Do i really need a tv license?

[theone2k10]

I've seen a few tv license threads on here so really just wanted to create a thread giving advice on wether or not you need a tv license.

You do need a tv license if
you watch or record live tv as it's being broadcast this includes +1 channels
you watch live news streams on youtube such as bbc news, sky news etc
you watch or download anything on bbc iplayer.
you watch live tv via apps such as itvx, 4, my5, skygo, amazon prime.

you do not need a tv license if
you own a tv, laptop, pc, tablet etc
you only watch on demand content from itvx, 4, my5, skygo, amazon prime, Netflix etc
you only watch on demand news on youtube even bbc news as long as you do not watch it's live stream.
you watch you favourite streamer on twitch, youtube, kick etc.
you only watch dvds/blu rays
you only play video games
you do not use bbc iplayer

I've probably missed some stuff but i think you get the general idea basically as long as you do not watch or record any live tv or watch or download anything from bbc iplayer you do not need a tv license and could save yourself £159 a year.
If you do decide to cancel your tv license and you are paying by direct debit phone them and tell them you wish to cancel as you may be due a refund, then cancel the direct debit after the phonecall.
I hope this helps anyone out who wants to save a bit of money.

This is brilliant! The rules are so complicated it's good to have it all in one post. Thank you OP.

My partner doesnt have a tv lic
He just has / uses Netflix
And disney plus

Same as i use but i do have nowtv too but only use the on demand stuff.

I cancelled mine long ago. This lawyer is really useful for explaining your legal rights.

Also really grinds my gears how they (the BBC) try frighten people (who aren’t using BBC live tv) into paying the license fee. Bastards.

You also don't need one to use the BBC website or listen to BBC radio (2 myths I've heard!)

You do not need one no for bbc website or any radio station including the bbc ones.

We only watch Netflix, Disney plus, and YouTube videos, would that mean we don’t need a licence?

If you are not watching any live content then no.

Prime is the dodger one, as some stuff is live (like sports matches)

S4C is also not covered by TV Licencing, so you are free to watch that without a licence, though how you actually go about that without falling foul of the other conditions is for you to figure out.

You can watch Amazon Sport live (or any other live content) as long as it is not the same as a TV channel being broadcast at the same time (more or less).

You can use iPlayer to watch S4C on-demand stuff without needing a Licence (and it doesn't ask you, if you do that).