TV Licence

[cantaloup63]

Could someone remind me when it is permissable not to have a TV licence (apart from the bleeding obvious )? I'm referring to watching non-live TV on the internet, and indeed whether this would extend to watching recordings made on a digital recorder since, technically, this wouldn't be watching it live.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

No TV Licence is needed if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch programmes on your computer after they have been shown on TV

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check/viewtopiccontent.aspx?id=TOP12&iqdocumentid=TOP12&WT.mc_id=r001

 

[cantaloup63]

Thanks prentice - wasn't sure how to word my google search.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

T'was easy!

"when do I not need to have a tv license"

 

[LooPrEvil]

I have just got my new one. £150

 

[cantaloup63]

I have just got my new one. £150

We do it by monthly direct debit.

I ask since we are about to get shot of our sky boxes in order to, er, help our children direct their attention towards books and study and going out and socialising a bit more

Whilst saving about £70 pcm, I was wondering if there was a way of reducing bills a bit further.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

you could sell your coloured TV and buy a black and white one

 

[jarvis2]

, I was wondering if there was a way of reducing bills a bit further.

Cancel your internet access and landline.

Get divorced and don't tell her your new address.

 

[cantaloup63]

such a pity that one can't multi-thank jarvis

 

[Paul_C]

whether this would extend to watching recordings made on a digital recorder since, technically, this wouldn't be watching it live.

Nice try, but the legislation demands a license to receive live broadcasts, whether you are actually watching them at the time or merely recording them for later viewing. There used to be a "get out" for receiving programming which originated from outside the U.K. (generally satellite at that time), but obviously the government regarded that as a loophole which needed to be "fixed," and the regulations were changed accordingly a few years ago.

But in case the TV Licensing website doesn't make it clear, and in fact in some places it rather blurs the actual rules, if you do not receive broadcast TV in any shape or form as it is being transmitted, then no license is required. So you do not require a license to watch "on demand" video streams on the Internet. Nor are you required to have a license merely to have a TV in the house, or to use it to watch only pre-recorded tapes, DVD's etc. (regardless of whether they are commercial releases or recordings that you made off-air yourself at some earlier time).

But if you do go down that path, be ready for the barrage of intimidating letters you'll receive on a regular basis from TVL, full of threats, accusations, and never-ending warnings about the maximum possible fine. There's barely a month goes by that I don't receive a "Threat-O-Gram" from TVL.

 

[Alarm]

Somewhere in the small print also is the fact the device your using must not be capable of receiving a broadcast signal.

 

[Paul_C]

Somewhere in the small print also is the fact the device your using must not be capable of receiving a broadcast signal.

It's not that the device itself must not be capable as such. The regulations state that a license is required to "install or use" the equipment for the reception of broadcasts. So the fact that you have a TV which is capable of such reception, if you were to set it up, isn't enough. If you don't have it connected to any source of broadcast signal (UHF antenna, satellite, cable service, etc.) and it's not tuned in for such reception etc., then no license is required.

 

[cantaloup63]

Thanks for all your replies so far - they have cleared up a lot of grey areas. I could do with MickyMoody contributing since, unless I am mistaken, he has some experience/expertese of these areas too

 

[LastMagicBean]

Whilst saving about £70 pcm, I was wondering if there was a way of reducing bills a bit further.

Sell your bike and you could afford a years subscription to sky, plus keeping the roads a safer place at the same time.

Everyone's a winner.

 

[Mickymoody]

Thanks for all your replies so far - they have cleared up a lot of grey areas. I could do with MickyMoody contributing since, unless I am mistaken, he has some experience/expertese of these areas too

I don't know where you recall this experience from...but my experience is this; I moved into a flat, with a tiny portable TV, and didn't think about the TV license...But I saw a glorious ex B&O TV in the shop, that needed me...so bought it, and thought nothing about giving my address to be delivered to..

A few weeks after watching the amazing picture on this amazing TV, I saw an ad, to register for a TV license...so I rang them up, "Where did you see the to call to register for a TV license", I was asked...

Without thinking, I replied.."Er on the T...."

Next day, a detector van was round to issue me with a fine. And as usual, in my life, corporations mess up. They really are stupid. So I receive TWO TV licenses. Many months of wrangling. It's sorted. Years ago. I don't know if I'll get off the parallel post about British Gas, they are also really stupid. I get an annual post for gas used, and the answer is nil. For the year. I use a gascard. Well I would if they charged me.

I'm talking late 80's here, so unsure if Cantaloup63 is referring to this? Or some other canny experience that I once had? Seems like a LOT of people have had a REALLY boring life?