TV Licence article Discussion

PRAISETHESUN

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988290#Comment_81988290

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988293#Comment_81988293

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988310#Comment_81988310

Depending on the nature of your son's disability, you might qualify for a discounted/free TV licence, but it doesn't remove a need for a licence if you need one. Watching any sort of live TV is the thing that means you need one, not that you only watch Freeview, non-BBC, etc. If you were to subscribe to a stream service and only ever watched that, with no TV, then you wouldn't need a licence.

As for enforcement, I've had a visit from them once before too. Politely explained I did not need a licence and asked them to leave. They have no legal right to enter your home without a warrant, which they are not going to be able to get without evidence. Don't answer their questions as the primary way people get caught out is accidentally admitting that they need one when they don't have one.

Cornucopia

Echoing the above, the TV Licence is required to watch/record TV broadcasts (and BBC content on iPlayer). The BBC's use of the term "Live TV" is really misleading and unhelpful in this context. But Freeview requires a Licence to view.

Without a Licence, you can legally watch any commercial on-demand/catch-up content, as well as any on-demand content from streaming services like Youtube, Netflix, Amazon, etc. On-demand content on ITVX does not require a licence.

Live content on Youtube from ordinary Youtubers does not require a TV Licence to view.

When BBC/TV Licensing say they will visit, what they mean is that they might visit (if the weather, your location and any access limitations are favourable), but you do not have to speak with them, and I would suggest not doing so.

TVL's much publicised £1000 fine is very much a maximum amount, and it can only be set by a Court, not by the BBC themselves. A more typical fine amount is £175, but the actual amount, and payment terms are based on your income.