I asked TV Licensing YOUR Questions...

[@richt71]

I'm fed up getting threatening letters after I told capta I didn't watch live broadcasts just a couple of streaming services and youtube. It's the elderly I worry about as my 70 year old neighbour was rather alarmed after cancelling her tv license (she only watches netflix) and getting letters telling her she could expect a £1000 fine! I find this disgraceful.

[@truthseeker7794]

70 is not old these days my friend. I am 63 and my partner is 70 and we are not elderly by any means. I phoned TV licensing many years ago to tell them that I didn't need a licence. The woman I spoke to was really lovely and said she would send me a letter out confirming that I didn't need a licence. She said that they would write to me after 2 years to ask if my circumstances had changed. They sent me a letter after 2 years, I ticked the appropriate boxes and sent it back and have heard nothing from them for a few years now. I just watch whatever channels I want and no one knows.

[@truthseeker7794]

@@nemesis2264 Yeah let them come. The technology is there to check what I'm watching but the BBC don't waste money on it as they are paying it all out to idiots like Gary Lineker and even more to protect paedophiles.

[@wisteela]

@@nemesis2264 But they don't know who they are 😜👍

[@davecooper3238]

People keep saying some countries outside the U.K. have charges added onto electric, phone, broadband etc. People in the U.K. have a choice. Do you feel that people may complain if that choice is taken away ?

[@DirkGently1972]

@@truthseeker7794 Sadly it’s pricks like you that mean those of us that do still pay a licence fee are now receiving a sub-standard service from many of those broadcasters!

[@doOf3r]

I am legally TV Licence FREE for around 20 Years or more, I have had harassment constantly, a few years ago I started to keep the threatening letters, I now have over 200, including actual 'We called today' slips from when I missed their 'Visits'. I saved them as proof of continual harassment I would love to take action against them but not really sure how to go about it without splurging loads of cash.

[@tonyhawk123]

If there is a fund for you to take them to court I (and suspect many others) would donate.

[@Alanhock75]

Surely any letter send to you that is meant to cause distress, anxiety unnecessary worry must be deemed as illegal.

[@sideshow4417]

Have you told them you don't need a licence? Just ignoring them will lead to them badgering you.

[@doOf3r]

@@sideshow4417 Yes, by telephone and also by letter, the only thing that did was give them my name to send the letters to instead of 'The Legal Occupier'. I have moved several times since and will never fall for that again.

[@darreno9874]

Congratulations on 20+ years

[@djlewis5149]

A better question might be ‘how many 75 year olds might get seriously cold this year having to pay the licence fee?’

[@carolevans5285]

Spot on . Do u think the government owned BBC give a toss ? Tossers

[@tommiller1315]

I ceased buying a TV licence in 2006 and don't miss live TV at all. A massive saving of over £2,000 so far. Another reason for stopping is my protest at ridiculous salaries to presenters, and more recently, the use of offensive language on entertainment programs broadcast at 1830, weekdays on Radio 4. Occasional hotel stays and looking through a TV magazine, allowed me to confirm my view! I only view items on KZbin, or similar free to view internet based content, and I buy DVD videos 10 for £1 from charity shops or occasional sets from online suppliers (DVDs don't get erased). I watch my choice of interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video.

[@rampak1]

The TV license is a relic. When it was originally introduced the BBC was the only TV channel you could watch. There were no other channels at all, so if you owned a TV receiver the only possible use for it was watching the BBC.

[@rogueuniversities6866]

Agreed. And it allows the BBC to continue to put out absolute rubbish and protect child molesters as their income is guarantees. It also means the government of the day can threaten to remove the TV licence - the BBC's funding - to force the BBC to go easy on the government, as has happened recently.

[@Stringtrees]

I love the way that the TV licensing authority ask me to declare that I am not doing something illegal when I tell them I don't need a licence. Makes me wonder whether I ought to tell the police that I won't be robbing any banks or any number of other crimes. And, if they do decide in the future that watching live streams from KZbin creators requires a tv licence, then presumably those creators will get a share of the TV licence revenue.

[@mentalmonkey7882]

I was just thinking this myself as he mentioned it in the video.

[@cliffhulcoopofficial8075]

Don't be ridiculous. When new ITV and Channel 5 channels were added to Freeview they didn't get any money. The BBC and S4C want to keep it for themselves.

[@jchneo26]

@@cliffhulcoopofficial8075 yeh I'm not sure you quite understand, the BBC is a publicly funded channel/service, hence the tv licensing fees, ITV are a commercial network and are funded by mainly by advertising and production/distribution

[@cliffhulcoopofficial8075]

@@jchneo26 My comment was a reply to this comment by @Stringtrees "And, if they do decide in the future that watching live streams from KZbin creators requires a tv licence, then presumably those creators will get a share of the TV licence revenue."

[@Answersonapostcard]

I’ve always thought having to pay money to the bbc if you watch c4 to be completely ridiculous.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

They like to be as vague as possible in order to trip up innocent people by either convincing them to buy an unnecessary licence, or bagging an easy 'conviction' by interpreting the regulations to fit their needs.

[@duncanwalker1347]

No other Private company, Capita would ever be allowed to get away with treating everyone they send their threatening letters to as guilty and leaves it to the homeowner to show and prove they are innocent

[@davecooper3238]

The letters I receive don’t presume I am guilty. They just ask if my property is correctly licensed. Having a licence if it needs one or not if it doesn’t. Simple as that.

[@DavidPirouet]

@@davecooper3238 I just throw them away.

[@a.y.t.a.s.494]

No other company support jimmy either

[@trueriver1950]

Not quite true. Capquest, who now manage the oldest tranche of student debt, are just as persistent. The loan agreement explicitly provides that the borrower does not have to pay anything back except in any party period where their pro-rata earnings are above a given figure. I know of a case where someone gave up their course for mental health reasons and is now being harassed with letters and texts all of which are written to convey the impression that they have to pay, when in fact they don't.

[@srp01983]

@@davecooper3238 Maybe you don’t receive the same letters as everyone else then. I get letters which say ‘you are now under investigation’ on the outside of the envelope. They kick off by saying I could be fined up to £1000, and they give the impression that they are entitled to inspect your home. All these are misrepresentations of the truth, designed to scare and intimidate. Capita are a bunch of thugs, and have been caught out fabricating evidence and spying through peoples windows in order to extract licence fees or obtain a prosecution. You seem to be ok with that. I’m not.

[@fallenxxxdestiny5577]

They won't give you a definitive list because if the public knew then alot of licences would be cancelled as their not needed.

[@rosiecatbandit]

100 percent. They are definitely not giving that away.

[@greenpedal370]

Many many years ago I was being inundated with threatening letters from TV licencing. I wrote them a very nice letter threatening to take their nasty letters to the police citing harassment. I never heard from them again.

[@lindaa9778]

I like this . Good for you to think of doing that .

[@a.y.t.a.s.494]

Keep the letters rolling in, free fuel 😂

[@DaveScotland75]

similar to what I did in 2009 possibly - called them and was told the only way their harassing letters would stop would be to buy a licence or let them search my home. Wrote a letter asking them to write back confirming this so my solicitor could move onto the next stage - got an apologetic letter and peace for 2 years! Moved house - haven't opened letters since

[@truthseeker7794]

@@DaveScotland75 You can still have a TV in your house if you don't have a TV licence. So searching your home wouldn't amount to anything.

[@DaveScotland75]

@@truthseeker7794 legally yes, if not watching anything broadcast live. but some of these sales officers will still do folk just for having the opportunity. Mines is purely for PC, CCTV and DVDs. Infact it's analogue so cant receive signal. I just switch to cctv input on, and if it looks like a goon visit, I dont even get out my seat!😊

[@Treblaine]

They have everything to gain from saying a TV licence is required to watch any live stream on the internet, not that any streamer would be entitled to a single penny of the "Licence Fee". All these people know how to do is how to take and give it to their mates.

[@poeticjustice905]

10:00 (1)A television receiver must not be installed *or* used unless the installation *and* use of the receiver is authorised by a licence under this Part. *Use* is axiomatic here. So we're left with install *and* use. ISTM the legislators weren't looking at the reasons TV equipment was bought - that would be perverse - but the use. Therefore simply installing (but then not using) receiving equipment does not need licensing. Otherwise it's almost a licensing requirement to even possess a TV. The legislators can't have meeant that. What do you think?

[@jeffreyprentis]

Fuck the BBC you dont get a threatening letter of Netflix demanding money

[@JonathanTucker1ls]

I asked the TV Licencing about, watching a live broadcast of the Bournemouth Airshow, they said that during the broadcast time of 10am-10pm, viewing would need a license, however, once the live broadcast had finished, at 10pm watching it as a catch-up was fine.

[@iggysfriend4431]

I legally haven't had a TV licence since January 2021. So far I have received 15 harassment letters threatening dire consequences, fines, imprisonment, etc. I have made a 2 year declaration, but Capita (TV Licencing outsourced) have ignored this from day 1. One thing I have noticed is that the frequency of the letters has steadily increased, to the point that now I get one each month. I am currently awaiting number 16. You have a new subscriber. Update: 1 day later and not to be disappointed, letter 16 has arrived like clockwork. It asks if I will be in on the 27th. It doesn't say which month so they can obviously use it any month without getting it reprinted. It's their usual pathetic scare tactic.

[@tonyhawk123]

Send them a letter informing them that their letters are interpreted as harassment and threatening, and if they continue to send them they do so with the knowledge the recipient feels harassed and threatened, and that this will be taken into account if you need to take legal action. They're savvy enough to know that if they were taken to court for harassment they'd no longer be able to plead it was unintentional or that they weren't aware, and this would be held against them. So they'll likely pack it in and move on to easier targets. There's also boilerplate letters you can find online to state the law to them instructing them to stop.

[@katbryce]

@@tonyhawk123 Your letter should cover the following points: It is up to them to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you are breaking the law. You are not obliged to assist them in gathering this evidence and you do not intend to do so You are revoking their implied right of access to the property Any future communication, other than to respond to the points raised in your letter will be treated as harassment.

[@tonyhawk123]

@@katbryce Yep, also good points. Depending on how barbed you want to get with them. Sometimes people being nice to them gets results, some times being terse gets results. Two very different paths. I suppose it's a fine art.

[@peterw4338]

I was working away from home and my neighbour collected my mail to forward to me. One large envelope was marked " DO NOT IGNORE, Seven day notice of action". At a cost of £6.85 the neighbour forwarded the letter by special delivery. I was so concerned I waited next day for the letter before going into work. Upon opening it it was a TV Licencing letter. I do not have a TV nor have I had one in the UK for 30 years.

[@charlotteb6898]

They try to send envelopes to attract your attention the same old brown envelopes just get ignored and dumped so they try any different way they can think of to get your attention charge them for the cost.

[@diggerpete9334]

Why don't you just have a Royal Mail redirection set up?

[@peterw4338]

@@diggerpete9334 Redirection is only for a change of new address. Not for a hotel or temporary accommodation and not for abroad

[@Manic.miner2077]

I haven’t had a license for 5 years, I informed them on the website and have never had a problem yet.

[@Manic.miner2077]

@@dwayne_dibley fair play, I got sick to death of the stupid letters though and telling them stopped that for me.

[@alisonlewis8455]

Great video and thank you for continuing to keep us entertained and informed

[@MatthewLenton]

There are plenty of KZbinrs who upload BBC programmes shortly after they're aired which allows you to watch them without a license

[@teresaskelton7227]

We desperately need help. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner has taken an oath and verbally said to us that she will help us. Now she has turned her back on the public and is biased in favour of the police. Being bound by an oath, does this not seal a contract with the public? Is she not in serious breach if she fails or refuses to take action against criminal misconduct in the force she is supposed to supervise? It is specified in the PCC role that whoever holds the office has responsibility for the "totality of policing" in the relevant constabulary area. The official oath also lays down a duty of 'impartiality'.

[@hevchip741]

I was once told I needed a licence because I had a smart phone. I will be more than peeved if they put the licence fee onto something else like council tax.

[@johndillinger8424]

Yes, o have educated two presenters on a local radio station about this. It even started with if you own a TV you need a licence them worked it's way up to any Device!

[@wobbler6372]

@@johndillinger8424 France had a policy if you owned a tv you needed a license . they scrape that because people weren't watching anymore and just used computers . they are bolting it on other bills now

[@hevchip741]

@@nemesis2264 yes, they have changed things now but it's all still vague

[@katbryce]

@@nemesis2264 If it is connected to your charger at the time of watching, then you definitely do need a licence. If it is not, and you have a licence at a different address, then it may well be covered by that licence.

[@morlanius]

They wont get back to you because the letter of the law implies that streamers does count and they don't want to drop themselves in it because it would also mean those people would deserve a portion of the funds. I have tried having this discussions with them at several levels and they wont' commit to anything.

[@TheMisphit]

If you don't have to have a licence to watch 'Catch Up' then why does BBC iPlayer ask you if you have a TV licence??

[@andrewc9235]

Iplayer from the BBC requires a tv licence. The other on demand catch up don't.

[@silasgreenback2909]

Thanks BlackBeltBarrister, I was writing a comment to ask whether watching live broadcasts from another country in the UK required a TV licence but you answered that towards the end 🙂

[@rogerbuoy8418]

I told TVL that I'd researched the Telecommunications Act and come to the decision that I will not be buying a licence and if they continue to harass me I'll take legal action. That was 6 years ago, not heard a peep out of them since.

[@stephenmatura1086]

My biggest fear is that they'll scrap the licence and shove the fee onto local taxation, thereyby forcing everyone to pay, regardless.

[@dlevi67]

That is - unfortunately - very likely. Not least because once the increase in taxation has happened, they would be able to move the funds to pay for whatever they like...

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

Again, punishing those who are legal and pay their dues in favour of those who don't pay and most likely, would never pay.

[@Solitude11-11]

@@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming Actually, making no difference to those who require a licence and therefore purchase one…apart from it likely being cheaper than the existing licence…but penalising those who do not legally require a licence, and will continue to not legally require one, but will be forced to pay for one.

[@MikeEves]

I will deduct it from my tax bill. Easy

[@trueriver1950]

@@MikeEves enjoy your stay in prison for contempt of court when they catch up with you... Or more likely enjoy your empty home when the bailiffs seize goods worth far more than the tax you owe... Good luck with that And to anyone willing to be a tax resistor: do it for something more important than avoiding paying for TV Like climate change Like nuclear weapons Like cost of living (eg fuel bills) Like Black Lives Matter Like sexism in the police (the Met alone have over 600 of their own officers currently Unser investigation for in house mysogyny, and that's before they turn a blind eye to public hate crimes) I'd have huge respect for anyone making a protest about any of those things. None over the TV licence thing, even though I personal am against the over zealous way they go about their job. Hey some priorities would help if you are taking on the legal system for reasons of principle

[@janabbott3028]

I don't watch live TV , I told licensing 2 years ago via the website and have just renewed . I get no letters , and have had no visits . They say I 'might' be visited , but I would refer them to the email from licensing confirming no licence is needed which I keep near the front door

[@laceandwhisky]

I did the same 24. Letters two visits they haven't been around since

[@Pugwash.]

We need the on-demand services to make it really obvious what you can and cannot watch. A simple "do you have a licence" option on my All4 account could hide all the live streams, for example.

[@tonyhawk123]

Exactly. I would like that too. It’s very annoying tiptoeing around their apps trying to avoid live broadcast. Sometimes its on delay broadcast so it’s not obvious whether that counts as live or catch-up. It’s also not clear if all that info gets sent to tv licensing. Anyone know?

[@wobbler6372]

its was really clear till the bbc got fed up with that and said you need a tv license for iplayer . itv player streams live streams they never use to so if they offer it . does a license count

[@seraphina985]

This seems like something that the likes of KZbin could do also they are able to geolocate IP addresses and such already. Thus the only thing they would need to do is ask Ofcom regulated broadcasters eg Sky/BBC etc to declare the fact they hold a television broadcast licence in the UK. That way it could largely prevent innocent errors due to not knowing all of the hundreds of licence holders from happening quite easily. Just throw up a screen when you try to access it from a UK IP address stating that viewing this content requires a licence in the United Kingdom and allow the user to self certify if that is acceptable. Might also be a good idea to have a clear indicator of this if you view such a channel in the future from a UK IP address too though. This could be useful for someone like me that could potentially at some point view some licensable content while visiting my Mum in the UK. It would still be useful to have the warning so it was clear what I could not watch while on the train back to Birmingham International for example. There are a lot of cases like this since you can legally watch such content on your phone while it is plugged in at a premises that holds a licence without needing one yourself. Viewing content while mobile is also covered by your licence if you hold one at home so ones licence status can vary depending on their location so it is till wise to make it clear whether a licence is needed for all content requiring one IMO. It is simply too onerous to expect members of the public to simply know this information off the top of their head as there are too many licenced broadcasters, every company with a radio transmission decodable by a television within the UK needs one if reception is possible.

[@mutleyeng]

They dont want it to be clear or easy to know what you can and cant do. Their model depends on people not knowing for sure what they can and cant watch

[@Dekedence]

I would really like all the "hybrid" streaming services - Sky Go and All4 in particular - to give the option of disabling the live section on any given account. Even if it takes calling them up. That way, you could truly prove that you had no means to access live TV.

[@kranser]

If you installed a TV for the purpose of watching live TV 2 years ago, but this year you decide not to watch live TV as you cannot afford the license, surely legally you can't be required to buy a license if you don't need one, can you? What do you need to do, sell your TV and buy a new one for the purpose of catchup only?

[@trevorwilliams432]

Ref Freeview - it may be worth pointing out that 30 Radio stations also broadcast on that platform for which you would not need a TV licence.

[@djmattblack]

The best way to deal with these people is just tell them nothing and do not let them in if they come to your door. Because as soon as you let them in they can find ways to stitch you up as even an internet signal can be used to pick up live TV and if they can prove that then they can claim you able to watch live TV which can get you in trouble. If you dont tell them anything or let them in they cant prove anything unless they are stood looking in your window and youre watching Eastenders!

[@xenorac]

Why the heck would anyone watch Eastenders?

[@tonyhawk123]

Yeah, if you watch Eastenders it's better to let them in. They may be able to help with that issue.

[@dyschromotopia]

Precisely, their goons have no rights.....just don't let them in to your house.

[@tonytasker489]

Basically a live broadcast for licensing purposes is a scheduled programme being shown at the time the broadcaster says it will be shown.

[@ryanrizzajones]

They sent me threatening letters for 3 years, and I don't watch tv. I would have responded but the first letter was threatening in nature and on principle I'm not responding to that. It's basically legal extortion.

[@jakey1995abc]

If viewers here were to be told that they require a license to watch your KZbin live streams, then does that entitle you (the stream broadcaster) to receive a fraction of the money from tv licensing?

[@ukinvasion2012]

No doubt the BBB will delete this comment too, but here is a fact of law, not legal system. For a crime to be a true crime, there has to be four elements. 1) a victim. 2) Mens Rea, 3) Actus Reus, and 4) right of claim. Therefore not paying for a tv licence and watching live tv can NEVER be a criminal offence, only a civil, ie, contract law.

[@CY3ERD0G]

I find it strange that I dont get letters off the DVLA telling me that I need a driving licence, every few weeks or from the aviation people, or the fishing one telling me I need one for the rods in my shed.

[@dlevi67]

Stop giving them ideas!

[@jackahorey2354]

Yes, live broadcast TV, not just actual live TV. If you're watching something as it's broadcast, even on a none-BBC channel, you're technically required to have a TV license. License Wombles cannot enter your house with out permission, however, and they can't tell if you're watching live broadcasts from a magic license mobile they say they have scouring your neighbourhood like Jimmy Savile in an ice-cream van.

[@jacquelineharper5811]

So funny, JS in ice cream van, Lol

[@nonaknight9491]

Nice answers to frequently asked questions on other channels too. Thank you.

[@PhillipParr]

One thing that came to my mind recently is that when a TV Licence is set up by direct debit they give you absolutely no notice that it'd due to be renewed. They do send an email "Relax, you're covered for another 12 months" but it gives you no information on how to terminate, should you no longer require it. The only BBC service I use is iPlayer, and I watch so few things on it I suspect I pay £30 for each TV series I actually view. I keep thinking about just blocking iPlayer in my router and being done with it, but then the licensing service one-ups my by stealthy renewal.

[@davecooper3238]

My wife phoned them up to say she no longer needed a licence. A rebate for the unused months went into her account.

[@ianemery2925]

A few years ago, we started a toy shop, a few months later we got a letter demanding money, as we didnt have TV licence. Since we were a shop - with no TV, we replied, asking if they meant to send this to the flats above us. The reply staggered us; it claimed we needed a licence in case anyone came into the shop watching TV, ON THEIR OWN PHONE. We told them to piss off, and heard nothing further, but how many, more timid, small shop owners, are falling for this crap ?

[@spudhead169]

I have seen this sign (or variations thereof) on a few house gates now. Usually reads like this "PRIVATE PROPERTY. No implied right of access except for Royal Mail and arranged deliveries." Not sure how effective they are. I remember seeing somewhere that a sign is not enough.

[@LupaDomina]

When I was harassed by multiple visits from TV licence reps I stated that unless they were accompanied by two PCSOs they would not be entering my property. When asked why, I replied that I wanted two witnesses knowledgeable of the law, for my protection to recognise that my set up absolutely did not include ANY TV. They then pretended to have a warrant to search my premises. I laughed and said "ok, go fetch the cops to help you with that then!" They buggered off and I have never been hassled since. Also under Common Law I sent their letters back and said I refused them access to my property and any such further communication would be reported as Trespass. No more junk mail through the door either.

[@gogogagetfingers]

Question: If you need a tv licence to watch live streaming KZbin content subscribers such as yourself. Do you get a share of the tv licence fee and if not why not?

[@icdgyixifyinstereo]

The big question is "Why can't they do something useful with their lives?"

[@PuddingSafari]

I like the term 'license fee dodger'. Not only do I not watch TV, I don't enjoy the hobby of angling. Does this make me a rod license fee dodger?

[@whitesapphire5865]

Hmmm, interesting thought... . I have a kitten called Dodger, but that's because he's always pinching things without asking, like the Artful Dodger. Though, he doesn't have a television set, so he can't be a licence dodger...

[@MikeEves]

I'm also a firearm's licence fee dodger....

[@PaulMansfield]

I don't go into London, so am I a congestion charge dodger?

[@whitesapphire5865]

@@PaulMansfield My thoughts exactly. I've never driven to, or in, London, so does that make me a charge dodger?

[@ParanoimiaUK]

I don't have a pilot's licence either, but the CAA don't keep writing to me every two years. 🤷‍♂

[@monkeyboy8424]

No matter what the law states, including any international law, judges/magistrates will always find in favour of the government or a government organisation.

[@waerlogauk]

To clarify the definition of live TV as used in this context I understand this to mean that if the viewer chooses when to watch the product it is not live. If the video product is broadcast at a scheduled time regardless of the action being recorded before broadcast then it is live. Thus the 1 hour delayed product is still broadcast at a scheduled time so is still live. On Demand is the key phrase for this definition.

[@tastytechaddictsmtb]

Yet you apparently need a licence to watch iPlayer even though it’s not live. Or also need a licence to watch something on KZbin that was previously live. E.g you could watch back the live stream of the queens funeral whenever you wanted.

[@RogueWraith909]

@@tastytechaddictsmtb That's because Iplayer is a BBC service. They can charge for its use in that case. I was told there are other such "services" out there which appear to be free to use but actually require a licence to view them. BBC have made such a bloomin mess that I don't watch anything live... even the Le Mans 24 hours on KZbin... I wait a few days and then watch the VOD's when they show up.

[@CorrosiveCitrus]

@@tastytechaddictsmtb They amended the legislation to specifically include bbc iplayer in addition to live tv more recently. You shouldn't need a licence to watch a vod of a livestream on KZbin, as you are not watching it live, nor are you recording it live. However, you would probably need to wait for the live broadcast to finish before watching the vod (maybe even wait a further hour or so), to avoid any doubt.

[@ceciliahayward2239]

What really odd is that ,as a non tv lisence user and payer, i used to listen to radio 4 replays on iplayer. I now cannot do this, even though i do not need a liscence to listen to bbc radio on the radio.

[@carrot1151]

I have worked in retail for more than 20 years and we used to have to fill in a specific form whenever someone bought a TV. It was then sent to the TV licence authority we were supposed to get proof of address so they could track who owned a TV

[@jossweall8888]

That's crazy!

[@stephenlaw9886]

Its true. Just get around it by paying cash,and give a false adress ,or get a family members details who is daft enough to own a licence

[@Hfil66]

If livestream on KZbin is to be defined as a TV broadcast for the purposes of TV licensing, then what about viewing publicly available video from live traffic cameras, would that not also require a TV license to view? Or come to that, what about webinars?

[@Jimbaloidatron]

Or FaceTime and WhatsApp video chats with your family! :-)

[@Hfil66]

@@Jimbaloidatron I deliberately chose live broadcasts that are available to the general public rather than broadcasts to only a private group.

[@freespeechadvocate7492]

Just to add, you don not need a licence for Netflix, Amazon prime video, Disney +, or any other streaming service ( apart from iPlayer ). 90% of the TV that most people in the UK watch is available on demand which requires no licence. I have been licence free for 4 years and I can still watch most of the programmes I want without a licence. Hope this helps and thanks for the video BB PS if you are playing a fair game and do not watch broadcast TV without a licence, just bin the letters from Capita TV licencing as they are generic letters that go to all addresses that are not licenced even if you declare that you do not require one ( which you don't have to do, you can just ignore them, they have no power to enter your property without a warrant and this can only be obtained with evidence that you are breaking the law ) When they knock my door, I politely say no thank you and close the door and they trot off to the next house for their commission. :)

[@badninja1971]

I cancelled years ago, all quiet through coof but now they’re back with a vengeance. The “threatening” letters my postie puts in my box makes it look I’m doing something wrong… Surely defamation of character etc?🤔

[@bigcorky4687]

@@frankbrodie5168 randy housewives??? Tell me more 😄😄

[@badninja1971]

@@frankbrodie5168 😂

[@mrpdofff]

Just 'off-piste' for a moment: if I ever got into anything like serious trouble, The BBB would be my first telephone call. I love this channel.

[@pmason1234]

I cancelled my to licence back in 2016 and I haven’t watched anything live since, I can safely say I haven’t missed the tv, I had a no licence needed declaration at my old house I moved 3 ish months ago and haven’t bothered at my new house, (so far anyway) I’ve had 4 or 5 letters so far telling me that they are investigating me 🤷‍♂️ frankly good luck to them I don’t watch anything live so they can investigate all they want, I’m kind of looking forward to them knocking on my door 🤣🤣

[@MikeEves]

"Investigation" means another letter and nothing else

[@pinballrobbie]

I now live in New Zealand where they scrapped the license because very few people paid it, I miss the chance to have a laugh with the TV goons though, they were most entertaining.

[@jminsh463]

I haven't ever paid for one! I used my parent's as a kid then went to uni where for 1 year someone else in the house had a licence and from then never watched live TV. I really don't feel like I have lost out from it and it must have saved me a small fortune.

[@aclockworkorange6993]

Years without tv tax. Ignored all letters and visits. When goons visits I open doors ask who they are and what they want, and I say not interested have nice day I close doors. That's all you need to do. No reason to speak with them, no need to give them any details, no need to answer any questions. That's all.

[@trevormillar1576]

Unfortunately the energy companies are singing from the same sheet as Crapita; they kept sending me letters demanding to know when would be in to let their engineer install a snart meter; when I told them I didn't want one and asked them to stop sending me letters they replied, "No! We will keep sending you letters until you give in! RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED! WE ARE THE BORG!"

[@pjuk]

I filled in form in 2014 on their website saying I don't need a licence; I only watch Netflix, Prime, KZbin, ITV Hub etc not live TV nor iPlayer. They purposely make it sound confusing on website to scare people into paying. Can't say I've ever been harassed though, they email every 2 years to ask me to confirm I still don't need one. Unnecessary but not a major issue. If you're wondering if to, do it today and save yourself some money!

[@GlennBroadway]

The reason the legislation says ’any live TV’ Is probably a throw back to the days of analogue TV. If your box is capable of receiving ITV then it can also watch BBC (by spinning the tuner slightly to the left).

[@CorrosiveCitrus]

Yeah, it's basically a catch-all that shouldn't be necessary in 2022; but it's not been changed because... money.

[@WillHest]

The more probable reason is because of the BBC/PSB infrastructure in place that ITV and C4 use in order to broadcast their channels.

[@bostonbikebits6539]

I only watch very little tv, The Apprentice was a favourite. Having watched this week's attempt by the BBC to be the world's most woke channel I think I shall be cancelling mine. There's just nothing worth watching on BBC any more.

[@simongore]

Incidentally, As a former TVLicencing employee AND Radio/Electronic enthusiast ( at the time) I visited and asked questions and observed a TVL Detector van in action. At THAT time (mid 90's) most TV's used a 'Tube' or CRT screen. The radio emissions of that screen was detectable over a short range ( 20 meters-ish) therefore a working TV could be pin pointed by driving past slowly and matching the signals detected to live TV programs at that time. The location was provable 'beyond reasonable doubt' by observing the rise and fall of signal strength as you traveled past a house ( windows/drain pipes ect demonstrated signal rise and fall) . The vans were used to observe TV use within premises without licence registration only. Therefore at that time it was a tool that really did work. However not all vans had that equipment on board and in the early days the majority of detector vans where merely sent out to be an overt incentive to all who saw them . Today I would be surprised if that old technology was of any use at all.

[@chrisbamborough222]

I am not techie on this but I have read that modern TVs electronics would not be detectable by these vans. It was a basic system for a basic aTV at the time apparently location detection now dosnt work.

[@JerGoes]

Just had yet another threatening letter yesterday morning from TV Licencing, informing me because I haven't updated them my property WILL be visited, yeah right. Aside from the fact I don't NEED to inform them of anything IF they sent a more reasonable reminder that I may need a TV License I would probably go online and let them know I don't need one, sending threats however just gets my back up and they can f-off

[@edward877]

If you don't require a licence then don't worry about it, just ignore it, remember you don't have to let them in either. I had an empty new build house a couple of years ago and got similar letters sent, I thought come on, come and visit then, don't think they ever did 😂.

[@JerGoes]

@@edward877 I have no intention of engaging them beyond 'not interested, don't need one, goodbye'

[@Solitude11-11]

Exactly…

[@jossweall8888]

I've been getting those letters for about a year, not once has anyone actually come round my house.

[@TheHandsomeman]

Ask them why they are taking advertising revenue, from their channels on freeview, and still taking the tv licence, from the British public. And if they changed it, why have they not attended a court to change it?

[@halley4032]

With regard to 'possibly' requiring a TV Licence to watch a live KZbin channel from an independent content creator: how would this be any different from, say, setting up a family WhatsApp video group, or even a Zoom meeting ? As far as I see it, independent content creators are not broadcast companies, and should be exempt from this TV Licensing nonsense !!

[@kamstube]

true, but remember the more people they con into paying the more money they get!

[@PotatoPirate123]

The nearest you can get to an answer is that the TV licence is only required for instances where the broadcast is being made linearly on a television programme service with the respective editorial consistency and regularity. No one is breaking the law by watching a KZbin stream from a content creator on KZbin, because (as you say) it’s really no different to a weekly Zoom call or a Facebook Live stream. Having said that, the TV Licensing website itself indicates that you *would* need a licence for this (but then they would say that, wouldn’t they). In their case they’re probably talking about things like BBC News Streams, which are broadcast on terrestrial TV, but the vagueness will help sell a few more licences. Realistically no one is going to prosecute anyone for watching Blackbelt Barrister on a live stream, nor would they have the mechanism catch them doing so - because it would surely break GDPR to start arbitrarily spying on people’s internet traffic) and the rules currently in place are so outdated and open to interpretation that they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. TV Licensing can’t just arbitrarily decide what people need a licence for - the law would need updating to make it clear and not open to speculation or interpretation.

[@Jack-fs2im]

I don,t pay the licence and waiting for them to come for me.good vid

[@tony_w839]

The list of TV services would have to include every TV service company in every country in the world, quite a task....

[@Pugwash.]

If they are going to enforce this rule though, it would have to be done, surely?

[@tonyhawk123]

I think the answer we can expect from licensing is there is no list. The answer is probably more to do with how to find out if a given company is a broadcaster and expect us to do the hard work ourselves. The more hurdles they put up the more people will just pay. And that’s their strategy.

[@RS-or8sh]

Can someone clarify for me whether we are legally obliged to inform the licence authority whether we need a licence or not for the property we live at. If you have already done it is there any written law saying you need to update that info every two years

[@jeffreyprentis]

No you dont have to inform them but they will pester you best to inform them that you do not need a licence over the phone

[@dancroft8387]

Hi, thanks for this. I particularly enjoyed your take on the detector vans! You noted quite clearly that having equipment installed for the purposes of watching live TV means that you then must have a licence. In your opinion, if you hypothetically moved into a property which had a satellite dish installed by a previous owner (presumably for the purpose of watching live TV), would you, as the new owner, be obligated to have a licence, even if that dish was not connected to a satellite box/TV capable of decoding satellite signals, or indeed not even possess a television? Thanks.

[@cliffhulcoopofficial8075]

BBB is talking rubbish. It is illegal to actually install it I believe or to install it to try to watch it illegally (i.e. watch live tv without a licence). however, you can cancel your licence anytime if you "change your mind". The fact it was once installed for and legally used to watch live TV is irrelevant. However that does not mean TV licencing won't try to stitch you up, but legally you can have any equipment you like it is the actual watching or instaling itself without a licence that is the problem.

[@thebaldyhippy]

@@cliffhulcoopofficial8075 the capability of your equipment is irrelevant, as in the knives in my kitchen could kill someone, but I'm not going to get arrested for knife crime any time soon. It's what you use it for, *not* what it was installed for, that is a red herring. The age old adage, do not watch or record live TV or watch iPlayer, no licence needed, move along nothing to see here. Close the door in their face, job done.

[@cliffhulcoopofficial8075]

@@thebaldyhippy I didnt originally believe it either but the Communications Act 2003 does mention "installing" by that I assume they mean "tuning it in" not "putting it up on the wall"

[@thebaldyhippy]

@@cliffhulcoopofficial8075 you are partially correct, however, these days you can watch live TV via the internet without an Arial and all the channels deleted, so aerials, dishes, and tuning in, set top boxes, are all irrelevant.. You don't even need a TV to watch live TV, tablets and mobiles and computers can all be used to watch live TV. So back to basics. If you do not watch or record live TV or watch BBC iPlayer, you do not need a TV license. Say "no thanks" and close the door if they knock.

[@cliffhulcoopofficial8075]

@@thebaldyhippy I was astonished myself at the wording in the Communications Act 2003 which does mention "install". I think that means you cannot tune it in, as during the tuning in process it accesses live TV broadcasts and will show live TV broadcast. Therefore if you had never had a TV Licence and confessed to them you had once tuned it in when you bought it, even if you unplugged all aerials etc immediately afterwards you would have broken the law. Also if they saw a tuned in TV and you had never had a licence I can think of only two possible defences: 1: You took it somewhere which did have a TV licence at the time and installed it there. 2: You bought the TV second hand and it had been already tuned in when you got it. I get your other points about mobile phones/tablets/PCs I was pointing out to my surprise "installing" a TV without a licence is officially a crime (however in most cases, I think TV repair staff visiting homes are exempt for example).

[@trueriver1950]

One useful point about this guidance is that even if prosecutors later argued that the guidance was wrong, you'd have two additional chances. Firstly you'd use this as a defence - absence of a guilty mind. That might or might not work, because the prosecution would argue in return that a mistake in law is no excuse and you'd be arguing that it was a mistake in fact (whether XYZ videos was in fact a TV company). No predicting with certainty which way a judge would go on that. Secondly, having argued that and failed, you'd use it as mitigation. In the past judges have given people minimal sentences or absolute discharges when a result is honestly unexpected by the defendants when a previously unclear point of law is clarified. One notable set of cases involved people making multiple applications for new share issues. This was an old established custom in the City of London, but when people tried this on a privatisation issue they were done for fraud; the point being that the rules clearly stated (as always) that multiple applications were not allowed. The jury found the defendants guilty, but the judge gave an amazingly lenient sentence because of the weight of guidance that the defendants could cite saying that this practice has only civil consequences and was not an offence. In sentencing the judge also made it clear that that excuse could never be used again if people submitted multiple applications in future. On reading that judgment and sentencing comments I decided it was time to stop submitting multiple applications myself. Anything anyone says, however learnéd, is only ever guidance till a judge has ruled on it. And even then it's not a binding precedent unless endorsed by a higher court on appeal.

[@AspirationHD]

Great video, but I still can’t believe it's 2022 and the TV licence is still a thing. I think we will be the last country on earth to abolish it. The French got rid of their TV licence fee recently.

[@Solitude11-11]

There’s some countries where it is abolished, also many where it’s integrated into utility bills etc. Which is almost certainly what will happen in the UK eventually, it’ll be part of council tax. Which will be grossly unfair for those who don’t use the service, though I suppose probably on a par with not using police, fire and so on on, but you still pay. Though at least most of those have some potential value, unlike the BBC...

[@MikeEves]

Not a thing in my home.

[@PbThunder]

I'd be curious to know if providers of cable TV such as BT, Virgin and Sky actually provide information to the BBC about customers for the purposes of TV licencing enforcement.

[@TSotP]

I would love to know this as well. We do not watch live TV in this house. However, the package I get from Virgin is cheeper with TV added, than to get just phone and internet. I suspect that other providers do not supply this information to the TV Licence Authority, because we only get the same tired old letters everyone else talks about. If Virgin had snitched on me, I'm sure I would have had someone at my door by now.

[@ColiDog]

I have non paying TV licence friends that watch TV and still don't pay for the license. Its like that the milkman can't check your fridge to see if you're using his milk.

[@johntate5050]

What??????

[@Teapot-Dave]

In my first house I didn't have a TV at all for the first five years, but used to get regular letters "demanding" to know why I didn't have a TV licence. I wrote back and explained why I didn't need one, but the letters didn't stop.

[@ryanfleming6833]

Ok so I installed for the purpose of watching live tv a.d bought a license, next year I decide to stop watching live tv and just watch youtube, on demand etc so dont renew the license. The equipment was installed for the purpose of watching live tv broadcasts however is no longer used for that purpose technically would I still be breaking the law ?

[@Jimbaloidatron]

If you disconnected it all and then re-installed it not for that purpose...

[@ryanfleming6833]

@@Jimbaloidatron it does seem that way doesn't it. Bit stuffed if you live in a rented property with a pre installed aerial, I mean I'd hope common sense would prevail in those circumstances but you never know.

[@poeticjustice905]

I always ask, What did the legislators intend? A licence for purpose (even if not used), or a licence for the prescribed use? If the former, you're licensing possession of a TV. Perverse. If the latter, you're licensing the watching or recording of live broadcasts. If a licence is required to have a TV installed with purpose, then dealing with watching and recording live are moot.

[@lrdisco2005]

One person hand delivered a letter to some BBC executive complaining about all the nasty letters TVL sent him, outcome was he got a visit from two police officers threating him with a harassment charge.

[@easymedia7988]

Wow 😂

[@g--666--g]

being forced to buy a TV licence because your phone is capable of access to broadcasts is to me an abuse of power by the BBC. They seriously need to make BBC on demand and SCRAP the licence fee

[@BRIANREYN1]

You don't need a licence if your phone can access broadcasts, you would only need a tv licence if you actually access broadcasts. This was even explained in the video you have left your comment on.

[@jossweall8888]

@@BRIANREYN1 But they can say you have the ability to access it. They'll take advantage of people that can't or don't know how to defend themselves.

[@BRIANREYN1]

@@jossweall8888 I know the licence goons take advantage of the vulnerable, in many cases the elderly or women on their own with kids or people of limited intelligence which is why it's so vital that all of us need to push for the scrapping of the tv licence , I don't care if it's replaced with ads or subscriptions but if parliament starts pushing for it to be added to council tax or utility bills we'll be in a worse situation than we're in now. MP's don't care in many cases because not enough people are raising this issue with them so more people need to be making clear to MP's that their jobs are at risk if they cave in to bbc demands.

[@jossweall8888]

@@BRIANREYN1 Funny you mention that because I met some guy talking about it being added to council tax or you bills. He said if they were going to do that they'd do it sneakily though, the BBC has mentioned "scrapping" TV licences or something probably to just add it to something else and you'd be none the wiser.

[@BRIANREYN1]

@@jossweall8888 The bbc will have difficulty sneakily adding their fee to bills as it will be visible on the bill but the former director of the bbc was questioned by a parliamentary committee and he suggested that the fee could be added to bills so this is why those who are most strongly opposed to the licence fee are fully aware of this terrible possibility. And many MP's support the bbc so there is a real risk of this happening.

[@stephenjamespayne6131]

When do we take them to court for all their illigal behaviour and shady practices?

[@jarthurs]

We had a 'visit' the other day, my Wife was waiting for a parcel and pounced on the guy thinking he'd carded us without delivering something. It turned out a 'visit' is a timid man who sneaks up to your house and pushes a handwritten card through your door before running away. When my Wife confronted him he just scuttled off to the next 'evader'. Their system only understands licence payers and everyone else is an evader by default. Guilty until proven innocent...

[@davecooper3238]

That is just not true. The TV Licence people are charged with keeping the register of correctly licences properties up to date. If a property does not need a licence they are still required to have it registered correctly.

[@srp01983]

@@davecooper3238 Here you go again with your misinformation nonsense. The ‘tv licence people’ are a private company called Capita. They are not ‘charged’ with doing anything - they are contracted to collect money for the BBC. They have no power, and no right, to collect anything at all, including information. If a property owner decides not to have a tv licence they are under absolutely no obligation to inform anyone at all, anymore than if they don’t require a fishing licence or a pilots licence. If someone from Capita appears on the doorstep, they can simply be told to get off the property and not come back. They have no power of entry, and are not even allowed to look through your windows. Please read up about the law before you start spreading nonsense.

[@davecooper3238]

@@srp01983 Correct they are a private company that the Government have given powers. One of the things that the Government has outsourced is expecting the the licence database is updated. It’s up to Capita to do that. It’s not just Capita that has powers. Motability a private company are even able to claim money directly from benefit payments.

[@srp01983]

@@davecooper3238 Capita may well have been given the job of maintaining a database, but that does not give them any right to demand information from anyone. They may well want to find out your name, address and licence status, but that does not mean you have a duty to inform them. They have as much right to that information as any other private company, which is none at all. And they have as much right to be on your doorstep as any other salesperson - they are allowed up the path to the front door, and they have to leave when told to. No right of entry, no right to inspect any equipment, no right to any information, and no right to return if you withdraw their implied right of access. I’m not sure why you’re behaving like some kind of apologist for this bunch of scammers and conmen, maybe you work for them who knows. But you’re trying to give the impression that they have some sort of power to collect information and enforce laws. They don’t at all.

[@davecooper3238]

@@srp01983 Capita is not just any old private company. They are working on a Government contract. One thing required is to keep a database of the TV licence status of each property. If they don’t know they are expected to keep asking.

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

Shows that they need to seriously update their rules and guidelines. They’ve not taken modern methods of absorbing media into account at all. What about people who have no tv, but who use their smartphone for Facebook and watch a livestream done by a news company? Or a clip from a tv programme? How on earth are they going to ‘police’ that? IMHO

[@fianorian]

Your almost 'throw away' comment about foreign broadcasters answered a question I have worried about for a while. I watch news from a German company and get my entertainment from China. I have not been watching either 'live' (just in case), so I am in the clear for not having a licence. I still boggle at the government's assertion that I should pay the BBC, in order to watch any live Chinese TV, however.

[@wobbler6372]

yep you need one if pulling foreign satellites

[@seraphina985]

Theoretically I think it only covers those holding an ofcom licence but since many broadcasters do have their feeds on things like satellites with line of sight to the UK a lot more than you think actually do have one. Ofcom used to have a list no idea if that still is the case but it had many hundreds of entries back in 2017 when I left the UK. Nobody can humanly be expected to memorise such a list and I think that mandating some technological solution may even be warranted here. Perhaps for example requiring KZbin to mark feeds from broadcasters possessing a UK broadcasting licence with a mini TVL logo if the content is requested via a UK ISP. At least that way it would be plainly clear that a live stream from Algezira for example is covered as they hold a UK broadcasting licence, I feel like people ought to have clear information on what is or is not lawful in this regard as it is unjust for the rules to be so vague. Unfortunately the vague rules benefit the private company capita with the contract to collect the licence money and being able to bamboozle sales out of the legally licence free by exploiting the vagueness is extremely profitable.

[@keithbrown339]

Sorry to another question but If I visit my son who doesn't have a TV license as he never watches TV and watch Live TV on my device using his wifi where do I and he stand. (I have a TV Licence at my home)

[@smeeruk]

If it does turn out that we need a TV license to watch you live streaming - how much of the license fee are they going to send you? A fixed rate or per viewer? :)

[@davidmartin2957]

As far as I was aware the only reason you require a tv licence is because the revenue raised is solely for the BBC and no other tv service. Oh licence evasion in Scotland has risen to 13/15%. So what if I NEVER watch the BBC in any format. Why should I pay. Example if I pay Sky I can watch Sky if I don’t I can’t.

[@thebaldyhippy]

The reason you pay for a licence to watch itv and the revenue goes to the BBC that you don't watch, is... It's an outdated model of licencing that originated back when itv first started broadcasting, they used much and relied on bbc infrastructure to broadcast their signal, and later so did Chanel four, and the model has been stuck in the dark ages ever since.

[@davidmartin2957]

@@thebaldyhippy thanks for the clarification on the historical infrastructure. Must admit I never thought about it.

[@laceandwhisky]

Some of the license money goes to making tapes and brail books for the blind n deaf, usually find them in libraries and some get sent the recordings.

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

OT: I wonder if you could talk about the law as relating to blocking the highway like the current 'Stop Oil' protestors are attempting to do. Forgive me if you have already tackled this subject.

[@markdunkling1604]

Power To The Proletariat has gathered footage for analysis here so it will save BBB searching kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnaQgZRjmpZnmMU

[@BarryCampbell6822]

I was present inside a neighbour's home in 2020 when an "enforcer" from Capita knocked. My neighbour refused to speak to him or let him in (he is not connected to an aerial, has no channels tuned in, and uses his tv set as a monitor for a dvd player). The "enforcer" stood outside, 'phoned the police, and reported that a breach of the peace had occurred. A clueless pc turned up about 10 minutes later, and told my neighbour that the law is, if you have a tv set you have to have a licence; when I attempted politely to correct her and show her the requirements of the Broadcasting Act on my smartphone, she told me to butt out, and warned me that if I attempted to "interfere" again, that she would "lock me up". She then stood watching while the "enforcer" verbally cautioned my neighbour. I again interjected, and he said to the officer, "I think we'll have this one arrested for obstruction", which she immediately did. I was taken to a police station seven miles away, and, immediately upon arrival, I was released by the duty Sergeant. By the time I got home, my neighbour had agreed to purchase a licence he did not need, and 3 weeks later, had to appear in court charged with watching tv while unlicenced, and was fined £200, by a magistrate who ALSO told him that, if you have a tv set, you need a licence, and that anyone who said that they didnt watch telly was "Talking nonsense". This is how little the cops and the magistrates themselves actually know about the Broadcasting Act

[@jayturner3397]

Yes the old law was equipment capable of signal reception, years ago now, but it seems BBC can alter the legislation that governs them in these circumstances hmmmm

[@CaptainParalytic]

So if the equipment was originally installed for the purpose of watching broadcast TV, but after a few years you decided to only now watch catch up and streaming services, you'd still require a license because of the original intention for the installation. Weird.

[@glennpowell3444]

I made a similar comment in a previous video.If your tv CAN pick up live tv but you only watch catch up and you get a warrant to inspect that tv you will be done.You have to detune any channel other than say ITV hub.Its all nonsense and the BBC assuming you are a liar and guilty.Its about time it was abolished in this day and age.

[@mda5003]

@@glennpowell3444 How can you 'be done' if you don't watch or record TV programmes? Whether or not the TV set is tuned in is irrelevant as tuning is automatic - besides how would you detune any particular channel?

[@wobbler6372]

nope disconnect the tv areial and your been fine . unless the box does iplayer and you log in then yes you need one

[@mda5003]

@@wobbler6372 You need the aerial to receive digital radio broadcasts which are legal to listen to on your TV set without a TV licence. Yes, it will also receive TV programmes but as long as you don't watch or record them you don't need a licence.

[@CaptainParalytic]

@@wobbler6372 you are missing the point. The statement was made that it depended on the purpose for which the equipment had been installed, not on its current use.

[@nickywh1t3]

what about iFollow? i watch my football team weekly and pay well over £100 for that courtesy. does sport count? its not a tv company... its a streaming service.

[@Nellsta]

Surely the broadcasts if payed for are a product and if a company forces you to buy their product this would be illegal

[@Garycarlyle]

This is all so morally wrong. They should go subscriber or ad-based. Anybody else has to. The way things work now it essentially encourages the BBC to be the state mouthpiece. Good video however.

[@BedsitBob]

How would they prove, for what purpose you installed it?

[@JB-oo7cv]

If it can receive a signal and you have a antenna 💩

[@BedsitBob]

@@JB-oo7cv What if you're using it to listen to the radio channels?

[@StephenSwindells]

Maybe a silly point but in my view a broadcast uses electromagnetic radiation coming from a mast and received by an aerial. If the digital signal arrives at your tv set through a fibre optic cable in digital format then it is not a “broadcast” Am I wrong?

[@Chayat0freak]

It's more a case that a broadcast is when a signal is sent out, by any means that people can receive without further interaction from the broadcaster. It has been cast, broadly, to everyone. Digital signals can also be received by anyone with the correct equipment. The BBC could not, for example, stop a specific person from watching the BBC1 broadcast but they can stop you from logging into Iplayer On-demand services work differently, there is a request sent by the viewer to access a specific bit of content and then that content is piped directly to the viewer. if you watch a movie on Netflix, even someone on the same local network as you would have trouble being able to also watch that specific stream of data. If you set multiple devices streaming the same movie on Netflix as far as Netflix cares, that's 2 streams. The license fee exists so that the BBC and other broadcasters can extract payment for a service they provide that they physically cannot stop providing to specific users.

[@StephenSwindells]

@@Chayat0freak dictionary definition doesn’t help then. Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves),

[@thebaldyhippy]

Yes you are wrong, just because you are not receiving radio waves, it is still being transmitted, even though you are watching it through the internet.

[@sarahknittyb7616]

I recently cancelled my TV licence as I don't watch anything but KZbin. However, I was told when cancelling my licence that streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ require a license, as does watching live streams on KZbin

[@chrismclean2989]

+1hr makes me smile, it’s “still live”… that’s like saying somebody died 59 minutes ago but still has a heartbeat 🤔🥴 delayed cannot be regarded as “Live” 🧐👍 Always find your videos enlightening, keep up the good work 👍

[@stevetaylor8698]

Much of the BBC's output (eg Dad's Army) was first broadcast many decades ago.

[@laceandwhisky]

What they mean by is that the program is set to be shown at a specific time like coronation street is on at 1800 hrs and plus one is 1900 hrs the times are advertised in TV times and most newspapers. Not so much as being filmed in a studio and going out live to your TV, like the queen's funeral. But even that was advertised to start at a certain time

[@mda5003]

Being broadcast 1 hour later is still a 'live' broadcast. It also makes no difference when the programme was made, an hour ago, last week, last year etc - it is when the programme is being broadcast that makes it 'live'.

[@CorrosiveCitrus]

It's REbroadcasted LIVE an hour later, It's prerecorded, but it's still broadcast to you live, on that particular service/channel.

[@hartpa]

Love your videos. Thank you. Can you do some kind of request to find out how many people have been fined over the years? That would be a very interesting statistic.

[@halley4032]

"License Dodging" ... I know a few people who don't have cars, think I'll report them for not paying Road Tax 🤣🤣

[@stevegee8010]

I don't have a fishing licence either, and I own a fishing rod, but I don't get threatening letters or agents knocking my door accusing me of illegal fishing.

[@ditch3827]

Can you get fined for not having a licence if you never watch live TV/iPlayer but take in a lodger who unknown to you does? What happens if you are the lodger - can you compel the householder to get a TV licence? Can you find out if the house you are staying at has a licence? Does it matter how long you are lodging? Supposing it is just one night?

[@chriscuthbertson]

What if equipment was installed to watch live TV, but then you decide to not use it for that purpose?

[@MikeEves]

You can do what you want. Your equipment is none of the BBC's business, period

[@Slavir_Nabru]

Such a list of TV channels does/did exist though it's not exhaustive, I can't remember how I got to it, it was a pain to track down. I was trying to get an answer from TVLA regarding if the Associated Press KZbin livestream counted as live TV if BBC, CNN, et al. happened to be broadcasting the same AP feed but with their own decals overlaid. I never could get a straight answer.

[@ajcgolf69]

When I moved house I had them sending threatening letters and had the man call out to the house 3 times. I told him we didn’t have a tv or watch live tv. I went on and did the form online to say didn’t require a licence. The third time the man visited I let him in for 30 seconds where he could clearly see there was no tv or tv box and he said that’s okay and that the letters would stop… But they didn’t! When I phoned to complain they said it was because of an admin error where they had recorded my details twice, one with my first name and surname, and another with just my initial of my first name and surname. They said it was now fixed and I’d stop getting letters. Until 3 weeks later when I got a letter saying I had x amount of days to pay my tv licence or I would be summoned to court. I phoned them immediately and said what they were doing was harassment as I’d followed all the procedures properly and they were continuing to threaten me with legal action, and if there was one more letter or visit I intended to take legal action against them for harassment. Never heard from them again after that 😂

[@TheScience69]

cancelled my license years ago. dont even have a dish or antennae on my house to recieve a signal, and i STILL get threatening letters and people knocking my door. every 2 years they expect me to fill in a form and update my detils with them to confirm that i havent bought a tv. last time, i got literally laughed at down the phone when i asked them to stop harrassing me and assuring them that I will get in touch MYSELF if i ever actually buy a way to watch live tv. he essentially said okay, he'llgo through a form with me to update my details and then i'll be left alone. i instantly was like no, ivedone this form many times. youre just trying to get me off the phone and to hand you my data befre you go. he assured me this wasnt the case (I didnt believe him for a second). when the form was done, he literally laughed down the phone at me like he outsmarted me and said "we'll talk to you again in 3 years" now i dont even open the letters. i put them all in an envelope and send them back to tv licensing headquarters. and when they knock my door, its really crazy coincidence, but theyre always turning up and standing at my door right as im throwing dirty mop water out of the window above the door. i would NEVER throw the water on the tv license people who are just doing their jobs, of course. i always throw the bucket out the window, and if someone i didnt invite happens to be stood there for an hour at a time, banging shit out of my door and trying to look through my windows, how am I suposed to know that??

[@Freakyman403]

When i cancelled my tv license, i was told if i only watch things online that are not live broadcasts of broadcasted programs that would be on TV or on the BBC iPlayer i do not require a tv license and have been tv license free for 6 years now. and this was when i was on a phone call to their representative, and when they sent a letter as a "reminder" after 2 years i sent an email i do not need a tv license and have had no harassment from them, so i guess im thankfully not been harassed.

[@stevedawg9588]

When and if they come knocking, say no thank you/bugger off or just dont answer as so called "enforcement" are merely salesmen, no powers of ANY kind and DEFINITELY no powers of entry.

[@BigThrugg]

If it says I need a licence if I installed for the purpose of watching live TV, what if I did when I had a licence but no longer watch live TV. I initially installed it for the purpose, do I still need the licence.

[@thebaldyhippy]

No, it's what you use it for that decides if a licence is required not what you bought it to do or it is capable of, for eg you have matches but aren't going to set fire to a house, you have knives but you aren't going to stab anyone, you have a hammer but you aren't going to hit anyon over the head. So you can have a TV and never watch iPlayer or live broadcasts, so don't need a licence. Someone else stays at your house while you are out and they watch live TV, and they invite a visiting enforcement officer in, then your getting a fine.