Confused re TV licence:)

[onebrownonegreeneye]

Sorry for being a bit thick 🙄
I understand if I cancel.my TV licence I can't watch iPlayer or anything live (or record live).
But can I still watch freeview and what's the difference between freeview and on demand? Is on demand for extra subscriptions e.g. Netflix which I have. Where would you watch non live ITV/Channel 4/5 etc?
Apologies in advance for such stupid questions (I've even changed user name as embarrassed 😂)

You can’t watch Freeview because it’s live TV. You could watch any non-BBC catch-up service like ITV Hub, All 4, My 5, UKTV Play, Netflix, Now TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube etc (just don’t watch live streaming on any of these services as it’s not allowed).

and you can't have your devices plugged in apparently.

If something is being broadcast to a timetable on a channel, then it’s a ‘live broadcast’.

If you just have a big list of things you can pick to start and stop watching at any time (like Netflix), that is ’on demand’. BBC iplayer is ‘on demand’ but requires a license because it’s the BBC.

The TV licensing site is designed to be hard to understand (for example, there is no way the declare you don’t need a tv license section, and particularly the screening questions, isn’t designed to confuse people who don’t need one into just buying a license in case).

It does sound like you need one though, if you watch tv on freeview.

You cannot watch any live TV but you can watch all catch up EXCEPT BBC iPlayer. I cancelled years ago and also said they have no right on my property. I refuse to fund the BBC when I pay for Netflix and Apple TV

YouTube etc (just don’t watch live streaming on any of these services as it’s not allowed).

you can watch live streaming on YouTube/twitch/tik tok and so on. So long as it isn’t a tv channel (even an international tv channel) doing the streaming.

So you can watch some random tik toker drawing live doodles or someone streaming themselves playing Minecraft. But you can’t watch sky news’s live YouTube feed.

Again, the TV licensing site is deliberately confusing about this. See the screenshot. This article explains more about the live broadcast/TV channel bit : https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/do-i-need-a-tv-licence-twitch-youtube-live/

If something is being broadcast to a timetable on a channel, then it’s a ‘live broadcast’.

I'm glad you explained this as I always thought live broadcast meant things like sport such as World Cup or Wimbledon, or the News rather than a channel timetable

The wording used is horrendously confusing. I absolutely believe it’s intentionally confusing.

It’s properly nasty service design to try to confuse and scare people into paying for services they may not need - and leave even those who do need them (and are paying) feeling confused and a bit anxious about what they’re supposed to be doing.

There are some sensible people who post videos on youtube explaining what you can and can't watch without a tv licence, they explain any letters that are sent out which can sound quite serious and threatening and just give general info about myths and rules the bbc think they can enforce - very enlightening when you find out the facts.

Thanks guys! Think I've got it now! First thing on Tuesday I'm out 😄

You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they're broadcast, and to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer

You need a TV Licence if you:

• watch or record live TV on any channel or service
• use BBC iPlayer

You may be able to get a free or discounted TV Licence if you’re 75 or over and get Pension Credit, or if you’re blind or in residential care.

You do not need a TV Licence to watch:

• streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
• on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
• videos on websites like YouTube
• videos or DVDs

https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence

(I'm glad I checked this because I have a relative who renewed her licence just after her 75th birthday and was moaning about how oldies like her no longer got a free licence, but it looks like she should have got a discount!)

Also I am now going to add up the cost of ad free services for ITVx C4 etc., and see it that is the same amount per year as a tv licence.

Although have to admit as someone who listens to quite a lot of radio, including the BBC, would wonder how that would work.

Would I get BBC radio free?!

Radio has nothing to do with TV licensing. Even BBC radio.

I can tell you that the standard monthly ad-free Netflix package costs less overall than an annual TV licence. From tomorrow, when the licence fee increases by £10.50, it will cost considerably less! Plus Netflix won't send you horrible letters or threaten you with court if you later decide to ditch them.

Ad free services are quite expensive if you have them all, plus paying extra for a decent picture with a lot of the streamers, I have ad free where I can

I have canx my TV Licence in 2014. I watch Netflix and have Spotify subscriptions, watch You Tube.

I receive a letter every year asking me to update the TV licensing authority online if there were any changes in my circumstances, which there isn't and I could not be happier with my decision. In fact, the first phonecall I made to inform them, I was told they would send someone round to check I was telling them the truth!🤣 I'm still waiting for them!!!!!!! Haha.......!!!!

So long as you avoid Freeview, live TV, iPlayer and make sure no TV is plugged in you'll be fine. This also applies to phones, tablets any other devices etc.

Radio has nothing to do with TV licensing. Even BBC radio.

How do you think the BBC pays for its range of radio stations?

Haven't you seen the number of people complaining about the loss of local radio, which plays an important part of their lives.

Are you aware that one of the main reasons the BBC has made so many cuts and is raising the cost of the licence because the Foreign Office stopped funding the BBC World Service, but told them they still had to provide the service.

Whether you think the World Service is UK propoganda or a worthwhile service to parts of the world that have no acces to news, this is why you licence fee has gone up.

It allowed the Tories to make a cut to the BBC with most people not being aware, and it then prompting a lot of people to moan about the licence, as though the BBC itself had cause the problem.

So you may think it is about whether you should pay for Stictly Come Dancing or over priced sports commentators as you dont watch the BBC tv, but all this is down to the double standards of politicians.

On one hand they like the fact that the World Service enhances the UK's reputation, but on the other hand dont want to pay for it.

In case you are interested there is a campaign to get the Foreign Office to go back to funding the World Service.

I think all of these can be watched online via web site so not broadcast

£39.99pa for All 4 without ads
£59.99pa for ITVx without ads
This is about £69 cheaper than the TV licence

So if you genuinely never ever watch any BBC this would be a saving. And they both have news services, if that is something you want.

My5 doesn’t offer ad free service
UKTV doesn’t offer ad free service ( but re-shows some older BBC dramas)

Also not sure that Netflix quite replicates the range of BBC programmes.

If I wanted to focus on films you can sign up to something like Curzon Home Cinema where you only pay for the films you want to watch.

(Correction: I misread the TV licence information and it is only free to 75 and over if you are on pension credit - which I suppose makes it more targetted.)

How do you think the BBC pays for its range of radio stations?

Haven't you seen the number of people complaining about the loss of local radio, which plays an important part of their lives.

If you don’t like that tv licensing only applies to tv, not radio, maybe take that up with the government.

As it is, radio (including BBC radio) is free to anyone who wants to listen to it. That is just true, even if you’d prefer it not to be.

If you don’t like that tv licensing only applies to tv, not radio, maybe take that up with the government.

Oh dear, you've manage to take what I said totally back to front!

Strange as I actually pointed out that the Foreign Office no longer funding the BBC World service is why so many services have been cut, and staff sacked because the Licence fee now has to cover the World Service.

Its called a TV licence but what it is is the funding for the entire BBC, whether radio, tv, here in the UK or overseas. And obvioulsly before there was tv it was called a receiving licence.

Comparing the BBC to say Netflix doesn't equate because Netflix and others go for the most popular. The BBC supposedly provides programmes whether via radio, tv or internet that are meant to catered for all tastes at some point in the day..

Its a Public Broadcasting Service not a money making commercial enterprise.

But in 2024, you do not need a tv license to listen to the radio, including the BBC services.

No one is doing anything wrong by not buying one if they don’t watch live tv broadcasts or use iplayer and still sometimes listen to radio 4 in the car.

Where the BBC gets its funding is not relevant to the ‘do you need a tv license?’ question.

Thanks so much everyone - really helpful replies. TV licence now cancelled! Won't miss the Beeb!

Its a Public Broadcasting Service not a money making commercial enterprise

Well, aside from the significant part of it which is a money-making commercial enterprise.

You can’t stream anything that is happening right now - such as football, news, Coronation street episode that is being broadcast for the first time etc

You can watch catch-up TV - ie content that has already been aired - on apps, that can be accessed on a smart TV or firestick type device