TV licence - Netflix

Johsifff

I have cancelled my TV licence as I don't watch live TV, and thought because I do watch Netflix I was ok because of the advice MSE provides. However, I have received yet another letter and checked on the tvl.co.uk website and that says you need a licence to watch Netflix. Is MSE advice wrong, or have I misunderstood it. Can anyone advise please.

oldernonethewiser

"You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Netflix."

From the TVL site and exactly what MSE advises

marcia_

depends on what you are watching on netflix. Streaming services also show live content. If watching that you need a licence. On demand you dont.

Brie

I had a search about on tvl - my don't they make it awkward!

Anyways I did find this….. saying you need a licence if you watch "Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video". But as others have said it's the fact that it's live rather than on demand that's the crucial bit. If like me you're just picking up movies or binging on the entire series of Stranger Things or Everwood then you're fine.

And be aware that you will keep getting letters. You can just ignore them or you can contact them to confirm you don't need a licence. They will continue to pester. If on the incredibly vague chance they send someone to your home to check legally you are under no obligation whatsoever to let them in.

oldernonethewiser

"And be aware that you will keep getting letters."

Been getting them for over 5 years and into the recycling they go.

fatbelly

We have had two visits since we cancelled our licence at the start of the year. Their rep was not particularly pleasant. The best response seems to be 'no thank you' and then close the door or window that you are talking to them through. There is no point in getting into a discussion.

Johsifff

Thanks very much everyone for your help, I have just gone into panic mode I think. In all honesty I didn't realise that Netflix did have live stuff, I just binge on series etc. Anyway great news and thanks again all xx

Cornucopia

A basic thing to be aware of is that BBC/TVL are masters (mistresses?) of confusing communications. That applies to pretty much all info they publish.

The term "Live TV" is something they created to (presumably) try to make things easier for the Public. However, it needs some care because what they mean by it is a TV broadcast from a Broadcaster. In the case of Youtube, that's immediately problematic because there are lots of live streams from ordinary Youtubers, and they do not need a TV licence to view.

BBC/TVL don't give a definitive definition of a Broadcaster, nor a list of them.

Sticking to commercial on-demand is fine, but it's worth bearing in mind that the "Live TV" term has questions attached to it.