TV Licence article Discussion

Cornucopia

buglawton said:

My Romanian tenants only ever watch Romanian TV. After they started getting letters about the TV license they messaged me on what's the score. I explained that if they stream live Romanian TV they'll have to pay the BBC and get a TV license, which they did.

So, if an entrepreneur in Romania were to put a 1 hour delay into all the streams and charge £20/year for that service, could my tenants then legally ditch the TV license?

Yes..........

silverwhistle

Cornucopia said:

buglawton said:

My Romanian tenants only ever watch Romanian TV. After they started getting letters about the TV license they messaged me on what's the score. I explained that if they stream live Romanian TV they'll have to pay the BBC and get a TV license, which they did.

So, if an entrepreneur in Romania were to put a 1 hour delay into all the streams and charge £20/year for that service, could my tenants then legally ditch the TV license?

Yes..........

But as an ex-EFL teacher I'd say watching English language TV is a good way to reinforce and improve their English skills.:-)

Briskly

Hi. Sorry if this has been answered already but would appreciate any help as it is impossible to contact TV licensing. 

I need to cancel my TV licence as I am away from home so much looking after my old Mum during Covid - only home about 10 days a year and can do without TV then. My licence is up for renewal at the start of September. I pay by direct debit so figure I have already paid 6 months in advance. If I fill in the in line forms to cancel and stop my direct debit will I get the 6 month refund? It is not clear if you get this. If not, can I continue to user my TV for 6 months as I have technically paid. Any help appreciated!

cw18

When I cancelled at the end of 2010, that is exactly what happened (although in my case I was only due 3 months back).   The refund was in my bank account very quickly - especially considering I cancelled on New Years Eve putting it right ahead of a Bank Holiday.

Cornucopia

I understand that some people have been having difficulty cancelling TV Licences during lockdown, including finding it difficult to contact the TV Licensing call centre.

I'd suggest following the online cancellation process, keeping evidence of cancellation, and I believe that there is a contact email address that can be used for further confirmation.   Personally, I would cancel the Direct Debit, although I am aware that some people have advised against this.   If no refund is forthcoming, I would periodically try to contact them, with the expectation that the refund can be back-dated to the date of cancellation.

Briskly

Thanks Cheryl. I hope they are as good about it now as they were then. And thanks Cornucopia, I'll try the online cancellation.

Briskly

Have just tried to use the online cancellation and it doesn't seem to be working. Anyone else having problems? The link to cancel doesn't work - seems to just have to apply for a refund,
PS have just applied for the refund and cancelled. It feels wonderful to feel I'm no longer contributing to Gary Linneker's salary!

anna-oyed

para_23 said:

para_23 said:

Things have evolved due to internet and now I believe you can see many English-language live streaming Tv channels from around the world and quite freely if they are not on Ofcom register (in other words they are Non-Ofcom) such as for example Abc Tv (U.s.a.) and Nbc (U.s.a.) whilst you are in the U.k.

YouTube.com is an easy site & has an easy app which also brings to you Non-Ofcom Tv stations' live feeds  where these Tv channel broadcasters themselves are using their YouTube accounts to reach out to English-language understanding audiences.

As long as the live streaming Tv broadcasters you are watching are Not regulated by Ofcom - in other words they are Non-Ofcom and all you watch is live streaming Non-Ofcom Tv channels, then I believe you Do Not have to pay the Bbc Tv licensing (department's aka capita outsourcing company) Tv licence fee.

Here is more evidence -

Ofcom (governing body commission) and Bbc (corporation) have same joint-powers in the enforcement directions under the legislation regarding Tv licensing. Hence Bbc (corporation) powers are limited to the channels Ofcom monitors i.e. the Ofcom-regulated Tv channels and nothing more :

"Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)Part 4 — Licensing of TV reception
366 Powers to enforce TV licensing

.......
(2)A warrant under this section is a warrant authorising any one or more persons authorised for the purpose by the BBC or by OFCOM—(a)to enter  the  premises  or  vehicle  at  any  time  (either  alone  or in  the company of one or more constables); and(b)to search the premises or vehicle and examine and test any television receiver found there.

.......

(5)The powers conferred by a warrant under this section on a person authorised by  OFCOM  are  exercisable  in  relation  only  to  a contravention  or  suspected contravention  of  a  condition  of  a TV  licence  relating  to  interference  with wireless telegraphy.

.......

(6)A person authorised by the BBC, or by OFCOM, to exercise a power conferred by  a  warrant  under  this  section  may  (if  necessary) use  such  force  as  may  be reasonable in the exercise of that power."

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6179150/save-157-50-per-year-in-tv-licensing-fee

Can you advise as to how I find a list of OFCOM regulated channels and work out therefore whether the art channel I watch, broadcast via YouTube when live, requires a TV licence, please?

pphillips

anna-oyed said:

para_23 said:

para_23 said:

Things have evolved due to internet and now I believe you can see many English-language live streaming Tv channels from around the world and quite freely if they are not on Ofcom register (in other words they are Non-Ofcom) such as for example Abc Tv (U.s.a.) and Nbc (U.s.a.) whilst you are in the U.k.

YouTube.com is an easy site & has an easy app which also brings to you Non-Ofcom Tv stations' live feeds  where these Tv channel broadcasters themselves are using their YouTube accounts to reach out to English-language understanding audiences.

As long as the live streaming Tv broadcasters you are watching are Not regulated by Ofcom - in other words they are Non-Ofcom and all you watch is live streaming Non-Ofcom Tv channels, then I believe you Do Not have to pay the Bbc Tv licensing (department's aka capita outsourcing company) Tv licence fee.

Here is more evidence -

Ofcom (governing body commission) and Bbc (corporation) have same joint-powers in the enforcement directions under the legislation regarding Tv licensing. Hence Bbc (corporation) powers are limited to the channels Ofcom monitors i.e. the Ofcom-regulated Tv channels and nothing more :

"Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)Part 4 — Licensing of TV reception
366 Powers to enforce TV licensing

.......
(2)A warrant under this section is a warrant authorising any one or more persons authorised for the purpose by the BBC or by OFCOM—(a)to enter  the  premises  or  vehicle  at  any  time  (either  alone  or in  the company of one or more constables); and(b)to search the premises or vehicle and examine and test any television receiver found there.

.......

(5)The powers conferred by a warrant under this section on a person authorised by  OFCOM  are  exercisable  in  relation  only  to  a contravention  or  suspected contravention  of  a  condition  of  a TV  licence  relating  to  interference  with wireless telegraphy.

.......

(6)A person authorised by the BBC, or by OFCOM, to exercise a power conferred by  a  warrant  under  this  section  may  (if  necessary) use  such  force  as  may  be reasonable in the exercise of that power."

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6179150/save-157-50-per-year-in-tv-licensing-fee

Can you advise as to how I find a list of OFCOM regulated channels and work out therefore whether the art channel I watch, broadcast via YouTube when live, requires a TV licence, please?

Here you'll find a complete list of all OFCOM regulated TV stations:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/tv-broadcast-licences/current-licensees

buglawton

anna-oyed said:

para_23 said:

para_23 said:

Things have evolved due to internet and now I believe you can see many English-language live streaming Tv channels from around the world and quite freely if they are not on Ofcom register (in other words they are Non-Ofcom) such as for example Abc Tv (U.s.a.) and Nbc (U.s.a.) whilst you are in the U.k.

YouTube.com is an easy site & has an easy app which also brings to you Non-Ofcom Tv stations' live feeds  where these Tv channel broadcasters themselves are using their YouTube accounts to reach out to English-language understanding audiences.

As long as the live streaming Tv broadcasters you are watching are Not regulated by Ofcom - in other words they are Non-Ofcom and all you watch is live streaming Non-Ofcom Tv channels, then I believe you Do Not have to pay the Bbc Tv licensing (department's aka capita outsourcing company) Tv licence fee.

Here is more evidence -

Ofcom (governing body commission) and Bbc (corporation) have same joint-powers in the enforcement directions under the legislation regarding Tv licensing. Hence Bbc (corporation) powers are limited to the channels Ofcom monitors i.e. the Ofcom-regulated Tv channels and nothing more :

"Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)Part 4 — Licensing of TV reception
366 Powers to enforce TV licensing

.......
(2)A warrant under this section is a warrant authorising any one or more persons authorised for the purpose by the BBC or by OFCOM—(a)to enter  the  premises  or  vehicle  at  any  time  (either  alone  or in  the company of one or more constables); and(b)to search the premises or vehicle and examine and test any television receiver found there.

.......

(5)The powers conferred by a warrant under this section on a person authorised by  OFCOM  are  exercisable  in  relation  only  to  a contravention  or  suspected contravention  of  a  condition  of  a TV  licence  relating  to  interference  with wireless telegraphy.

.......

(6)A person authorised by the BBC, or by OFCOM, to exercise a power conferred by  a  warrant  under  this  section  may  (if  necessary) use  such  force  as  may  be reasonable in the exercise of that power."

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6179150/save-157-50-per-year-in-tv-licensing-fee

Can you advise as to how I find a list of OFCOM regulated channels and work out therefore whether the art channel I watch, broadcast via YouTube when live, requires a TV licence, please?

Watching any live broadcast by any means, even from abroad, requires a UK TV license. Watching in catch up mode does not. 
In theory that means watching someone live streaming needs a licence. Well they do say that the law is an *** (a donkey).
I'm even wondering now if dialling into the video stream of a corporate event by my employer requires a license. In which case it should be a tax deductible expense.