To think you should be able to watch live news on YouTube in times of national emergency?

[brexitstolemyfuture]

If you don't have a TV licence you are not legally allowed to watch the sky news stream on YouTube. This isn't sky demanding it, but the BBC. Aibu to think in national security emergency's this then the BBC licence rules should not apply? Especially if you are not even watching the BBC.

The less well off people in society may need this information to help them, but many don't a have a license as it's pretty expensive.

[feathermucker]

If they can't afford a T.V. Licence, but they can afford whatever it is that gives them access to YouTube (mobile data, broadband etc) then they should buy a licence. It's the equivalent of about £12/13 pcm.

[OddBoots]

Radio is free for all isn't it? Most of the BBC national stations would be covering something if it were a national emergency, as would the BBC website which will have a live update on big stories.

[BBQsAreSooooOverrated]

Facebook often has videos on the news pages, it's where I usually find out first about breaking news as I don't watch much tv - it's usually Netflix.

[ghostyslovesheets]

yes listen to the radio - the news is paid for by license payers - why should people get it free?

[Timeforabiscuit]

I think you're right, in that there should be a national communication service in times of emergency - and this is covered by radio!

No need for you tube !

[brexitstolemyfuture]

Facebook live videos are not allowed if they are of a TV channel.

Ghostly I'm talking about sky news. That is not paid for by TV licence

If people only have 10 a month then might have to decide between broadband or TV licence. Just because they can afford one does mean they can afford two.

[DermotOLogical]

Sky news is partly funded by the TV licence.

As PPs said, radio is free.

[NoWordForFluffy]

Why would you specifically want to watch Sky news? Surely any news would do (including radio).

The BBC news website also has plenty of text and video content updated relatively quickly, so I don't see the need to specifically be able to watch Sky news.

[Penguina25]

They can still watch the news. Who will catch them?

[Migraleve]

No. People who don't have a TV licence are in that situation through choice. They can choose to change it if they wish.

[unfortunateevents]

Nobody, of any economic standing, NEEDS to be able to watch live news in this day and age. There's radio, all kinds of social media and every newspaper and TV station has a website.

[brexitstolemyfuture]

Source for sky news funded by TV licence?

I can't see where it does. Part of the fee also contributes to the UK broadband rollout, funding local TV channels and S4C, the Welsh language TV channel, as was agreed with the government as part of the 2010 licence fee settlement.

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-does-your-licence-fee-pay-for-top13

Is watching sky news is more ethical than listening to a BBC radio station?

[OddBoots]

I have the Red Cross emergency app that will send alerts to incidents that affect the places I have set, most of the stuff that comes through is weather related but it also covers terror and disasters when they occur.

[YoureNotASausage]

What's it got to do with YouTube? Just read the bloody news sites.

[TheSkyisBlueToday]

TBF if there was such a national emergency that required your urgent attention, you're last worry would be 'shit I don't have a TV licence'.

[Suprasegmental]

What's the source for "If you don't have a TV licence you are not legally allowed to watch the sky news stream on YouTube."?

[BabsGanoush]

What do think constitutes a 'National Emergency'? It won't be tragedies like Grenfell, so you won't get your 'fix' for free - it's more likely bad weather warnings etc

[BabsGanoush]

What do think constitutes a 'National Emergency'? It won't be tragedies like Grenfell, so you won't get your 'fix' for free - it's more likely bad weather warnings etc

[harderandharder2breathe]

Read news websites. Why do you need to watch Sky news?

If you choose not to pay for a tv license then you can't expect to benefit from it

[bobblyorangerug]

Pay for a tv licence.

Problem solved.

To access YouTube, internet data or wifi is needed so that's obviously being paid for?

[BertieBotts]

While this is technically true nobody is going to beam into your house and fine you. I can watch the sky news youtube stream and I'm not even in the UK so I couldn't get a TV licence if I wanted to.

[BertieBotts]

Sky news is the only one available outside the UK. Bbc live streams aren't accessible except in special cases eg election and referendum night they allowed it.

[Clalpolly]

If you can afford to pay for wifi , I'm surprised you can't afford a TV license. There is an alternative to paying for wifi at home - namely, the library. Not satisfactory but still possible. Or just put the radio on.

[RortyCrankle]

Of course YABU. If you want something then pay for it. Also depends what you call a national emergency. Declaration of war - yes, terrorist attack - no.

[titchy]

why can't you get news updates from the BBC website...? Why the need for skynews?