The license is for the use of equipment for receiving ‘live’ broadcast/simulcast. Since iPlayer for non-live doesn’t need a license, it would be perverse to require a license for non-live Virgin, but it would be wise to seek a ruling first.

You could simply write to TVL for clarification as follows: do you need a license to subscribe to a mixed TV service like Virgin’s which provides live and non-live content, if you don’t watch the live content?

Virgin may keep records of what you’ve watched – these could possibly be seized as evidence.

Tim

But the TVL say that you don’t need a license to watch iPlayer, (as long as you’re not watching live). And presumably this is the same for 4od and other services you can catch-up on online.

So, it seems quite a grey area using a Virgin box for catch-up that /can/ receive live broadcast…

…but aren’t there plenty of people in this situation? And a growing number at that given the rise in on demand services? Shouldn’t TVL/BBC spell it out?!

Even though it would seem to be legal, In the end I’m probably going to leave the Virgin box disconnected. Yea, that’s right! I’m scared of those big bad bullies and their court threats! I don’t want the hassle!

BTW – Colour TV Licence (£142.50)
Black and white TV Licence (£48.00)

For those who say that the TVL do not still use detector vans, sorry but they do, I have the misfortune to stop briefly to answer a call outside a building and see a dreaded van depart the said premises :(

If only I have stopped a few feet further then I might have saved some innocent person being further harrassed by this disgraceful outfit .. oh well always another day to try. (ps they were leaving at about 3 pm ish) most likely to try to catch kids watching tv after school.

Anyway ….. Television Licences, do I really need one?

I must confess to actually owning several of these confounded machines, but this does not mean I necessarily need a licence.

I have one TV in my bedroom, which is connected to a DVD player, it’s there if and when I ever choose to watch it. The TV is not connected to an ariel nor to any channels as such but is tuned to receive pictures from a small camera that shows any callers to my home. I presume that I am not required to have licence for this TV.

I also own several small portable TV’s that are stored within my loft space, I presume as none are plugged in to an electricity supply, and are not connected to any ariel, I do not need a licence for any of these either.

I then own a TV that I use as a quad screen for my home based CCTV system, again this is not tuned into any television programmes and has no ariel, I presume no TV licence is required for this set.

I then own a small entryphone with video screen which is situated within my lounge to let me see any callers in advance of my considering to open the door to ascertain who they may be (I play safe and act dumb if I am unsure of the caller) so presume yet again I do not need a licence for this bit of telecommunication device.

I then have a 60″ wide projection screen, which does not have any kind of receiving equipment whatsoever, so that doesn’t need a licence,

Then I have a rather large TV … which is capable of receiving television programmes, but is not connected to any ariel, or tuned into any channels but is connected to a Wii and a PS3, a DVD surround system and also serves as a pc. So I am guessing that as this is not tuned to any Television Channels, and has no ariel connected it is also exempt under the present legislation.

I am unsure of what the position is if I connect my Sky box to it, as then it is capable of receiving live TV broadcasts which is an iffy situation. its not illegal to own such equipment, just to watch it as it’s being broadcast live.

As it is possible with a sky box, or virgin one to watch programmes on demand such as pay per view, you only require a licence to actually watch programmes that are broadcast to all, as pay per view, is actually a mini home cinema and not a television broadcast.?

I then own a portable dvd player which is fitted inside my touring caravan, so this is exempt unless I add a freeview box to it to access tv channels, somehow I cant see TVL raiding every caravan site in the UK to check on all possible caravanners ….. they would stick out like a sore thumb lol.

Finally, I own an iMac which I use to view iplayer and others such as utube etc, and a laptop that I can also access these sorts of programmes upon.
I understand it is perfectly possible to download various programmes upon your pc, and then stream it to your TV or Monitor as it would be in such instances …. and as that is not being broadcast live or simultaneously as the terminology states, this too is exempt from requiring a TV Licence.

So all in all, I think I have the perfect solution to any future visits from TVL, yes they are writing to me with the standard threatening letter, but as I can see them approach my home a long time before they even get near the door (which wouldnt be opened anyway) Don’t you just love CCTV, I guess I will just ignore their pathetic threats and continue to shred the letters as I have done to date.

Or am I doing something wrong?

kaz

No. That’s not actually true.

The law is that if you watch live broadcasts, you must own a TV license, whether those broadcasts are BBC, ITV, Channel4 or whatever. It’s irrelevant that the money goes to the BBC, without a license, you aren’t allowed to watch other channels either.

If you don’t want to buy a TV license, then don’t. These days, there’s plenty of content available for free online.