So it begins...

[Chromatic]

I assumed that name was the result of challenging AI to provide the name of the "hardest bastard"

Ronnie Pickering?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I had these for a while when I was living with my ex but went up there once a week for 2 days to go into work

I didn;t really watch much telly so I started just watching videso I got from charity shops
hence didn;t need a license anymore

I got the "dreaded letter" and in those days it had a phone number on it so I rang them
they were very helpful once I told them why I didn;t need one and read out the details to him

He did say that I should take the TV upstairs but I ignored him

never did get a visit -or any more letters after I rang them

From what I can see they have got worse - and it has become easier to live without live TV

personally I cannot see the current concept lasting much longer without big changes

 

[Hover Fly]

They used to put a tear off slip on the letters, suppose that made it too easy.
Even if you do phone or fill in the web form they still send the goon round just to check, so why bother?

 

[Drago]

In the news today the Beeb have lost another 300k lifence payers, so we can expect the goons to ratchet up the misleading guidance and pressure sales tactics.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

In the news today the Beeb have lost another 300k lifence payers, so we can expect the goons to ratchet up the misleading guidance and pressure sales tactics.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2...icence-fee-300000-more-households-stop-paying

This has been an approaching train the the tunnel for quite a while

There should have been an alternative put forward ages ago

personally I like the current system - it ensures (in theory!!) that the BBC is not subject to pressures from commercial interests to feature specific viewpoints
and it also free ( even more in theory) that it is free from political bias

and it kinda works

it also keeps the other major broadcasters honest by being there and being (in theory) the Gold Standard

not sure what other system would replicate this

but what we have is increasingly untenable

 

[Drago]

not sure what other system would replicate this

Channel 4 is state owned and funds itself entirely through advertising and it's commercial activities.

C4 has good quality new output, and good quality often award winning drama.

It does a not dissimilar job to the BBC TV channels, of a similar quality and depth, yet seems to fly under the radar a little in the public consciousness. It shows that it can be done.

Anyway, my apologies for mentioning that aspect of licencing. No intention to lead the thread down a potentially political avenue, and I will go no further.

 

[accountantpete]

The Blackbelt Barrister has a few good youtube vids on Licence Fee collection


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o46BHr19Dw

 

[PaulSB]

I've always had a licence and haven't seen one of these letters before. I'm surprised it refers to "all TV services" and includes the likes of Sky and Amazon. I thought the licence only applied to the BBC and possibly ITV. I have questions:

Does TV services include films or documentaries commissioned by the likes of Netflix, Disney etc? Programming where the subscriber is contributing to the cost via subscription?

People who pay a small fortune to view PL football and other sport are included?

The next remark is not intended to question peoples' honesty. To those who say they don't need a licence do you truly never watch any content that is a TV service? This must be extraordinarily difficult in this day and age? I genuinely wouldn't know how to determine what I can or cannot watch. How does one achieve this?

 

[Drago]

I truly never watch live TV or use the iPlayer.

 

[briantrumpet]

I truly never watch live TV or use the iPlayer.

Ditto. No licence since 1993

 

[PaulSB]

I truly never watch live TV or use the iPlayer.

Ditto. No licence since 1993

I believe you both, I'm not questioning anyone's honesty but trying to understand the position. If I've grasped this correctly one must hold a licence to view, in the UK, any broadcast content be it live, delayed viewing, home recorded, or from a platform such as iPlayer regardless of its source - BBC, Sky, Amazon, Disney etc. Is this correct?

Those who choose not to buy a licence are stating they never view any such content? Never click on a relevant link on a cycling forum; never see a clip from Gaza, Ukraine, never watch the Olympics, the TDF, no national, local or international news?

If I've got this right. Other than the printed word and radio, neither of which are visual photographs aside, how does one become informed? Form an opinion?

In today's world I can't imagine this.

 

[Alex321]

I believe you both, I'm not questioning anyone's honesty but trying to understand the position. If I've grasped this correctly one must hold a licence to view, in the UK, any broadcast content be it live, delayed viewing, home recorded, or from a platform such as iPlayer regardless of its source - BBC, Sky, Amazon, Disney etc. Is this correct?

Not quite.

You need a licence to receive anything at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is broadcast (including you recording it to actually watch later).

You also need a licence to use the BBC on-demand services (i.e. iPlayer or anything the BBC replace it with), but not for any other streaming platforms.

What the actual law says is (where "using a television receiver" is what you need a licence for):
(3)References in this Part to using a television receiver are references to using it for—

(a)receiving all or any part of any television programme, or

(b)receiving all or any part of a programme included in an on-demand programme service which is provided by the BBC,

and that reference to the provision of an on-demand programme service by the BBC is to be read in accordance with section 368R(5) and (6).

 

[Drago]

I believe you both, I'm not questioning anyone's honesty but trying to understand the position. If I've grasped this correctly one must hold a licence to view, in the UK, any broadcast content be it live, delayed viewing, home recorded, or from a platform such as iPlayer regardless of its source - BBC, Sky, Amazon, Disney etc. Is this correct?

Yep, licence for "live" tv from any source, or to use the iplayer. I don't do either.

I have Paramount+, which I could watch 24/7 and not scratch the surface of the series, documentaries or films. Mrs D has Netflix, and she has Prime as a side effect of paying for Prime for her Amazon shopping.

I also watch catch up on itv player (Corrie) and the UandYesterday app.

The TV only goes on when theres something we want to actually sit and watch. We've never been one of those households that whacksnthe tv on when we get home and then leave it chuntering away in the background.

Im a radio man at heart, have Planet Rock on from the moment I arise until the moment I go to bed. I watched a film on Netflix yesterday while doing the ironing and probably won't put it on now until the weekend.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Yep, licence for "live" tv from any source, or to use the iplayer. I don't do either.

I have Paramount+, which I could watch 24/7 and not scratch the surface of the series, documentaries or films. Mrs D has Netflix, and she has Prime as a side effect of paying for Prime for her Amazon shopping.

I also watch catch up on itv player (Corrie) and the UandYesterday app.

The TV only goes on when theres something we want to actually sit and watch. We've never been one of those households that whacksnthe tv on when we get home and then leave it chuntering away in the background.

Im a radio man at heart, have Planet Rock on from the moment I arise until the moment I go to bed. I watched a film on Netflix yesterday while doing the ironing and probably won't put it on now until the weekend.

SO, if it include needing one for live TV
that would presumably include e.g. watching live coverage of Le Tour on GCN?

or live streaming of e.g. Indy car racing from whatever US channel does it??

I also thought you needed it for ITV player ??

I'm confused

which just points out how unworkable the concept is nowadays

 

[Alex321]

SO, if it include needing one for live TV
that would presumably include e.g. watching live coverage of Le Tour on GCN?\

No. They do not broadcast.

or live streaming of e.g. Indy car racing from whatever US channel does it??

If it is broadcast simultaneously, yes.

I also thought you needed it for ITV player ??

Nope. Unless watching the "live" section of ITV player.

For on-demand,iIt is specifically only BBC streaming service.

I'm confused

which just points out how unworkable the concept is nowadays

It is actually perfectly workable, but very difficult to enforce.

And it is tricky for members of the public to work out directly from the legislation just what you need a licence for.