A random question on TV licencing…

[asterix]

I've been wondering about the iPlayer. It's not live so can you in theory still watch the programs without needing a licence?

If you are o/s the UK you can't receive iplayer.

That's the theory. In practice there are ways..

 

[Bluenite]

You can watch the iplayer recorded programs free, but the live broadcast, you will need a licence.

 

[gbb]

I remember reading years ago ....if you've a TV CAPABLE of recieving a signal, you need a licence. People tried getting away with it years ago by saying they only watched videoes. It wasnt acceptable, you had apparatus capable of recieving a signal, you need a licence, period.

So IF the same rule applies, whether its a live signal or not, catchup, DVD watching, etc...you'd still need a licence. IF the ruling still the same.

I remember it was explained as follows...what people were doing was unplugging the co-ax if they got a visit from the detector vans...'no chief, we dont watch TV, its only for viewing videos, so i dont need a licence'
It got short shrift from the authorities.

That is 25 year old info mind...i dont know whether anything fundamentally changed.

 

[MontyVeda]

if you can demonstrate to their satisfaction that a tv is only used for video and games and not for watching live TV, they're happy. simply unplugging the aerial wont satisfy them (obviously).

 

[col]

Of course you would, you muppet.

The point is that you are receiving the signal in real time. What you are suggesting is no different from recording a live broadcast and watching it the next day, for which you certainly need a licence.
If you have a TV which is physically capable of receiving a signal, no sensible person is going to believe that you never use it for live broadcast; and the legal onus to disprove it is on you.

I have to dissagree, its not your responsibility to prove anything. Also if they come to the door they have no power of entry and cant demand anything. If you genuinely dont watch live broadcast just throw any reminders in the bin.

 

[Doseone]

Poncing Around on Ice,

That's ITV

 

[col]

if you can demonstrate to their satisfaction that a tv is only used for video and games and not for watching live TV, they're happy. simply unplugging the aerial wont satisfy them (obviously).

You dont have to demonstrate anything to them, thats what they play on so they can get access to peoples homes.