TV Licence article Discussion

cw18

You used to need a licence to listen to the radio, but they dropped the requirement years ago (Google returns this info that this happened on 1st Feb 1971). I don't have a TV licence (almost 4 years now), and when they get in touch to confirm I still don't need one (when I buy a new TV for watching DVDs or using streaming services or after 2 years) they never ask about radio use.

I refer to FAQ 102 on their own site - here

Babbawah

Cornucopia wrote: »

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.

I've snipped some good advice but feel that this bit is important.

You can have a lot of fun with a TV licensing 'Goon' but if they show up with Police in attendance & holding a search warrant . . . DO NOT . . . refuse them entry.

The FMOTL brigade can get you into trouble, but they soon dissappear when it comes time to get you out of it.

William_Churchward

I have read the notes on live TV viewing by computer but what exactly is 'live'? I ask the question because the 'live' streaming function on BBC iPlayer is not necessarily 'live'. It offers the last two hours broadcasting, so one can use it to watch from the start a programme that has already started i.e. from an earlier point than the truly live broadcast that TV viewers will be watching.

If I wanted to watch, say, the 6pm national news on BBC1 and went on to the iPlayer live stream at 6:31, would I be deemed to be watching it live simply because I am using the live streaming function, even though the live broadcast has finished? And what if I watch it from the start at 6:10 i.e. with a 10-minute delay? Is that live? If so, shouldn't the advice say "Don't watch the iPlayer live stream without a licence"?

I look forward to your answer.

cw18

I wouldn't (personally) risk starting a show while it was still showing on TV. But once the show has finished I'd have thought it safe to do so. There again, I don't use iPlayer, so don't really understand the reference to 'iPlayer Live' - I thought iPlayer was just 'old' shows available for viewing for a limited period?

Cornucopia

TVL talk about leaving a 2 hour window before watching a programme without a licence.

I wasn't aware that there was a 2 hour window on iPlayer live, so perhaps the two things are connected.

It's worth saying that IMHO the definition in the law is not about timing, but about technologies (the use of time in the definition is merely a short-cut). So even if TVL did try for a prosecution if you admitted watching a programme 10 minutes after its live transmission, I'm not sure it would stand up in Court.

And then there's the issue of repeats (so you have access to the Catch-up version of a programme at the same time as its repeat is being transmitted "live").

sergejs

Hello.. i'm russian and living in uk 5 years.. i'm not watching uk chanels at all.. i bought few years ago device with russian tv which is working with broadband.. do i need to pay for tv license if i using this device.. there is no english chanels at all and there are lots of chanels which are not live.. about one hour behind.. thanks for help

[Deleted User]

Babbawah wrote: »

I've snipped some good advice but feel that this bit is important.

You can have a lot of fun with a TV licensing 'Goon' but if they show up with Police in attendance & holding a search warrant . . . DO NOT . . . refuse them entry.

The FMOTL brigade can get you into trouble, but they soon dissappear when it comes time to get you out of it.

What if you pretend you're not in? Then it gives you time to unplug that aerial before they return. Or will they just force entry if they have the police in toe?

I never answer the door unless it's expected. Even then it can still be risky, answered the door to a council PCN bailiff years ago as I was expecting a loft insulation surveyor at the same time.

cw18

sergejs wrote: »

Hello.. i'm russian and living in uk 5 years.. i'm not watching uk chanels at all.. i bought few years ago device with russian tv which is working with broadband.. do i need to pay for tv license if i using this device.. there is no english chanels at all and there are lots of chanels which are not live.. about one hour behind.. thanks for help

Yes you need a licence - though if you're watching them on a delayed service such as iPlayer (rather than as they're being broadcase in Russia) you may not have to.

From TVL Website

"The requirement to hold a TV Licence and to pay a fee for it is mandated by law under the Communications Act 2003 and Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (as amended). It is an offence to watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on any channel and on any broadcast platform (terrestrial, satellite, cable and the internet) without a valid TV Licence."

sergejs

uote:Originally Posted by!sergejs!Hello.. i'm russian and living in uk 5 years.. i'm not watching uk chanels at all.. i bought few years ago device with russian tv which is working with broadband.. do i need to pay for tv license if i using this device.. there is no english chanels at all and there are lots of chanels which are not live.. about one hour behind.. thanks for helpYes you need a licence - though if you're watching them on a delayed service such as iPlayer (rather than as they're being broadcase in Russia) you may not have to.From TVL Website

Thanks for your answer.. but how to find out defenetly? I need to call them? Or wait till inspector will come?

cw18

If you're watching the shows at the same time they're being shown on TV in Russia you WILL need a licence.

I query the using a delayed service, as I imagine that's a possibility due to time difference. But you need a licence if you're recording them as they're being shown so that you can watch them at a better time for you here in the UK.