities, I know there are a lot of other apps, never tested them to see if they work in the UK... Pluto TV, Tubi, Xumo etc.

Might save on an aerial and freeview box.

Regards
La

ukscanking

ladruid said:

ukscanking said:

It seems like the way to go. I don't ever watch or subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime or the rest.
I watch,  ITV, C 4&5, DMAX, HGTV, ITV2, and ITVBe, QUEST,  I will need an aerial and will buy a Freeview recorder. I am sure the TVs have Freeview inbuilt. Pity I can't get a Freeview box without the need for an antenna and just have it via the BB Hub. Anyway aerial aside in the long run it'll be cheaper. Then, I don't need Sky and get out of that yearly battle, and just need to get cheap BB yearly. I appreciate everyone#s help. Thank you

Ever thought of getting something like a firestick and using the apps on there to watch your content. Not only is there iPlayer, ITV hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play, not to mention other possibilities, I know there are a lot of other apps, never tested them to see if they work in the UK... Pluto TV, Tubi, Xumo etc.

Might save on an aerial and freeview box.

Regards
La

I never thought of that. I have an Amazon Firestick, it was bought for me but I have never used it. If I could get all those services on it I could just have the hub without antenna expense. I wonder if anything on the stick does DMAX or HGTV, then I'd be all set. Oh, this is so helpful, thank you. 

ladruid

ukscanking said:

I never thought of that. I have an Amazon Firestick, it was bought for me but I have never used it. If I could get all those services on it I could just have the hub without antenna expense. I wonder if anything on the stick does DMAX or HGTV, then I'd be all set. Oh, this is so helpful, thank you. 

Looks like its your lucky day, a free Discovery+ account and the app will give you the following :-

Can I watch discovery+ for free?

You can continue watching your favourite discovery+ shows by registering for a free account which will give you access to stream live TV and 30 day catch-up from Quest, Really, Quest Red, HGTV, Food Network & DMAX.  Plus by registering you can save your favourite shows to watch later, receive personalised show recommendations straight to your inbox and continue watching where you left off, even if you’ve changed devices.

Regards
La

ukscanking

Awesome, thanks

ididgetwhereiamtoday

Ditch the tv license altogether if you can live with bbc iPlayer. Just stream the other catch-ups. There’s still plenty of free stuff. 

Cornucopia

ididgetwhereiamtoday said:

Ditch the tv license altogether if you can live with bbc iPlayer. Just stream the other catch-ups. There’s still plenty of free stuff. 

I think you meant "can live without BBC iPlayer"?

shiraz99

ukscanking said:

I need the BB. My son uses it for work and we have Sky for that. I am charged £1 for their basic tv package and the BB, Line Rental, (no calls) and TV is £50pm. I get the TV for next to nothing but with his job he needs a high-speed connection and SKY was the cheapest. I do record the news so will need a license then. Thanks for the info everyone

If your son uses it for work then get him to pay for the service.

ididgetwhereiamtoday

Cornucopia said:

ididgetwhereiamtoday said:

Ditch the tv license altogether if you can live with bbc iPlayer. Just stream the other catch-ups. There’s still plenty of free stuff. 

I think you meant "can live without BBC iPlayer"?

I did yes, thanks.