TV Licence Super Thread

[Glaucus]

I don't believe Netflix or Amazon carry any live broadcast material so don't require a TV license, not sure how that works under the changes to "catch up" legality where they have BBC shows, etc. but as you pay for those via those services I suspect they are licensed differently to the same thing on iPlayer, etc. though that point seems very vague - one of my relatives is having a melt down at the moment as they don't own a TV or watch any live TV but do sometimes buy BBC shows via Amazon, etc. and just had the leaflet through about catch up changes which isn't clear on that point, but a bit threatening in tone, and no one at the BBC has given them a straight answer when they called them.

There is no change, except for using iPlayer.
Non of that requires a license, its rather simple.

Are you watching or recording something that is also being broadcast live on conventional TV channlea, free view, sky, virgin or from September using iPlayer, if not, no license required. So you cab still use catch up of on other channels like 4od with no issues, as long as its not the live chabbels.

 

[Rroff]

If you consider a letter once or twice a year to be bullying, harassment and intimidation you've led a very sheltered life.

If you inform them you don't need a license apparently they only send out "reminders" or a visit every 2 years.

 

[Rroff]

There is no change, except for using iPlayer.
Non of that requires a license, its rather simple.

Are you watching or recording something that is also being broadcast live on conventional TV channlea, free view, sky, virgin or from September using iPlayer, if not, no license required. So you cab still use catch up of on other channels like 4od with no issues, as long as its not the live chabbels.

I've pretty much told them that but I can't find anything to actually prove it so they aren't taking my word for it.

 

[Glaucus]

Its simple letting them in for me led to nothing but harassment. So I don't let them in any more. Why would you let sales people into your house which is all they are?

Would you let someone in from Microsoft or Apple to make sure you are licenced? I don't let them in any more as I have proven to them I don't have a TV and they still send threating letters and try constant "inspections" despite them knowing I don't even own a TV.

Lol, because a tax backed up by is is anything like apple or Microsoft.
Al though you don't have to let them in anyway,but such anaologys are just stupid.

 

[Glaucus]

I've pretty much told them that but I can't find anything to actually prove it so they aren't taking my word for it.

Its on the website,you just need to read it carfully
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

The law is changing. From 1 September 2016 you'll need a TV Licence to watch or download BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer

only affects iplayer

only part of this that is actually needed, rest is just guff that makes peopel feel they might need it.

No matter what device you use, you must be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record live TV. This includes:
TV sets
Laptops and desktop computers
Tablets, mobile phones, satnavs and other portable devices
Digital boxes (PVRs), satellite and cable, e.g. Freeview, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, YouView, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Amazon Fire TV
Games consoles
DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders

 

[doofer]

If you consider a letter once or twice a year to be bullying, harassment and intimidation you've led a very sheltered life.

This is a pic from July 2013, there is about 2 years worth of letters here and 4 'Missed Visit' Cards IIRC:

I still save them, would you like a pic of them now? Once or twice a year should be another maximum of six there in the pile right?

I don't have a TV BTW, I did watch some things on the non-Live BBC iPlayer for a while a few years ago and use very little catch-up TV, I have not legally needed a Licence for well over 16 years, probably nearer 20 years.

 

[Pottsey]

Lol, because a tax backed up by is is anything like apple or Microsoft.
Al though you don't have to let them in anyway,but such anaologys are just stupid.

I see it as the same thing. You need a licence to use Microsoft software and you need a licence to watch live TV. That's not stupid to me to compare them.

 

[SixTwoSix]

This is a pic from July 2013, there is about 2 years worth of letters here and 4 'Missed Visit' Cards IIRC:

I still save them, would you like a pic of them now? Once or twice a year should be another maximum of six there in the pile right?

I don't have a TV BTW, I did watch some things on the non-Live BBC iPlayer for a while a few years ago and use very little catch-up TV, I have not legally needed a Licence for well over 16 years, probably nearer 20 years.

Christ, that is excessive...seems like you're the exception, not the rule though.

How many times have you told them you don't have a TV? How many times have you allowed them to come in and see for themselves?

 

[Glaucus]

I see it as the same thing. You need a licence to use Microsoft software and you need a licence to watch live TV. That's not stupid to me.

No, it is not similar, TV license is a tax, like council tax or any other tax backed up by law, nothing remotely like a Microsoft license.

 

[Rroff]

Its on the website,you just need to read it carfully
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one


only affects iplayer

only part of this that is actually needed, rest is just guff that makes peopel feel they might need it.

^^ Thats the problems - the flyer opens with changes to on demand and catch up consumption but doesn't mention specific services in the opening bit and then goes onto talk about iPlayer in the rest of it without actually saying it does or doesn't apply to other services.

 

[Rroff]

Christ, that is excessive...seems like you're the exception, not the rule though.

How many times have you told them you don't have a TV? How many times have you allowed them to come in and see for themselves?

If you tell them you don't need a license they in theory don't bother you for 2 years - if you don't tell them they do tend to hassle some people for some reason more than others.

Some of my relatives are very religious and don't have a TV or watch anything live on principle and have very varying experiences with the BBC - some just send a letter saying they don't need a license and are rarely bothered but others have had quite a lot of hassle - a couple of them have piles like the picture above and while it might be coincidence are the least cooperative about it and will give them a hard time if they visit.

 

[Burnsy2023]

If you tell them you don't need a license they in theory don't bother you for 2 years - if you don't tell them they do tend to hassle some people for some reason more than others.

That there is the solution, just declare that you don't need one and then you avoid all the drama.

 

[Pottsey]

No, it is not similar, TV license is a tax, like council tax or any other tax backed up by law, nothing remotely like a Microsoft license.

It is similar its a licence you pay and only pay if you use the product. Its just like using Windows where you need a licence. Its not like the other tax's where you have to pay if you use the service or not.

Christ, that is excessive...seems like you're the exception, not the rule though.

How many times have you told them you don't have a TV? How many times have you allowed them to come in and see for themselves?

That's not an exception its common for people who don't have a licence. I have the same problem. No matter what I do they wont stop knocking on the door and sending letters sometimes as often as weekly.

 

[Pottsey]

That there is the solution, just declare that you don't need one and then you avoid all the drama.

Doesn't work for many people. They ignore that a lot of the time.

 

[Glaucus]

It is similar its a licence you pay and only pay if you use the product. Its just like using Windows where you need a licence. Its not like the other tax's where you have to pay if you use the service or not.




That's not an exception its common for people who don't have a licence. I have the same problem. No matter what I do they wont stop knocking on the door and sending letters sometimes as often as weekly.

No, it is not in anyway similar as shown in law, terminology and everything else.
What you believe doesn't come into it, as what you believe is clearly and factually wrong.
The law for TV license is easily available for you to lookup, try finding anything similar for Microsoft.
Breaking a Microsoft license isn't even criminal, they would have to bring a civil case against you and would avoid that at all costs as they like every other large company know half of what is in there licenses/contracts are not enforceable.

Again they are not remotely the same and your just showing you lack of comperhension.

 

[Dup]

I have an empty house (has been for 2 years) that has a stack of similar letters like above. Alsorts of threats etc.

I call them and they just say they'll put a note on the system but in 3 months they'll start pursuing again...

 

[Pottsey]

No, it is not in anyway similar as shown in law, terminology and everything else.
What you believe doesn't come into it, as what you believe is clearly and factually wrong.
The law for TV license is easily available for you to lookup, try finding anything similar for Microsoft.
Breaking a Microsoft license isn't even criminal, they would have to bring a civil case against you and would avoid that at all costs as they like every other large company know half of what is in there licenses/contracts are not enforceable.

Again they are not remotely the same and your just showing you lack of comperhension.

Well you are wrong from the point of view I was talking about as they are similar. You only pay if you use the product. You don’t have to let them in the house. You don’t have to prove you need a licence. In all areas that matter as an end user I can treat them as exactly the same as a licence. Hence why I said they are similar. If you are doing nothing wrong they are more similar to a licence then a Tax as unlike the other tax’s you don’t pay if you don’t use the service. Yes there are differences in the law but for my analogy they are similar.

They are some areas that are the same as they are both services you pay a licence to use. Its not up to the end user to prove they need a licence and both company can be turned away from visiting our homes to see if we need a licence. Its up to us to get a licence if we need one.

 

[Glaucus]

even in your anology they aren't remotely similar. legaly or otherwise they arn't remotely the same. to totally different things, with different laws, different outcomes and different ways of dealing with people who dont pay.
for a start ms would not get away with sending such misleading and threatening letters out. but tv license does because its a tax.

 

[Pottsey]

even in your anology they aren't remotely similar. legaly or otherwise they arn't remotely the same. to totally different things, with different laws, different outcomes and different ways of dealing with people who dont pay.
for a start ms would not get away with sending such misleading and threatening letters out. but tv license does because its a tax.

I didn't say everything was the same. I said some areas are similar and the areas I was talking about are pretty much the same, hence similar. There is a different outcome if you break the law but if you follow the law you treat both the same and both function in pretty much the same way.

You are wrong in saying they are not aren't remotely similar. There are differences but there are also areas that are similar. EDIT: I can treat the TV licence exactly the same as I treat a windows licence and no harm well come that's how similar they are.

 

[Glaucus]

no they arent similar, so your saying just bvecause they are both called a license they are similar. lol. even the way you used them in your original post is wrong. tv license can actually get a warrant to get into your house. Microsoft cant. they arnet similar even in the way you used it, just lol at you keep trying to defend it.

and yes i am bored.