TV Licence article Discussion

nick_pike

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

No, it entitles him to see if a live picture is being received.

But if he walks into the room and the TV is off, then a live picture is not being received, and so is within the law.

He's not entitled to see if he can tune in the set, to obtain a live picture.

If the set isn't tuned in, then it's not "installed".

If he tunes it in, then he has broken the law, not you.

OK, but if he turns it on, and it is tuned to receive a picture, I still believe that a license is not required as nobody was watching a live broadcast. I may want to listen to digital radio. The TV would be put into auto search broadcasting stations, which include TV and radio, even though I would only want radio.

Cornucopia

nick_pike wrote: »

But if he walks into the room and the TV is off, then a live picture is not being received, and so is within the law.

The vast majority of people are prosecuted on the basis of a confession statement that the TVL operative leads them through. Their typical level of PACE compliance is poor, IMHO.

Once false or exaggerated allegations have been documented by TVL they can be quite hard to defend. In the UK, PACE non-compliance isn't automatically fatal to a case, as it is in some jurisdictions.

OK, but if he turns it on, and it is tuned to receive a picture, I still believe that a license is not required as nobody was watching a live broadcast. I may want to listen to digital radio. The TV would be put into auto search broadcasting stations, which include TV and radio, even though I would only want radio.

Given the way TVL operates, there aren't really any prizes for being smart, only for being careful.

nick_pike

Cornucopia wrote: »

I asked BBC/TVL to tell me the basis on which they would check such usage of a TV and they refused.

Therefore, I always recommend finding another way to listen to the radio.

It does state on TVL site that a TV can be used to listen to radio without a license.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ102
and that would include a TV

Cornucopia

Not sure what your point is. If you're trying to persuade yourself that it is okay to do it, you don't really need to post on here to do that.

If you are after advice on the issue, I have given my advice, which is to find an alternative - and there are plenty of them.

The "rules" of being legally Licence-free are pretty simple:-

- Don't bother communicating with TVL - it's unnecessary and it doesn't help.

- Don't let TVL enter your home or examine your AV equipment unless they have a Warrant (which are very, very rare). It's unnecessary and it doesn't help.

- Do configure your AV equipment so that using it for TV or iPlayer is impossible without reconfiguration. Do not connect an aerial/satellite or cable feed.

- TVL have no rights over phones or computer equipment, so do not allow them access.

- Do not speak with TVL operatives. Shut the door. Do not sign anything. Exercise your Right to Silence and Right to Counsel.

nick_pike

Cornucopia wrote: »

Not sure what your point is. If you're trying to persuade yourself that it is okay to do it, you don't really need to post on here to do that.

I understand your sentiment. I should have explained further.
They have changed the FAQ answer. For the question, Do I Need a License to Listen to the Radio, the answer was (wording not exact)
You need a licence to watch TV using any of these devices, and then they listed hardware devices in brackets which included a TV. They then said you do not need a license to listen to the radio on this equipment, which related to the equipment listed in the brackets.
They now just say (the relevant part) you don't need one for radio. So armed with this previous knowledge, I'm including a TV to listen to the radio.

Cornucopia

Indeed, they struggle to tell the truth.

Whilst it may be legal, listening to radio through the aerial on a Freeview TV is a bad idea. Unfortunately, there is no getting away from that, and on an open forum where people are inclined to latch on to easy answers, I'm not going to be changing my view.

Here's a list of bad ideas connected to TV Licensing...

- Using TV equipment to listen to the radio
- Maintaining Sky or VM service solely to use catch-up.
- Leaving aerial leads in close proximity to TVs.
- Speaking to TVL.
- Not keeping other members of the household properly informed about being legally Licence-free.

Efy001

I work in a post office and lots of my customers are worried now that they will have to get a license because of the new changes. Could someone just confirm to me that even if they watch the I-player and are over 75, they don't have to pay. They are still eligible for a free license.

Cornucopia

Efy001 wrote: »

I work in a post office and lots of my customers are worried now that they will have to get a license because of the new changes. Could someone just confirm to me that even if they watch the I-player and are over 75, they don't have to pay. They are still eligible for a free license.

All over-75s qualify for a free Licence, and the Licence covers iPlayer.

JimmyTheWig

nick_pike wrote: »

They now just say (the relevant part) you don't need one for radio. So armed with this previous knowledge, I'm including a TV to listen to the radio.

You are right that you don't need a licence to listen to the radio through your TV. But would a court believe you that you had such a setup and never received a TV picture from the plugged in aerial?

It would be like being seen hanging around a bank wearing a balaclava, moments before the bank was raided. It may well be that you were doing nothing wrong, but you're likely to end up with at least a lot of hassle for it.

dunxmac

A TV licence appears to licence an address, and those who live there, visit etc. In the new mobile world, the connection between people and addresses is stretched. My son can watch TV on his phone while at Uni on the basis of my home address licence. Does that mean I can do the same on the basis of my father's licence, linked to his address? Or is there a 'usual residence' or 'nominated primary residence' requirement? And if a visitor can watch TV next door, then they are covered by that licence. If they watch iPlayer on their phone, step out into the street still watching, and walk in through their own front door, at what point are they no longer covered, if geography is not what counts? If the tennis club next door has a licence, how far can I stray from the building watching live Tv on my phone? I think I know the answers, but would they hold up in a court of law?