TV Licence article Discussion

madmuppet5

Lady_Fluff wrote: »

However, a couple of years ago (ish) I watched a theatre awards show broadcast online and was told that because it wasn't being broadcast on TV, I didn't need the license. As that stream isn't technically what's being broadcast on TV... The inages yes, but the audio track is different!

This is the crux of the matter if it's being broadcast live on TV. Doesn't matter if the commentary is in Swahili.

Buzby

sphagnum wrote: »

It used to be the case that if you had any device "capable" of receiving a live broadcast then a licence was required.

Very true - the original Wireless Telegraphy Act was for the 'installation' of equipment capable of receiving (1) radio, then (2) television, and finally split into B&W and colour.

You needed the licence effectively to have/use/own the receiver. Watching or listening was not relevant.

This changed with a new Act of Parliament - the Communcations Act 2000, lots of changes and formed the basis for the current 'advice' - but the main thrust is the interpretation. If you have the equipment, it means you are on the back foot, lack of an aerial is no defence. Te judge then decides whether you are lying or not.

Not having the equipment means this situation cannot arise.

blackfive

jbryce wrote: »

If you watch broadcast TV on a laptop running on battery power, then it is a TV set powered by its own internal batteries. If you plug the laptop into the mains while watching it, then you need a TV licence at the location where you are watching the TV.

Now that poses an interesting question as I believe a laptop always runs off it's batteries and when plugged into the mains all you're doing is recharging the battery. So technically you're still using a device that's running off it's batteries to watch TV even if plugged into the mains power to recharge the batteries.

Cornucopia

busywoman56 wrote: »

Can anyone please answer this Q re TV licence? I have visited the TV licence website and seem a bit more confused, by their answers.
Scenario :-We own a house and have current TV licence, build new house, transfer licence to new address, hubby turns 75, licence fee partly refunded, new licence issued, all good, still own old house, empty, now letting 1 room to young professional working person, soon 2 more to follow,all bedrooms have own door and lock, if I provide TV in communal area (lounge) do I need a licence? which will cover all tv'sin house or do the residents each need their own tv licence?(for each bedroom - which seems a racket tbh) None of these people are related, and we do not live in the 'old' house, although nearby. (incidentally 1st resident has a TV licence which he has altered to our old home address) thanks confused of Peterborough

IIUC, the main liability for the TV licence is with the residents. The communal TV needs a licence to be used for reception, and any individual TVs in rooms behind locked doors with individual tenancy agreements need one each, too.

Beware that there is shared liability for a landlord - which is why most tenancy agreements require that a TV is purchased. I've never heard of a non-resident landlord being prosecuted, though.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ47/
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ50/

Cornucopia

Buzby wrote: »

This changed with a new Act of Parliament - the Communcations Act 2000, lots of changes and formed the basis for the current 'advice' - but the main thrust is the interpretation. If you have the equipment, it means you are on the back foot, lack of an aerial is no defence. Te judge then decides whether you are lying or not.

Not really. The Act is the Communications Act 2003. There is also The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. Between them, these two pieces of legislation define the TV licensing regime as far as the law sees it.

Whilst I would be the first person to point out just how much the BBC has created of its own volition, the essential definitions are absolutely within these pieces of legislation.

... any reference to receiving a television programme service includes a reference to receiving by any means any programme included in that service, where that programme is received at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is received by members of the public by virtue of its being broadcast or distributed as part of that service.

madmuppet5

Cornucopia wrote: »

IIUC, the main liability for the TV licence is with the residents. The communal TV needs a licence to be used for reception, and any individual TVs in rooms behind locked doors with individual tenancy agreements need one each, too.

Beware that there is shared liability for a landlord - which is why most tenancy agreements require that a TV is purchased. I've never heard of a non-resident landlord being prosecuted, though.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ47/
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ50/

Already said that :cool:

[Deleted User]

moonrakerz wrote: »

TVL are not the BBC

Yes they are.

TV_Licensing_Website wrote:

The BBC is a public authority in respect of its television licensing functions and retains overall responsibility.

(emphasis is mine)

TV_Licence_Article wrote:

BUYING A NEW TV? RETAILERS WILL ASK FOR YOUR POSTCODE

If you buy or rent TV receiving equipment, under The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967, the retailer is required by law to ask for your home address. The retailer must then tell TV Licensing of this purchase, within 28 days.

But you are not required to give them the correct details.

(emphasis is mine)

[Deleted User]

MADCAT19 wrote: »

TV is rubbish anyway... I wouldn't miss it at all.

I agree it is rubbish, and I DON'T miss it at all.

cw18

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I agree it is rubbish, and I DON'T miss it at all.

ditto
over 2 years without, and only one show I've had mentioned to me that I'd have liked to have seen. but not enough to be tempted to purchase another licence.

[Deleted User]

bumlooksbig wrote: »

I am beginning to resent the amount of time and money it is costing to have to contact them almost every other week.

You don't HAVE to contact them at all, let alone "almost every other week".

Simply ignore their letters, and likewise, anyone who calls at your home.