Warning - If You Don't Have A TV

So, assuming you have a TV at home and pay your licence, you will be paying twice if you decide to access a programme (after the live showing) if you're using iPlayer or something similar. Whereas, if you record it on a DVD, hard drive or video recorder you won't have to pay twice.

 

Yes, I realise that, but you said:-

If someone uses the internet to access a programme how do they distinguish between someone who has got a TV licence and someone who hasn't?

 

Unfortunately, the cost of setting that sort of system up, the admin and, particularly, sorting out the problems that will occur would be prohibitive.

Even if they get the system set up I can see lots of ways around it - and I'm definitely not tech savvy. It doesn't take too much tech to get someone's number - just look at how many email addresses are sold on to the spammers. Licence numbers generators would soon sort that out.

 

Extract from official TV licensing website:-

"If you’re using a mobile device powered solely by its own internal batteries – like a smartphone, tablet or laptop – you will be covered by your home’s TV Licence, wherever you’re using it in the UK and Channel Islands.

However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, or to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat). It’s the law."

If you only watch on demand or catch up:-

"You don’t need a licence if you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer (and you also never watch live TV programmes on any channel, including on iPlayer). You also don’t need a licence if you only ever watch S4C TV on demand or listen to radio on iPlayer.

But you will need a licence if you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use."

 

If they're using iPlayer through your wifi then they're OK.

You're still covered by your licence as long as you don't plug into the mains in their house.

I can't think of what the unthinkable might be

But to use your smart phone, iPad, etc. outside on the street is still legal if you have paid for a licence.

So you're safe from the Thought Police and we don't have to plan a visiting regime for you being in the Clink.

 

That's what they say!

You can be plugged into the mains at your own address without any penalty but if you are plugged into the mains at a house without a licence then you are committing an offence.

Using your devices not plugged in is covered by your own licence.

Quote:-

"Typically, one TV Licence held by you will allow use of TV equipment at the property listed on the licence by you, your family or any person working at or visiting there.

However, your TV Licence will not cover any separate parts of your premises which are exclusively occupied by others such as tenants, lodgers and paying guests. Any such people who use TV equipment in these areas will need to buy their own TV Licence."