[UK] TV License Needed?

[Richard Hammond]

I like how a lot of people complain about paying ?120 per annum for a TV licence yet they are quite prepared to pay ?40 per month for Sky/Cable TV:rolleyes:s:

Dunno if thats aimed at me or not, i have a TV that doesnt have a TV tuner, i get TV and Phone bundled in with my net connection for ?1 on top of my internet, i dont watch live TV at all i just use Virgins Catchup TV to watch stuff from other channels and their TV Choice to watch On Demand TV Shows, damn right im going to moan if i have to pay ?120+ when i dont even watch BBC stuff just because my Cable Box is capable of receiving BBC.

[crazzyyfool]

Dunno if thats aimed at me or not, i have a TV that doesnt have a TV tuner, i get TV and Phone bundled in with my net connection for ?1 on top of my internet, i dont watch live TV at all i just use Virgins Catchup TV to watch stuff from other channels and their TV Choice to watch On Demand TV Shows, damn right im going to moan if i have to pay ?120+ when i dont even watch BBC stuff just because my Cable Box is capable of receiving BBC.

Not aimed at you just I've heard people complain about the TV licence yet they have Sky. What TV do you have that doesn't have a tuner? I thought ALL TV's had some sort of tuner, otherwise what's the point. You say you don't watch BBC content. There must be aleasti> one programme you watch on the BBC, live or not.

Just an example but the HD coverage of the Olympics on the BBC was excellent. Not to mention all the Red Button stuff. Wimbledon on the BBC is also excellent. I watched the last two mens matches of the Tennis US Open on Sky Sports 1 and it was unbelievably annoying to have an ad break every ten minutes plus all the advertsing and sponsorship splattered everywhere. I am not saying I agree 100% with the TV licence (it could be cheaper) but the business model works.

Edited September 9, 2008 by kraized

[Richard Hammond]

32" Matsui LCD, has HDMI and Scart inputs but no TV Tuner.

I dont watch anything BBC, the On Demand section of Virgin Media has filters that you can sort via TV Channel. I got tired of having really long waits between series of TV shows coupled with the fact that BBC tv shows are getting fewer and fewer episodes it wasnt worth me paying ?120 a year for, so i just stopped watching anything BBC.

I do however watch BBC stuff on DVD but thankfully i dont get the TV Licencing Mafia telling me i have to pay to watch those. I can just pay ?3.99 a month and get DVD rentals, i can watch films, BBC content, Blu-rays.

[Lt-DavidW]

Why is it the right thing to do??

Because the BBC are the last remaining institution with any power that, thanks to the License Fee, must present quality programming over viewing figures. This means that rubbish like Big Brother and X Factor stay off the BBC (despite their high viewing figures).

It also allows BBC News to take an impartial view because it is not reliant on third party advertisers or sponsors. Take a look at ITN and Fox News which are two of the most commercialised news outlets, and you will see the immediate difference in quality. When was the last time you saw ITV News sourced on the Neowin homepage? :x

And you don't have to put up with those annoying insurance and loan adverts...

All depends what you want to do with it, if you can prove that its not tuned in to BBC channels when the inspector comes around and you have no intention of watching it you dont need a licence.

BBC channels or not, if you can receive a TV or Radio signal you must purchase a license.

[crazzyyfool]

Because the BBC are the last remaining institution with any power that, thanks to the License Fee, must present quality programming over viewing figures. This means that rubbish like Big Brother and X Factor stay off the BBC (despite their high viewing figures).

The BBC does produce cack like Last Choir Standing and Strickly Come Mincing (Dancing) though. The thing is if the programme doesn't have good viewing figures (despite being of high quality) it will get axed. Its all about the ratings at the end of the day.

Edited September 9, 2008 by kraized

[monkey13]

BBC channels or not, if you can receive a TV or Radio signal you must purchase a license.

Yep and you it doesn't even need to be a standard TV tuner.

You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.

I think they changed it so that if you are watching live TV in any way you need a licence. Although I didn't hear about a change in the law and I wonder if this has been tested in court yet.

[Richard Hammond]

They wonder why there are so many TV Licence dodgers, they need to seriously rethink the TV Licence.

[BGM]

they should rebrand 'tv license', it does sound a bit stupid... something like anti-advertising fee perhaps?

i am perfectly happy to pay my fee for no adverts, hate ****ing adverts!!

[leesmithg]

Yep and you it doesn't even need to be a standard TV tuner.

I think they changed it so that if you are watching live TV in any way you need a licence. Although I didn't hear about a change in the law and I wonder if this has been tested in court yet.

Don't matter what channel/frequency you watch, you need a licence.

Depending on how brainwashed the operator is when you phone tv licence office, they say even if you don't watch bbc.

As long as you have any device that can receive a signal.

I don't watch the BBC often, maybe 3 hours pcm.

I mainly watch UK gold, yes one of their channels, bskyb sports, espn, bskyb news and sports.

However, even if I watched only bskyb and nothing else connected to bbc, I still get told I have to be mugged of the ?10 a month I pay for a licence.

BBC are like the mafia.

They take our money, buy crap and make crap and expect us to swallow it.

They employ far too many staff, they waste money on political programs, which are orientated to which ever political party is in power or about to be in power and they got rid of the cricket. Soul Limbo, cricket and BBC no longer a team.

They also make money on selling the programmes they made with our money, do we get a dividend?

Hell no.

BBC should advertise, they do on their channels on satellite.

I don't mind adverts, great time to make some tea or drain my lizard.

So licence should be scrapped.

[Bhav]

The loophole in the TV License is that if it's a portable device it's covered by your home's TV License...as long as you don't plug it into the mains. So yes, even a laptop...as long as you don't plug it into the mains you're doing nothing illegal :)

[Lt-DavidW]

They wonder why there are so many TV Licence dodgers, they need to seriously rethink the TV Licence.

You have a choice. If you don't like it, then don't buy or watch it.

But don't then use receiving equipment to illegally watch TV, because that would make you a hypocrite.

[DrCheese]

It also allows BBC News to take an impartial view

For reference, every UK TV news organisation has to be impartial. They aren't allowed to express views or bias like they are in the US. This is why Sky News is so different than fox news, despite it being owned by the same company.

I love the license fee. I was able to watch the Olympics live without adbreaks every 5 seconds.

[Richard Hammond]

You have a choice. If you don't like it, then don't buy or watch it.

But don't then use receiving equipment to illegally watch TV, because that would make you a hypocrite.

What?

So i either have to put up and shut up and pay the ?120+ that funds ONLY the BBC just so i can watch non BBC stuff, or i cant buy a TV and cant watch any of the other channels that are free/advertisement paid?

How is that a choice?

Its people like you that let the BBC get away with this nonsense.

[DrCheese]

?120+ that funds ONLY the BBC

Actually some of that is earmarked for digital switchover costs at the moment(i.e advertising, help for the old etc) and once that's over, ofcom is considering giving some of it to other companies to fund news reporting (ITV cry that it costs them to much to do local news nowadays)

[Ci7]

TV License lol

they might as well license the right to breath O2

at least we have freedom to TV get and watching it

seriously why ?? driving a car , plane ,owning gun etc make a sense to req a license

[Richard Hammond]

I dont care about digital switchover, i dont care about the BBC, i dont watch live TV. Why should i be forced on penalty of fine or imprisonment for something i wont watch or use, America does free over the air TV wether its ad supported or not its free, they even get free HD tv channels.

If Microsoft said you must pay them ?120 a year wether you are going to us Microsoft products or any of the free Operating Systems everyone would be crying about it. Whats the difference?

[acnpt]

Im not agaisnt the tv license, as I do like the BBC.

1.) The price is too high, ?120 per year!, and the bbc spend half of it on rubbish!(ie moving their HQ to Salford)

2.) They charge students the full amount. Should be free, at least discounted, as us students don't have much money, or watch much tv.

3.) The money grabbing b******s, still charge the blind, ?70 a year!!.

4.) The Tv Licensing company are bullys, using far too aggressive letters/threats(eg We will pay a visit!!, but in fact they need a warrant to enter your house.)

but to be legal you need a tv license.

I wish that they had implemented a subscription service for the bbc, with the transfer to digital!!.

[Kushan]

If I'm not mistaken, the license is for TV's. That applies to anything capable of receiving a TV signal (but if you don't use it for TV, i.e. it's only plugged into a Console and not a TV aerial as well then it's also ok), but it DOESN'T include the iPlayer. If you use the iPlayer only, you don't need a license.

[leesmithg]

For reference, every UK TV news organisation has to be impartial. They aren't allowed to express views or bias like they are in the US. This is why Sky News is so different than fox news, despite it being owned by the same company.

HA HA HA HA

Watch question time.

Only a select few can ask questions.

You must submit your question before-hand to which it is vetted before getting permission to ask it.

So NO the BBC is not impartial.

[Mike]

I dont care about digital switchover, i dont care about the BBC, i dont watch live TV. Why should i be forced on penalty of fine or imprisonment for something i wont watch or use, America does free over the air TV wether its ad supported or not its free, they even get free HD tv channels.

If Microsoft said you must pay them ?120 a year wether you are going to us Microsoft products or any of the free Operating Systems everyone would be crying about it. Whats the difference?

well its ?120/year to have various ad-free radio/tv channels and a website, the iplayer is paid for by the license fee, also afaik part of the license fee goes to maintaining the broadcasting masts. So if Microsoft want to charge ?120/year or have 33% of your working time on the PC filled with adverts, i think you'll prefer the non-ad based option

[beardedwonder]

BBC channels or not, if you can receive a TV or Radio signal you must purchase a license.

That's not true, you are legally allowed to own a TV or PC (or other device) but as long as you don't use it to watch programming as it's being shown on TV then you don't need a licence.

It's not about being able to receive, it's about actually using.

So obviously VOD services are not covered by the licence and if that and DVDs are the only way you watch TV then there's no need to purchase a licence.

[Richard Hammond]

Ok it was a bad analogy but the fact is i dont watch the bloody BBC channels, i dont go on the website, i dont listen to their radio, why should i be forced to pay ?120 for services i will never use.

[Kushan]

Because by watching ANY TV station, you're using the transmitters that the license pays the upkeep for?

[beardedwonder]

Ok it was a bad analogy but the fact is i dont watch the bloody BBC channels, i dont go on the website, i dont listen to their radio, why should i be forced to pay ?120 for services i will never use.

It's a public service. For value for money the BBC far outshines any other form of TV. There's also the problem that there isn't enough advertising money in the UK to support the BBC through adverts, well without quite a few channels going to the wall.

I think the service is pretty amazing, the TV channels, radio, website, iplayer...

And as somebody whose name is Richard Hammond i find it hard to believe that you don't watch any BBC. It has by far the most popular channels and something for everyone.

[DigitalE]

You pay through subscription and or advertising. The BBC is paid for by the TV license, has no ad breaks / sponsors and still produces world class programs. Its a different business model and keeps the BBC independent and its news channel unbias.

I don't pay a single cent for a TV subscription (cable/satellite), and advertising/commercials are great for when you need to grab some food or use the restroom :p