My flat-mate returned permantly to Poland at the begining of the year, and his TV License has now expired.
I do not watch TV, and I do not watch internet streams of TV, or even delayed relays.
Obviously, as I do have a PC and a reasonable BB connection, I could watch TV via the internet if the wish took me. That would be an obvious breaking of the law, which I have no intention of doing. The fact that I shall not may well be beside the point, legally, as the possibility certainly exists. This is the crux of it. The possibility of watching TV on the PC, and actually not doing so? Is the mere possibility sufficient grounds for being forced to buy a TV License?
So the question is do I need to get rid of the Broadband Internet Connection [and revert to dial-up, which is too limited to use for streaming] to avoid the requirement to buy a TV License?
Does anyone know the actual law on this? I have looked up the wording from the TV License Authority, and it seems a model of muddled meaning.
I can get rid of the router in the immediate future [today if necessary], and get the BB suspended as soon as BT will discontinue it [at their magesterial pace in expoditing anything], so as to comply, if I am breaking the law as it stands.
ATB from George
Posted on: 26 April 2011 by TomK
Originally Posted by David Scott:
"It used to be the case that having a working TV in your house required a licence whether you watched it or not"
When? In the early nineties (well before broadband and iPlayer) a mate of mine who never watched tv, had a television and a vhs player because he used to make a lot of vhs recordings of training courses he went on. He checked with the authorities and was told that as long as it wasn't plugged into an aerial when they showed up he'd be fine.
Thinking back it must have been a good few years ago. A friend was done and although he argued he never watched TV he ended up being fined. He completely deserved it as he was lying through his teeth.
Posted on: 27 April 2011 by Rockingdoc
Originally Posted by Madhatter
You need a TV licence only if you watch television (in whatever format) as it is being broadcast. Do not get rid of your broadband; it is not necessary.
Does this mean if I use my Virgin+ Box always set on a 10 second delay, I don't need a licence?
Posted on: 27 April 2011 by Madhatter
"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder."
I would guess your 10 second delay is classified as recording.
Chris
Posted on: 27 April 2011 by Don Atkinson
Rockingdoc,
The following is cut-n-paste from the tv licensing website.
"If you use Sky+, Playstation or any other games console or a digital TV recorder to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This is also the case if you use a DVD/VHS recorder."
I think your Virgin+Box falls under the description "or any other games console or a digital TV recorder to ..........record programmes as they're being shown on TV"
If you "watch" or "record" ........ "as they are being shown on TV" you need a license.
Probably worth renewing your license when its due...........
Not sure what the score is if your "friend" next door does the recording for you then "lends" you the tape imediately after the broadcast is finished.......bit of a bind though!
Cheers
Don
Posted on: 27 April 2011 by Derry
Originally Posted by Rockingdoc:
Originally Posted by Madhatter
You need a TV licence only if you watch television (in whatever format) as it is being broadcast. Do not get rid of your broadband; it is not necessary.
Does this mean if I use my Virgin+ Box always set on a 10 second delay, I don't need a licence?
“You don't need a licence 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”
