TV License Question

[Miguel Alvarez]

Random thought after a conversation at work. Do you need a tv license if you're not watching BBC channels? I've always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly, that one is not required if you're not watching/can't receive BBC channels.

[wolf1]

Miguel Alvarez said:

Random thought after a conversation at work. Do you need a tv license if you're not watching BBC channels? I've always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly, that one is not required if you're not watching/can't receive BBC channels.

Yes

[Tom_C76]

You need a license if you have equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts. Whether you choose to use it is irrelevant.

[Cock Womble 7]

It's "licence" by the way.

[anonymous-user]

Cock Womble 7 said:

It's "licence" by the way.

Indeed, and yes, as has been said already, if you can recive a tv signal, then you need a licence

[tank slapper]

Tom_C76 said:

You need a license if you have equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts. Whether you choose to use it is irrelevant.

Here we go again. That is not correct. Every time this subject comes up, someone posts the same false information.

You need a licence to receive TV programmes as they are broadcast, be that through a TV set, set top box or computer via the internet.

You don't need a licence to own equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Cock Womble 7 said:

It's "licence" by the way.

Correct. Not sure where the poor spelling came from.

Back to the question/answers. Cheers.

[Famous Graham]

tank slapper said:

Tom_C76 said:

You need a license if you have equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts. Whether you choose to use it is irrelevant.

Here we go again. That is not correct. Every time this subject comes up, someone posts the same false information.

You need a licence to receive TV programmes as they are broadcast, be that through a TV set, set top box or computer via the internet.

You don't need a licence to own equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts.

Well, replace "receive" with "watch" and that's bang on (although I think that was your gist anyway). Whether it's BBC or not is irrelevant (as I suspect the OP was alluding to the fact that the licence only benefits them).

[tank slapper]

Famous Graham said:

Well, replace "receive" with "watch" and that's bang on (although I think that was your gist anyway).

No, I meant receive, because you also need a licence if you receive broadcasts and record them.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Famous Graham said:

tank slapper said:

Tom_C76 said:

You need a license if you have equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts. Whether you choose to use it is irrelevant.

Here we go again. That is not correct. Every time this subject comes up, someone posts the same false information.

You need a licence to receive TV programmes as they are broadcast, be that through a TV set, set top box or computer via the internet.

You don't need a licence to own equipment capable of receiving TV broadcasts.

Well, replace "receive" with "watch" and that's bang on (although I think that was your gist anyway). Whether it's BBC or not is irrelevant (as I suspect the OP was alluding to the fact that the licence only benefits them) .

I was. I've always been under the impression, clearly wrongly, that the licence is only there for watching/listening to the BBC. I'm sure I've heard similar from various other sources over the years hence me questioning it so late on in life.

[ewenm]

You could look at the TV Licencing website...

[Cock Womble 7]

I recently bought a 19" TV (with built-in DVD player) to watch in the cab when I was trucking away from home, from Comet in Warrington.

I had to give my postcode, so I did.

As I live in a block of flats, my postcode must have flagged up "N XXXX Street" and not "Flat N, N XXXX Street".

Consequently, I received a snotty letter from the TV licensing people saying "We have no record of a TV licence for your address."

Yes you do. Look a bit closer; check my surname and the details for the individual flats, you mongs.

[Famous Graham]

tank slapper said:

Famous Graham said:

Well, replace "receive" with "watch" and that's bang on (although I think that was your gist anyway).

No, I meant receive, because you also need a licence if you receive broadcasts and record them.

Good point, well made.

[_Batty_]

Cock Womble 7 said:

I recently bought a 19" TV (with built-in DVD player) to watch in the cab when I was trucking away from home, from Comet in Warrington.

I had to give my postcode, so I did.

As I live in a block of flats, my postcode must have flagged up "N XXXX Street" and not "Flat N, N XXXX Street".

Consequently, I received a snotty letter from the TV licensing people saying "We have no record of a TV licence for your address."

Yes you do. Look a bit closer; check my surname and the details for the individual flats, you mongs.

Thrilling.
How do River Gypsies get away with it? no fixed address..

[alfa pint]

You're ok with stuff like BBC iplayer, watched over the internet. But any live TV stuff whether it's dish / aerial / digibox, you need a license.

[Mr Will]

Miguel Alvarez said:

Random thought after a conversation at work. Do you need a tv license if you're not watching BBC channels? I've always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly, that one is not required if you're not watching/can't receive BBC channels.

It's a TV licence, not a BBC licence. You need one even if you only ever watch Sky/ITV/etc.

If you don't watch any live TV then you are fine without (even if you use BBC iPlayer).

[Cock Womble 7]

Mr Will said:

If you don't watch any live TV then you are fine without (even if you use BBC iPlayer).

Isn't there a "nearly live" (or similar) clause though?

[Famous Graham]

alfa pint said:

You're ok with stuff like BBC iplayer, watched over the internet.

As long as the iPlayer stuff isn't live either. If it is, then you still need one.

(As Mr Will says, actually)

[Miguel Alvarez]

ewenm said:

You could look at the TV Licencing website...

I did thanks hence me asking here for some clarification.

[PurpleMoonlight]

'live' is a misleading terminology in this respect as it imtimates happening in real time in the real world.

You need a licence if you watch or record programs as they are broadcast.