Any thoughts around the TV Licencing definition of LIVE TV?

Gobsh

TV Licence vs LIVE TV?

I keep chewing over whether to opt out of the BBC TV Licence and get Netflix instead

In addition to BBC own services, The BBC expects you to pay for a Licence if you watch "LIVE TV"
Trouble is that it suits the BBC not to differentiate between
A/ "Live TV" via Terrestrial TV Aerial Transmitters which the BBC contribute to 
B/ "Live TV" via your internet connection from commercial TV (ITVX, CH4, My5 streaming services) which BBC don't contribute 1 penny towards

Any thoughts around the TV Licencing definition of LIVE TV?

Peter999_2

I don't think they can make it any clearer, see here - Do I need a TV Licence? - TV Licensing ™

It says that if you live stream from ITVX etc. you need a TV licence.

Neil_Jones

Live is live as in "being broadcast right now" or "live from Alexandra Palace" or similar, usually the former.  And this includes viewing content as broadcast or that is "on" iPlayer.  Doesn't matter how you get it live - aerial, iPlayer or carrier pigeon.

Cornucopia

We've discussed this quite a lot recently, because it's become quite topical.

The key to it (IMHO) is the TV channels that are broadcast on Terrestrial, Satellite and Cable TV.   You need a Licence to watch or record those.  

You also need a Licence to watch those same channels via live internet streaming.  

And to watch BBC TV programs on iPlayer.

Everything else is either definitively available to view without a Licence, or is at least a grey area.


Unfortunately, BBC/TV Licensing have adopted this term "Live TV" when they know it's unclear, and they even have to explain that it isn't just live events, but means TV channels.

I should also say that it's the law that requires you to buy a TV Licence if you need one - it isn't the BBC, as such, even if they have quite a pivotal role in interpreting and enforcing the law.

sheslookinhot

Cornucopia said:

We've discussed this quite a lot recently, because it's become quite topical.

The key to it (IMHO) is the TV channels that are broadcast on Terrestrial, Satellite and Cable TV.   You need a Licence to watch or record those.  

You also need a Licence to watch those same channels via live internet streaming.  

And to watch BBC TV programs on iPlayer.

Everything else is either definitively available to view without a Licence, or is at least a grey area.


Unfortunately, BBC/TV Licensing have adopted this term "Live TV" when they know it's unclear, and they even have to explain that it isn't just live events, but means TV channels.

I should also say that it's the law that requires you to buy a TV Licence if you need one - it isn't the BBC, as such, even if they have quite a pivotal role in interpreting and enforcing the law.

Where do they explain that ? 

“Live” , in my opinion, means the event is being shown on a station/platform as it happens. 

km1500

that is not true - even a recording of last week's football game broadcast tonight on BBC TV would be classified as live in the context of TV licence

'live' means as it's being broadcast now.

in any case the content is irrelevant - what you're paying a license for is to receive the broadcast signal (where 'receive' in this context basically means watch or record)

Cornucopia

sheslookinhot said:

Cornucopia said:

We've discussed this quite a lot recently, because it's become quite topical.

The key to it (IMHO) is the TV channels that are broadcast on Terrestrial, Satellite and Cable TV.   You need a Licence to watch or record those.  

You also need a Licence to watch those same channels via live internet streaming.  

And to watch BBC TV programs on iPlayer.

Everything else is either definitively available to view without a Licence, or is at least a grey area.


Unfortunately, BBC/TV Licensing have adopted this term "Live TV" when they know it's unclear, and they even have to explain that it isn't just live events, but means TV channels.

I should also say that it's the law that requires you to buy a TV Licence if you need one - it isn't the BBC, as such, even if they have quite a pivotal role in interpreting and enforcing the law.

Where do they explain that ? 

“Live” , in my opinion, means the event is being shown on a station/platform as it happens. 

It's on the page referenced above...

"What is live TV and when do I need a licence for it?

Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown live on any TV service or streaming service. It’s not just live events like sport, news and music. It covers all programmes on any channel, including soaps, series, documentaries and even movies..."

As I said above, BBC/TVL have unwisely IMHO chosen to focus on this term "Live TV", but they don't seem to be moving away from it.   It's important that people who are wanting to go without a Licence understand what they mean by the term so as to remain within the law.

wild666

TVL try and claim you need a licence for You Tube or Amazon, although you might have to pay for a TV licence to watch some of the content if it's watch on a PC then you could get away without paying for a licence. 
There is plenty of live content available that needs a licence to watch it but people stream it without a licence on their PC as, IMHO, if TVL got a warrant they wouldn't be able to access the PC as it's not solely TV receiving equipment.