TV Licence article Discussion

Jaunty_One

Cornucopia wrote: »

If you want catch-up and radio, you are probably better off with something other than a Sky box. The problem is that the box receives and records TV for the red button stuff whenever it is scheduled. You need a licence for that.

You don't need to disprove it, as such, but they will hassle you. They are on commission and some of the TVL field staff have been known to use very underhand methods.

Have a look at Chromecast for catch-up, Netflix, etc. You are better off with an old Freeview box for radio, especially if it can have the TV channels deleted. Just connect the audio output to your hifi or computer speakers.

If you are after a "premium" STB solution, Youview is very capable with catch-up TV (but does not have Netflix). It also has access to iPlayer Radio.

Thanks for your reply Cornucopia. The thing is, these other options will cost me and I've had Freeview in the past. It's good, however it doesn't compare to the vast amount of DAB stations I can access with Sky.

Plus, I can connect my Sky box to the internet and access Netflix-like content with loads of movies, box sets etc. So I basically get everything you've suggested, without paying anything extra for it. I'm not charged for any equipment or installation costs, and there are no subscription costs.

I will take heed to the warning regarding the red button record facility. Maybe I can get it disabled in some way? I also understand that paying for some of these items separately will ultimately be cheaper than a £1000 fine!!

Thanks

sniggings

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

However, cooperating doesn't mean showing them where the TV/TVs is/are.

You are obliged to render reasonable assistance in the examination and testing of any TVs found, but you are not obliged to lift a single finger, to assist them in searching for them.

if watching live TV is the crime what is examination and testing of equipment going to prove?

is the crime watching live TV or having the ability to watch it!

Cornucopia

sniggings wrote: »

if watching live TV is the crime what is examination and testing of equipment going to prove?

is the crime watching live TV or having the ability to watch it!

As usual, the letter of the Law is more complicated than the summary stated by TVL.

The offence is to install and use. There is also a legal precedent called Rudd.

The upshot of it is that if TVL find an installation that has the capability of receiving TV broadcasts, it places the onus on the citizen to prove that it isn't being used for that purpose.

Picasso7

I'm just about to get a Now TV box. Once it is there, I think I shall stop using my Humax DVR, though I may leave it plugged in so that I can watch stuff I have already recorded. I am expecting to use iPlayer and ITV player and not much else. At the end of December, I shall ask for a refund on my TV licence. Can someone help with the following questions please?

If I unplug the aerial, will I be able to use the Now TV box and what's already recorded on the Humax?

If I unplug the aerial, will that prevent the TV accidentally being watched live by any visitors?

How might I end up watching live TV by accident?!

Why should I not confirm my name to any inspectors who may call round?

If I watch TV at a friend's house (who has a licence), is that OK?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for your help with this.

Cornucopia

Picasso7 wrote: »

I'm just about to get a Now TV box. Once it is there, I think I shall stop using my Humax DVR, though I may leave it plugged in so that I can watch stuff I have already recorded. I am expecting to use iPlayer and ITV player and not much else. At the end of December, I shall ask for a refund on my TV licence. Can someone help with the following questions please?

If I unplug the aerial, will I be able to use the Now TV box and what's already recorded on the Humax?

Yes.

If I unplug the aerial, will that prevent the TV accidentally being watched live by any visitors?

Yes. You should probably also de-tune the TV and the Humax box. (ie. perform a scan for channels with no aerial attached).

How might I end up watching live TV by accident?!

IIUC, the Now TV box has various options for Live TV. I believe these can be disabled, but as I don't have Now TV, don't take my word for it.

Why should I not confirm my name to any inspectors who may call round?

In a number of known cases, the "inspector" has fabricated or exaggerated the Statement form in order to justify a prosecution when the householder was innocent, or the case against them was unproven. Denying them your name helps prevent this.

Also, under no circumstances should you sign anything presented to you by an "inspector". The abuse of the signature process has become a TVL cliche.... "sign here to say that I called". :mad:

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for your help with this.

The best advice initially is to ignore TVL. Once you've cancelled your licence and told them why, there is no more that they need to know (and more importantly have a legal right to know). It serves no useful purpose to give them your real name.

Just put the monthly letters that you will probably receive in the bin. Accounts vary as to the number and frequency of visits. Depending on you, your household and the type of property you live in, you may or may not find these annoying.

There are various legal strategies you can use to deter visits, but I would suggest not using them unless you absolutely feel there is no alternative.

Later on, if you find yourself becoming sick of the arrogance of TVL as an organisation, and you want to take things further, there are a variety of things you can do.

There are various resources on the web. Search for "TVL letters" for a site with a list of standard threatening letters. There are two new letters that are not on that site, yet. These give you a 10 day deadline to contact them, and then tell you that you failed to meet their deadline. These letters appear to be a hollow threat (just like all the others). I suspect they are unlawful, and if not, they should be.

Search for "TVL resistance" to get a range of sites concerned with these issues.

Don't follow any advice that links the TVL issue with Freeman on the Land. The position of citizens with respect to TVL is already pretty powerful, and the FMOTL tactics are unnecessary and dangerous.

cw18

Cornucopia wrote: »

Just put the monthly letters that you will probably receive in the bin. Accounts vary as to the number and frequency of visits. Depending on you, your household and the type of property you live in, you may or may not find these annoying.

The end of December will be my 4th anniversary of being without a TV licence. In that time I've received just 3 letters from TVL - two of them after I bought a new TV set asking if I now needed a licence (just reconfirmed on-line that I didn't), and the most recent 2 years after the last TV purchase asking me to reconfirm I still didn't need. I've not had any visits from anyone claiming to be an inspector.

Picasso7

Cornucopia, thank you very much indeed. That's very helpful.

nikitasgold

I rang the Tv licensing people the other day and was told that if I listen to the radio either on TV or my hi-fi I need a TV licesne yet on their website it says you do not need a TV license if you listen to the radio I had a big rant with them about this as it seems very confusing and I am now panicking that I have committed a crime and could get sent to court etc
I do not have a Tv license as I only watch my Blu-rays and dvds (huge collection & I like to watch a TV series in one go no weekly breaks re-schedules for sport etc)
and had been pestered by them to make sure I did not require a license which I am sure I don't but now after the phone call I am very worried and confused
I spoke to someone who said I required a license if I listened to the radio either on my TV or hi-fi I said why does it state something different on their website but they said I still needed one!
I have now stopped listening to the radio altogether until I can find a correct answer to this silly misleading information.
Also none of the letters or paperwork they send does not actually say about not listening to the radio just "if you watch Tv as it is shown (live broadcast)
so I was wondering if someone could clarify which is correct
Thanks

sniggings

nikitasgold wrote: »

I rang the Tv licensing people the other day and was told that if I listen to the radio either on TV or my hi-fi I need a TV licesne yet on their website it says you do not need a TV license if you listen to the radio I had a big rant with them about this as it seems very confusing and I am now panicking that I have committed a crime and could get sent to court etc
I do not have a Tv license as I only watch my Blu-rays and dvds (huge collection & I like to watch a TV series in one go no weekly breaks re-schedules for sport etc)
and had been pestered by them to make sure I did not require a license which I am sure I don't but now after the phone call I am very worried and confused
I spoke to someone who said I required a license if I listened to the radio either on my TV or hi-fi I said why does it state something different on their website but they said I still needed one!
I have now stopped listening to the radio altogether until I can find a correct answer to this silly misleading information.
Also none of the letters or paperwork they send does not actually say about not listening to the radio just "if you watch Tv as it is shown (live broadcast)
so I was wondering if someone could clarify which is correct
Thanks

100% no you do not need one...just make sure when you are listening to the radio, you can not get a picture on a TV channel, sometimes listening to radio on TV means the TV channels will be working too. But even if you could, you still don't need one, if not watching, but it could cause problems if you were to let them check your TV.

The rule is, you have to be watching TV, not just able to watch it BUT if you were to let them in to check your TV, and they saw a picture, when checking the TV, it would then be up to you to prove you were only using the TV for radio, which would be hard to do, so it's always best to not be able to even get a TV signal.

So unless you will be letting them in, then the problem wouldn't even arise.

Cornucopia

You don't need a licence to listen to the Radio. Full stop.

If you have the option, though, avoid using a TV for Radio listening, and if you do use a TV, make sure that all the TV channels are detuned. If you are using a Set-top box to get radio channels, consider running an audio cable from the STB direct to the hifi, without involving the TV at all.

That's not a legal requirement, but makes things more straightforward if you ever have a TV Licence operative examining it. (Not that you would ever let them do that).

It's disappointing that TVL are sometimes incapable of giving basic accurate advice.