TV license to watch iplayer!

[flutterbybutterflies]

I can't believe it! Haven't had a tv license for over a decade (refuse to pay for Mostly crap telly so use catch up.
But now can't access iplayer without a license!
Thank God the Olympics & Fleabag have finished. Am I missing out by ditching the iplayer?
There's no way I'm getting a license. Is there a way around paying for a license I wonder?

[allegretto]

Netflix is mostly older programmes. The BBC make a lot of original programmes and that costs!

[Brokenbiscuit]

If the op is a freeloader, what are the rest of us who listen to the radio, read the news on bbc online, get the weather online, without paying a tv liscense? Bit rich really to be so accusational.

No hypocrisy here, I've always paid for a TV license.

Personally, I think anyone who uses BBC services (radio, website etc) should contribute towards the cost of the BBC, and yes, those who choose not to contribute are freeloaders - legal or otherwise.

I get that some people genuinely can't afford it, and that's a bit different. The only people I know who don't pay the license are all pretty wealthy though.

[ForeverEyesOfBlue]

I was downloading programmes on iPlayer yesterday and a box popped up asking me to confirm that I had a TV licence. I do, so I just clicked yes, but they didn't ask for any more details. How are the BBC checking that people watching iPlayer actually do have licences?

[Pemba]

Good question.

[SoupDragon]

They are just using the same "traditional methods" of tracking down non payers apparently.

[flutterbybutterflies]

GMBK
have already said not paying licence & not watching iplayer
Puppymonkey
Last holiday cost £120 & was fab thanks

[Pemba]

If anyone is interested, just checked that you don't need a licence to use BBC Store, and found this on BBC news website:

'If you only use iPlayer to listen to the radio, watch S4C TV on demand, or watch films or TV shows you have bought from the BBC Store, then you do not need a TV licence.'

Also checked BBC Store, and you can buy the current series of Bake Off for £18.99, with each episode becoming available the day after it is broadcast. Also the current series of Casualty is on there for £29.99, which for 43 episodes is not too bad really (equivalent to a couple of trips to the cinema), and certainly if that's all you watch it's a lot cheaper than paying a licence. Plus, you get to keep the episodes, most IPlayer stuff automatically deletes after 30 days.

[NatalieRushman]

Allegretto no! the BBC better get their act together with showing stuff overseas. My dsis almost dragged us home one holiday because she found out she could access iplayer to watch doctor who!

[flutterbybutterflies]

Personally, I think anyone who uses BBC services (radio, website etc) should contribute towards the cost of the BBC, and yes, those who choose not to contribute are freeloaders - legal or otherwise.

I listen to Radio 6music. Only BBC service I access. Are you saying I should spend £145 a year for the Privilege? And if I don't I'm a freeloader?

[NatalieRushman]

Couldn't, that is.

[Breadwidow]

There is no means of checking online, TV licensing spend quite a lot on detection but even that will be useless for this. Hence I think it will all be so much simpler and cheaper with a universal levy. I don't watch a lot of bbc tv but think the license fee is worth is for part funding channel 4, bbc radio and the BBC website

[allegretto]

I know Natalie - we are going to have to watch Italian Bake off instead - no Mary, no Mel and Sue, no innuendos and even worse, only two bakes per episode.

[Gmbk]

Yes flutter you are a freeloader if you listen to 6music.

[coolerthanthereddress]

How are they actually going to enforce it does anybody know?

[Gmbk]

They aren't.

Like most laws, it relies on the majority of law abiding citizens to follow the rules.

Would you drink drive if you thought you'd get away with it? No different to not paying for a TV license and watching iplayer.

[rubbishbin]

Since the jimmy Saville scandal I've wanted the bbc to fuck off and fall apart...

[EttaJ]

OP buy a GBox or similar . You can watch anything you like . I watch all
The U.K. Channels over here. Live streaming and pre recorded. I haven't tried to use the app since the new law came in. If you have a licence, what do you have to do to get access?

[kittyjewel]

I read the rules on daily mirror website yesterday. You don't need a licence if you watch it on iPad, phone or tablet AS LONG AS ITS NOT connected up to a mains/socket you use to watch the tele/ariel. Also as long as it's not LIVE TV. You can watch catch ups. But if you watch iplayer on a tv then you have to pay coz ur watching it thru the ariel that the tv is plugged into. But I'm confused slightly, I don't fully understand all the rules, I only took notice of the iplayer one.

[SingingMyOwnSpecialSong]

Thanks Pemba can't justify the license fee for Bake Off, but can probably stretch to £18.99. Toddler DD loves Bing but we have bought a 3 DVD set from Amazon for £11 so that should keep her happy for a bit. On the plus side there will be no browsing of cbeebies for her as she gets older so no pestering for associated merchandise.

[PhoenixJasmine]

Gmbk your reasoning is way off, IMO. Drink driving endangers lives. Watching iPlayer does not. Your argument loses all credibility when you try to equate the two.

As for listening to the radio being freeloading....I'm not sure how many times people can say, a licence is not required to listen to BBC radio. Are the rest of the world freeloading when they listen to BBC World Service? Should the entire planet be posting donations to the UK?

The current system is not a general media tax. A media tax does not sound unreasonable, to be honest, but that's not what we currently have.

[Breadwidow]

Kitty: that used to be the case but now you need a license for catch up services too.

I should also add this was not the BBC's own idea but govt policy: www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-bbc-for-the-future-a-broadcaster-of-distinction

[Breadwidow]

The license fee is not a general media tax, but does also part fund other broadcasters, such as channel 4

The foreign office used to provide the BBC with funding for the world service but give cuts mean the BBC will fund the service themselves, they do generate money via selling TV/web services abroad (eg selling programmes to foreign channels) so that will help. On another note over 75s get a free license. The govt used to fund that - DWP gave money back to the BBC - but now they won't so the BBC will also meet the cost effectively meaning that are having a big funding cut.

[KP86]

Kitty, that's only the case if you are at an address that does have a licence.

Eg. it allows you to take your laptop/tablet over the road to Bob's house to 'borrow' his licence while you watch your program.

[kittyjewel]

Ah thanks, as I said it confused me slightly so wasn't too sure tbh. Does the same apply to all to apps like channel 4 too? 4OD I think it's called?

[KP86]

No, only BBC products.