Is TvCatchup.com. legal?

CliffyBiro · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:58

Just been browsing the TVC forums and have found that they are adding Sky Sports News, Sky 1 and Sky 3 to their channel line up and I suddenly wondered how it was legal.

It's a well known site, and IIRC, they even had something on the front page a while back claiming it was 100% legal. Does anyone know for sure?

I would have thought there would be some issue regarding the TV licence.

Biohazard · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:59

I'm sure if it wasn't bSKYb would be onto their lawyers pretty quickly.

Happy · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:02

It's currently legal because it has a very small time delay, so it isn't live iirc.

CliffyBiro · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:05

Happy said:
It's currently legal because it has a very small time delay, so it isn't live iirc.

Really? Seems like a very easy get-around.

Burnsy2023 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:06

Sky 3 and I think sky sports news are on freeview anyway, so I don't think Sky ware too worried about that. I can't see Sky 1 though.

CliffyBiro · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:13

Burnsy2023 said:
Sky 3 and I think sky sports news are on freeview anyway, so I don't think Sky ware too worried about that. I can't see Sky 1 though.

Sorry, meant Sky News.

TVC Admin said:
Hi All

We are pleased to announce the addition of three new FreeView channels to our existing channel lineup:

- Sky News
- Sky Sports News
- Sky Three

We are currently testing these channels on the live system and they will be enabled to all members as soon as possible!

They were live a while back but hit a few issues so took them down to iron out the bugs. Will be back up again soon apparently.

Happy · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:14

skippi90 said:
Really? Seems like a very easy get-around.

I think they're currently trying to get that changed.

Energize · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:15

Sky news and sky 3 are free so sky probably let them stream them.

Happy · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:19

But people without a license can watch for free, which is why they are trying to change the law regarding how such sites work.

Werewolf · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:26

As I understand it the site is on very grey ground - they do not have any permissions/rights to retransmit/broadcast (which is effectively what they are doing) the streams.

If it's legal it'll be due to a loophole rather than the spirit (or letter) of the respective laws.

mattheman · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:32

Oh we can't have that govenment etc.. need there cut.

K.C. Leblanc · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:33

Werewolf said:
As I understand it the site is on very grey ground - they do not have any permissions/rights to retransmit/broadcast (which is effectively what they are doing) the streams.

If it's legal it'll be due to a loophole rather than the spirit (or letter) of the respective laws.

That's a real shame, I use it quite a lot. Despite having a licensed TV I can only get 4 channels where I live. If this site disappeared I'd be well annoyed.

Strife212 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:35

Surely you can get a sattellite?

Sin_Chase · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:37

Happy said:
But people without a license can watch for free, which is why they are trying to change the law regarding how such sites work.

You can watch normal TV without a licence also, not that it's legal but you can.

Happy · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:40

Sin_Chase said:
You can watch normal TV without a licence also, not that it's legal but you can.

Yeah but that's illegal with as viewing material on this site without a license is legal. That's my understanding as to why they want it changed.

mcast123 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:41

I gave up with catchup, my PC is too noisey, there's a delay when switching and half the time I get "stream not found". I just turn on the TV and watch freeview again, it's easier.

Sin_Chase · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:42

Happy said:
Yeah but that's illegal with as viewing material on this site without a license is legal.

AFAIK you need a TV licence with a PC too.

Happy · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:44

Only for stuff like iplayer iirc, but not with this since it's on a delay.

MikeHunt79 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:44

Happy said:
Yeah but that's illegal with as viewing material on this site without a license is legal. That's my understanding as to why they want it changed.

Will this change also affect people that are using iplayer and 4od legally with no tv license?

Burnsy2023 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:45

MikeHunt79 said:
Will this change also affect people that are using iplayer and 4od legally with no tv license?

Yes.