just to clarify on the youtube watching. i can still watch youtube vidoes of fox news or sky news but they have be not be broadcasting live? so once its broadcasted live and finished i can watch a video link of it in say 10 minutes or immediatly after and it be fine?
BlackBeltBarrister, a really excellent, comprehensive presentation. Please tell me your views on aerial and satellite connector cables. It's my strong belief they should be removed when cancelling so as not provide circumstance evidence of live viewing, should TVL by any means gain access to your home. I'd be extremely interested to have your opinion on this. Thank you very much in advance.
Suppose that Sky News is broadcasting live on UA-cam, from 6-7pm. I open the video at 6:30 pm, whilst they are still live broadcasting. I have the option of watching it live, but I rewind the video to the beginning, and watch the entire one hour show on half hour delay, never having received more than a trivial amount live (before I had time to press 0 to start it from the beginning). Does this act require a TV license? 😇 What if I watch CNN (US news) on UA-cam, fully live, whilst I'm in the UK?
I cancelled my TV license a year ago and don't miss live TV at all. I do most of my viewing here on UA-cam watching interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video 👍
Good choice. My tv license letters threatening me with legal action and home visits go straight in the bin. Not watched TV for over 7 years and counting and don’t miss it at all!
I’ve lived in my own home for over 35 years and never ever had a tv licence. Their threatening Letters used to go in the bin but now I have a shredder and paper block maker and I fire these in my wood burner.
Wait, wait, wait, you mean to tell me that you have to have a license to watch tv!? For real!? I almost gave up tv here in the states because of cable cost. What's on tv in the first place isn't that good. Change the characters an you note you've seen this script many times before. They forgot how to entertain us long ago. Pay them? Someone's crazy, I don't know who and not just in England.
Not had a licence since 1999. I am in no contract with them so there is no need for them to know my personal details. All letters go in the paper collection cabinet to help keep me warm at winter on the log fire. Thank you BBC.
I laugh at the licence people and tell them to come and visit as I will have the man arrested, then lay down the actual law, right law and they have backed off. It is illegal to send threatening letters through the post, because that constitutes monies with menaces, also harrasment, and what is more because the BBC licence goes to one BBC it is a monopoly, and monopolies are illegal in this country, and what is more the licence fee is what is known as bad law, that providing a service does not come under criminal law but civil, for goods and services, and as such you must contract for a service, which if you used the BBC you would have to contract with them, a fee for watching their broadcasts. I could go on
@@G58 Your internet connected TV or other devices are telling on you. To build a case the DVLA collect months of Number Plate Recognition Camera evidence before they pounce on owners of untaxed vehicles.
Not had a licence for over 12 years it just didn't make sense to us as we worked long hrs & the TV wasn't used, add in reading more UA-cam & gaming we've not missed much.
I am a manager for a housing association and many residents argue that they do not require a licence over the age of 75, they will not accept that they must be in reciept of Pension Credit to have the benefit of a free licence. You have helped me to understand this a little better and I thank you. I will now share your link with them. Thank you.
Indyref did it for me. I'm in N.Ireland and got to sit n watch national news(that's meant to be the same all over) while on the phone to my sister in Glasgow hearing her describe a totally different broadcast 😂
all news sources are biased. you can't report the news without some level of bias. The BBC is one of the least worst however. Their reporting on brexit was very accurate and impartial, it's just that brexiters don't really like facts or truth.
I did not renew my licence this year. A couple of days ago i had a man come to my door to ask me why. He was very nice and only asked pertinent questions. I am expecting another visit from bad cop soon lol. I do not watch television any more, let alone BBC television.
@@darrenhirst9900 When I was wee my mum got harrassed by someone come to investigate. They tried to force themselves inside when they had no right or reason and left her really upset. She was pregnant for goodness sake!!!
@@happyllama1160 I suspect they get aggressive due to a bonus. That's no way to treat a lady like your mom. Trouble is these people aren't human when they do that.
Love the way the licence shows itself as antiquated. If a student watches TV on their phone (and there is a licence at their main home) then that's legal until they plug in their charger.... you couldn't make it up!
I ceased buying a TV licence in 2006 and don't miss live TV at all. A massive saving of over £2,000 so far. Another reason for stopping is my protest at ridiculous salaries to presenters, and more recently, the use of offensive language on entertainment programs broadcast at 1830, weekdays on Radio 4. Occasional hotel stays and looking through a TV magazine, allowed me to confirm my view! I only view items on UA-cam, or similar free to view internet based content, and I buy DVD videos 10 for £1 from charity shops or occasional sets from online suppliers (DVDs don't get erased). I watch my choice of interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video.
I had a licence when I qualified for a free one, never watched TV and haven't renewed, so the letters have started to arrive. I ignore them just to be annoying, I don't take kindly to being threatened.
It's when they send the goons round to threaten to force entry into your home to check the house is the best, if you think you can get past me and my 4 dogs your welcome to try, that's when they phone the police and cry about being threatened. Oh the irony
I bought a 55 inch telly. I use it as a monitor for my PC and don’t watch live TV of any kind. I’m happy not having to pay my telly license and it has had 0 impact on what I watch. It’s great for streaming services
Got rid of my licence in January and just use UA-cam , Amazon and Netflix . Don’t watch any live tv and don’t miss it at all. The BBC needs to be either a commercial or a subscription channel . This is an unfair tax especially on the elderly (who the BBC don’t like providing for) and the poorer members of society . In this day and age it needs to be abolished and the more people who get rid of their licence will make that day come sooner or later .
I haven’t had live tv in years and I can’t stand the bbc. I had a letter one day from the tv licensing saying I had threatened and been verbally abusive to their license checker. I called them up and they demanded my name, I said they could call me Ms The Occupier as per the letter. They asked for the address and I gave it. I was told off harshly for abusing and threatening their employee. I asked for the date and time of the visit as I had full cctv recording all around the property which included 2 cameras at the front of the property, and I would like the date and time to pull up the footage to prove he was in fact a liar as no such altercation took place and I assumed I was out as I have never had such visit and I would like to prove it. She hung up and I heard nothing after that.
Not bought a licence for over 10 years. I get a letter every few years and always reply. This video has given me great information should I get a knock at the door.
My household hasn't had a TV licence for 28 years and never will pay for one. You simply ignore their begging letters and slam the door the face of any goon you inadvertently open it to. Never communicate with them making your property an information blackhole and you leave them powerless to do anything.
i invite them in and insist they check every room in the house: they get a bit twitchy when you put your hand lightly in the middle of their back, and encourage them towards the bedroom. insist they check the garage also; and when you persuade them they need to check the cellar, say: "oh do be careful on the stairs, we don't want you having a nasty accident or anything do we?" trouble is - all i get these days is letters..........
It used to be that if you refused to let them in you automatically was deemed as having no license taken to court and as far as I can remember I wasn’t even summoned to attend and only knew when I got the fine through the post , this happened twice to me over the years first time was exactly as described back in 1981 or 82 . How I wish there was some way I could get compensated as obviously this is now deemed be wrong by the courts and the people the bbc employ to knock on doors and put it in to motion 😡
@@Genghis-Khan121 I had a different experience. At one stage in the 1980s I went without a TV for about eight years. I let TVL that I no longer had a TV. As far as I am aware I only had one visit. I happened to be polishing my shoes while sitting on my doorstep. It’s a long time ago so I cannot swear to the actual details but basically it went so. He said why he had called. I replied that I had had not owned a TV for years. We exchanged pleasantries & he left. Apart from the odd card I heard no more. I am not sure that I fully believe your story.
Here's a trivial point: Radio signals broadcast from a transmitter will take around .5 seconds to arrive at the TV receiver. Add to that digital delay and network latency, particulary on the internet and it could be as much as 2-3 seconds. Therefore their is a significant time lapse between the signal broadcast and it reaching the viewer. Add to that the fact that some spontaneous live programs have a 4 second delay built in to allow the broadcasters to censor expletives etc. What is the difference between that small delay and watching the programme the next day?
Great video thank you 👍 I canceled my licence legally by watching videos and listening to advice right here on you tube. I've been licence free and I've not missed watching repeats, the same boring old nonsense on TV one little bit. I watch everything on catchup and it's the best thing ever. Wish I would have done this years ago
I strongly recommend going online and telling TV licensing you don't need one. In nearly 4yrs I've only heard from them twice, once to confirm the status, and a reminder about 2yrs after to which I simply confirmed nothing had changed. Incidentally I had to buy 2 new TV's earlier this year (bedroom TV went bang, and I wanted a TV worthy of a PS5) and have been expecting to hear something ever since, but (touch wood) I ain't heard a thing from them. Not that I'd let them through the door, both TV's are connected to power, ethernet, HDMI sources and external audio and there are no aerials/aerial cables whatsoever on the premises, so it's not that I've anything to hide, but if they want to come in and check they'll have to be carrying a warrant...
That's what I did last year, applied for a no licence needed declaration, lasts for 2 years, not heard anything since. If you are never going to watch Actual live TV, you could just buy a large computer monitor, or for a bigger size screen, something called an interactive whiteboard, which are intended for use in schools or business or commercial settings as information display screens, they are basically a TV but without a built in tuner or smart functions, But classed a a monitor, so wouldn't officially need a Licence, only minor drawback is with some of these models, you might need a separate sound system, but that's easy done with a sound bar or a Bluetooth speaker system.
That it took you 10 minutes to explain the complexities of what can and cannot be watched should make the case for the scrapping of the TV licence and a subscription service to replace it.
What has streaming live content from a foreign company got to do with the BBC or licencing authority? It's criminal that this is included in the legislation.
@@tinkerno11 Gary Lineker Zoe Ball and Jeremy Vine are worth the licence fee alone for all the fantastic work they do on the BBC . i WOULD WILLINGLY PAY £2000 FOR MY LICENCE AND SELL MY HOUSE AND ALL MY POSSESSSIONS. THE BBC IS FAB!!! GIVE THEM ALL A HUGE WAGE RISE!!
I don’t watch tv. Haven’t done so for a couple of years. Wondered why I was paying for something I wasn’t using so decided to not pay any more. I only watch YT, netflix and amazon tv and blurays.
@@BlackBeltBarrister very confusing, as the 'installing' part implies you need a tv licence even for a computer as its 'capable of receiving tv' ,if internet connected, even if you dont use it for tv..! maybe they need to reword the law! someone has said in comment on another video he was told by a tv licencing 'goon' he needs a tv licence for his laptop as its 'capable' of tv , regardless of whether its actually used for tv, as it 'could' be used for it, in other words they're assuming your guilty first!
@@BlackBeltBarrister what if you have a licence,,and you phone up and cancel!!surely they have your name? especially if you pay for the licence by direct debit, what would be the procedure then?.
In 1999, NZ was paying $110 for tv license but there was a campaign questioning the validity also to prove whether broadcasting fee was a tax & the legality of applying goods & services tax to it (12.5% tax at the time). Lo and behold, Parliament then scrapped it in 1999.
Loose these crooks ASAP! Just cancel your d/d now, get your defund & never cross paths again, simple as that! This extortion is just another prime example of our corrupt system, the entire system!!!
Never paid it in years as it is a service only system, and I have never paid for to be served by the Bent Broadcasting Clowns, though respect others fear and pay up. Having actually laid the law of goods and services down to the license people they have left me alone, and I wonder why?
I stopped paying my license 12 months ago. I don't watch TV and haven't for many years. Since then I have received a letter every 2-3 weeks with red stamps and legalese all over them and a handful of incredibly rude, threatening calls from TV licensing collections service. I was absolutely astounded at just how aggressive they are. They really, really, need to moderate their collection services.
Our experience has been totally different. They were as good as gold when the wife phoned to say we had removed the TV from our second home. She checked about half an hour later to find a refund in the account. Not heard thing from them since. They did say thy will check with us after two years to see if circumstances had changed.
If you accidentally open door to them they tell you that you have the right to remain silent and anything you do say will be taken down and used as evidence!
@@davecooper3238 they've said it to me twice 🥺 I think maybe you have to admit it 1st? Two different addresses I've had it at. I'm proper soft tho, once I've opened door I don't have the balls to tell them to go away or lie.
Can you explain why you have to opt out if you dont need a TV licence? Having a TV in the house should not be a reason for a requirement for a TV licence; the analogy is to possess a knife does not mean you will use it for unlawful purpose (e.g. kill).
My late Mum had a TV licence but after her death, I had no need for it and not used it. They harashed me to fill in No Licence Claim 2 years ago and noe expired. I dont understand the legal basis for opting out since it is a service one has a freedom to subscribe and I doubt whether legislations say default position of opt in. Please can you clarify. Thanks. God Bless.
So that's when the radio licence was scrapped. I'd been wondering for years. I cancelled my TV licence in March as I don't agree with the outdated system.
Agreed. It's about time the BBC funded itself with advertising or subscription. Want to watch BBC, pay for it. Don't want to, don't pay for it. I think it's particularly cheeky to include foreign TV in the requirements. Do they support foreign channels? No.
@@ianl1052 i think its even worse when when they use the UK funds to air shows abroad, you don't need a licence to watch BBC iPlayer from outside the uk
@@ryanb915 I think it's worse still when they introduce a subscription based streaming service and broadcast exclusive content on it eg Spitting Image on Britbox. Absolutely disgusting that they're ripping us off twice.
@@ryanb915 The shows they air abroad would be paid for by the broadcast company, this contributes to the bbc funding, likewise foreign programs shown on the bbc are paid for by the bbc/license payer.
The TV license is a useful example to reference when explaining the concept of fascism to someone. TV's are capable of receiving SKY channels, but we are not forced to pay their charges, their broadcasts are encrypted unlike those of the BBC.......Why aren't the BBC held to account in the same way, why aren't they required to encrypt their services? The simple answer is that the corporation would collapse overnight.
Just wish they'd clarify something about the 2027 review. There has been a petition asking for a public vote (referendum?) on how the BBC should be funded. The last one was in 2015 prior to the 2016 review, and 60% of the 190K+ respondents said they had no problem with the licence model. I don't believe for one second that this would be the case today, never mind in 2025-6. Although there has been a statement about the government looking into the way the BBC is funded prior to the 2027 review, absolutely no mention has been made about once again asking the population their opinion. I believe this is absolutely essential. The licence fee model is outdated, having lasted from the beginning of TV in this country. No programme today stands a chance of reaching the same number of viewers that programmes from then 70's did as there were virtually no channels operating then compared to the channels available now. Amazon, Netflix, and others have demonstrated the viability of the subscription model. It's time the BBC did the same and failed or succeeded on the strength of their programmes, not on 'free' money whatever they put out garnered by legislation.
If you listen to a radio in public or a work place you need other licences. Including public performance licence. Be careful local councils are fining daily for that one.
Yes, a PRS or PPL, officially if a radio is being used anywhere, where it can be heard by people other than yourself you need those licences, my old work place used to have a PRS licence, because we could have radios on, but eventually they banned us from using radios at work, so they didn't have to pay the fee! It's one of those daft rules that most people ignore, as for example if you were listening to the radio on the beach or in your car & other people could hear it, you would officially need a PRS licence!
I seem to remember a while back that when buying a TV in a shop, they would want your address details I think it was so they could notify TV Licensing. This doesn't happen now though, presumably because back then, outside of gaming, there wasn't much else you could do with a TV other than watch live content as streaming didn't exist
Alas, if you buy a TV receiver, then your details are passed to the TV licensing agency, and you will be asked promptly to buy a TV license, then pestered continually thereafter to get one or be prosecuted. Nothing has changed on that front; they are as aggressive as ever.
Someone used my address to "buy" a tv. They actually stole it as they used false name and address and didn't pay. I was hassled by tv licencing and bailiffs for months!!
@@marks-0-0 It may be none of their business, but if you buy online (e.g. Amazon) then the seller has your details and will pass them on to the UK TV licensing agency. Even if you tell them that you do not need a licence, and ask them to stop sending demands for payment, they make it clear that they will keep on asking forever, just to confirm that you still do not need a licence.
18 months ago I gave up my licence by filling in the BBC online declaration. Easy to do; they cancelled my monthly direct debit and refunded for the part-month remaining. I've had 1 visit, just before Covid hit, when I was asked if I knew I didn't have a licence. I replied "yes, thanks" and closed my door before he got to say anything else. Simples 😁 Just to add, I do not watch broadcast channels any more, have no interest in doing so, and I'm using the money saved to pay for UA-cam Premium instead. Happy days 👍🤗
@@patrickblue3813 Here is my perspective. Previously, about the only live TV I used to watch was the 6 pm news on BBC. Most of my viewing has always been on UA-cam, but with an increasing deluge of ads. It therefore made sense to me to ditch the TV licence and sign up for UA-cam Premium. Adblocker works ok on my desktop PC, but it's no good for Android and Smart TVs. Too much messing about with 3rd party browsers, and VPN's aren't what the hype will tell you. At least I know that some of my YT subs go to the creators.
I love this, BUT at what point does "Not receiving LIVE TV become a legal point?... watching 10 mins or 30 mins or an hour on BBC iPlayer? always bothered me, or would get rid! I hate most of what BBC broadcast to be fair... it is confusing for a reason, to fund the TV licence. Great Video.
Can't wait for part 2. I don't watch TV, and I don't have license - seems fair to me. But I have had some run ins with the licensing 'officers'.... I'll see part 2 before any further comment :) . Great video.
Although they are described as "enforcement officers", they do not possess any official powers of arrest and cannot enter homes or search property without permission. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/legal-loophole-being-used-by-hundreds-to-keep-tv-licensing-from-their-door-34629246.html
Only time I fell fowl to TV licensing was when I thought "hey, TV is there but I use it as a monitor and it doesn't receive anything so sure, come on in to confirm and we're all good". Except the form I signed off on that clearly stated my use case as "TV used as computer monitor" miraculously changed to say that the agent saw it running BBC channels! Oh and damn those faulty body cams, so inconvenient! £400 fine later that was held up in court and lesson learned, TV licensing show up at the door = "nope, you're not coming in!" I still get letters but they've gone from being addressed to me to "to the occupant". Haven't had terrestrial, sat or cable TV for years and really don't miss it. As for on demand, Prime, Netflix, Twitch and UA-cam does me just fine.
No, they make it complicated because there are lots of things to consider. If they just said "You need a license if you own a TV", people who only use their TV for gaming and DVDs would complain. Then TV on the internet became a thing. That means that any computer, tablet or even mobile phone can be used to watch TV, so now the rules have to cover those, too.
@@gytosas What are you talking about? I'm not afraid of anything, TV-license-wise. I've not had one for fifteen years or more. I'm just explaining that the rules are complicated because the concept of TV is complicated, these days, as a rebuttal to the claim that the rules are complicated just to confuse people.
I noticed over 15 years ago I was spending most of my time in front of a TV thumbing through channels for something watchable and then, when I did choose a program, I would generally doze off and fall asleep within 15-20 minutes. So simply did not replace my TV when it broke down. If I needed something to help me sleep then it would be cheaper to ask my doctor for some sleeping pills.
I actually like the BBC and am not against the licence as such...what I do detest is the rudeness of the letters from capita (at one point I lived in two places but only had a tv in one of them, so the unlicensed property got deluged with threatening letters about me being a criminal and such) that I eventually stopped my licence and just watched I player, removing the "implied right of access" for both properties to avoid the evil mail. Every other year i would but a licence to clear my concience about not paying for the BBC services i was using, but that just started the letters all over again, so aerial unplugged permanently and extreme care taken not to watch any bbc content accidentally on the internet. Sorry BBC I tried to support you but those scumbags at Capita spoiled all that. Found I was so out of watching live TV, that I didnt even watch it on the years that I bought the licence. Bring in a cheaper licence for iplayer only and I might reconsider so long as Capita weren't involved.
The easiest way is get rid of your Tv. All it does is programme people to see the world the way the system want you to see it. Not had a TV for over 15 years, and feel so much better
Not had a TV (or licence) for over 11 years. Don't miss it. Holiday cottage TVs sit unused, when in a hotel for work I have occasionally turned it on, staggering how dull and inflexible it is, and on the 'cable/satellite' the synchronised adds are incredibly annoying.
To get caught you need to do so many things: talk to them invite them in incriminate yourself What you should do to save time and effort - just close the f-ing door! job done
One thing many people don't realise, is that the BBC isn't solely funded by the licence fee. BBC Worldwide is a commercial service, they also own the majority share in UKTV, the commercial TV company that runs channels such as DAVE. On top of that they get a hell of a lot of funding from product placement. I'm sure there are other sources I've missed out, but the fact is, the BBC are a commercial company, they earn money from advertising, a lot of it.
The idea that you have to pay the BBC to receive broadcast content that is in no way produced or disseminated with the aid of the BBC is entirely like having to pay Tesco for the groceries you buy from Aldi.
I can understand it in the days when the tv/radio broadcast network was the only means of transmitting emergency information but not so much nowadays. What's more ridiculous is that one can't legally watch a live broadcast, over the internet from another country without a UK licence. I hate the idea of having to tell them that I don't watch live TV. Similar to your analogy, I don't need to write to BMW informing them that I don't have one of their cars.
iPlayer exceptions There are some exceptions when you won't need a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer. These include the following. • You only use a battery powered device to watch live TV or catch up services. • You have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains to receive TV. • Your permanent address is your parents' house. • Your parents have a TV licence. Most of these exceptions can apply to students. However, you won't need a TV licence to watch a battery powered device. This rule was brought in to stop people needing a separate licence to watch TV when away from home. For example, when using a battery-powered hand held TV on holiday. However, nowadays there are a number of devices with batteries that can access the TV, including tablets and phones.
Originally it was to fund the development of the broadcast service after the war. It's still meant to fund the service but considering there are other options now that weren't right after ww2, it's an idiotically outdated way of doing things.
We should have the option to tell our TV Supplier eg Virgin Media to turn off ALL BBC Programs. Or the TV Supplier should charge us ALL the cost of a TV Licence in our Bills, Job Sorted.
of course there is a way... look for tommy robinson explanation and steps : How to legally cancel your Tv Licence without being fined : ua-cam.com/video/4RW_Ky9Wj-Q/v-deo.html
hello mate just a little question i dont have a tv so obviously dont need a licence dont ever watch bbc however i value my privacy so really dont want to be giving bbc my details do i have to give em my details to tell them that i dont want to do business with them many thanxs
BBC changing the rules however it suits them. Is completely absurd asking from people who pay for the likes of Virgin TV to pay for TV license as well. No wonder so many people don't bother paying it.
The tv licence law is totally pointless and 1 sided, they say you “have to” pay a tv licence to watch ANY live tv, no matter the channel, but all funds go to the BBC!!?? Which is just like saying If I only shop at tescos, sainsburys will come knocking at my door and say “hey you bought food”, you need to pay us for it!! Total BS!!!
@@MrAndroidData I got it. I just continued your point where they don't get to say “hey you bought food” because you never bothered to open the door or if you did you just slam it in their face.
It's interesting on the "Watching live tv on the internet". I can state as fact that "broadcast" is impossible from UA-cam. It's unicast. Also, the signal is delayed, sometimes by several minutes, or you can simple rewind the live stream and watch it non-live. I don't watch any of these things, but I'm not sure how well my argument would hold up if I did. If they are focusing on the word "broadcast", then I can prove my watching UA-cam is not a broadcast, it is a unicast stream.
After listening to your very interesting video I'm pretty sure that I was already reasonably up to speed on the legal situation regarding TV licensing. It strikes me that unless you were to allow a Capita/BBC representative/sales agent into your home and invite him or her to view a live broadcast on your own TV it would appear almost impossible to secure a conviction for license contravention. I'm guessing that the largest number of convictions/license sales are generated by people admitting to said transgression. I think that the license fee is becoming unenforceable in the real world. While I do enjoy a few drama programmes produced by the BBC I don't, otherwise believe that the rest of BBC programming represents value for money compounded by, what I perceive as a lack of impartiality in current affairs scheduling. I do enjoy R4 and watch a little BBC 4 at my parents home but nothing justifying the fee. I just see the only viable route for the BBC as flexible subscription. But I digress 🙂
For a TV it would be very hard for them to provide evidence unless you let them into your home. For computers and mobiles though it would be possible for BBC iPlayer to log the fact that you have watched it via their website which would constitute evidence. It would be harder for the BBC/Capita to prove that you have watched another TV channel live via computer or mobile, but not impossible.
@@EricTViking But I would imagine they'd need a warrant to examine any equipment and I'm not sure the data protection act would allow them to use things such as IP addresses to identify use. Then there are VPNs. You make an interesting point but I think it would be difficult without a personal admission.
People can also be successfully prosecuted for watching Live TV even if they do not watch live TV but have a TV in their property with a Aerial / Satellite box plugged into the TV You can own as many TV's as You like, could even have a 1000 or more in your property and BBC / TVL cannot do a thing about it as long as none of those TV's have Aerials or satellite boxes plugged into them I stopped watching live TV 15 - 20 years ago but still have a TV for using as a monitor / watching netflix / playing games consoles on Always tell them they are not welcome at your property when they turn up knocking on your door, they have zero legals rights of entry into your property unless they have a warrant off a judge But to get that warrant they need evidence and to get that evidence they need to enter your property, so it is a catch 22 for them They have been known to peer through peoples windows (something they are not supposed to be doing) and the like to try get a warrant force them people to buy a licence, the goon's they send out cannot be trusted in the slightest
@@patrickblue3813 I believe that they have to prove that you were watching a live TV broadcast which would indeed require them to be standing in the room with you and to check the receiving equipment is actually connected. This would never happen as my home stands in it's own grounds and has comprehensive CCTV cover. Peeking through windows could, I imagine, be seen as an offence in itself and could be rightly interpreted as a criminal 'casing' your property prior to a potential burglary which in itself is an interesting position. If children live at the property it might be seen in an even darker light 😉 From what I understand Capita's sales agents tent to victimise vulnerable people which is perhaps why I've never had a visit from them. Oddly enough I live in a listed building in a well to do area and it seems after watching videos they tend to go for easier targets. One thing that does annoy me is the police acting as corrupt enforcers, with no idea that THEY are on the wrong side of the law, not the home owner. All moot points but important to discuss as I do stream TV and watch dvds... yes, I'm that old fashioned lol.
@@PurityVendetta As long as there is a aerial inserted into a TV they do not have to prove you was watching live TV, having a TV aerial inserted is classed as the TV as being Installed (able to receive live TV broadcasts) With no Aerial inserted it is classed just as a monitor / not being installed I know this from experience, I made the mistake of letting them into my property back before I knew the law about TV inspectors aka Goons, TV was off at the time I thought (wrongly) that because I never watched live TV and just used the TV as a monitor for pc and games consoles / dvd's that I was in the clear, the TV still had an aerial inserted as back when I used to watch live TV I left the aerial inserted into it Long story short few months later I got a court date to go court for TV licence It is because of that why I brushed up on the law concerning the TV licence and why I post in comments section in YT so others do not make the same mistake They can successfully prosecute anyone that has an Aerial inserted into a TV, whether they watch live TV or not and / or whether the Goon sees live TV being watched does not matter Yes the goons have been known to peek through windows which they should not do and is against the law also Since then every time a goon has turned up on my door I have always told them to go forth and multiply (just not in those exact words lol) as they have zero legal rights of entry into your property without a warrant off a judge and also because I won't let anyone try and harass me and try and extort money out of me, which is what the goons and BBC/TVL do
Regarding the myth, a problem I have commonly found over the years is that when I bought a TV , VCR or DVD recorder, or indeed anything that could be used to receive a TV signal (e.g. a device that would take a signal from an analogue camcorder and digitise it then transfer the digital data to a computer via USB which was included because it could be used to take input from a set-top box that received a digital TV signal and converted it to an analogue TV signal), the retailer would demand my name and address. Their argument was that they were required by law to do this as they had to provide those details to TV Licensing so they could ensure I had a license. My response each time was to keep saying “No, I don’t want to be added to your marketing database or mailing list” as invariably if I did give them my address I’d be getting mailings off them for years. From your description it sounds like they were talking a load of rubbish. I could maybe understand back in the 1970s when all you could do with a TV was watch TV, but now there are other things such as connect to a games console, DVD/BluRay player or to a computer as a monitor. This has happened recently enough that when the inevitable junk mail arrived my complaint was under the GDPR, not DPA.
Wow r people still watching the TV? Omg that explains the mass hypnosis of the population in the last year- stopped watching that embarrassing 😳 box 20 years ago😊💯
Some excellent advice on this channel, and this video clearly shows what an out dated and what an utter con the bbc tv license is, every year it increases, just to watch repeats and other associated rubbish, and when I did last watch bbc and most other channels on tv it was nothing more than repeats and soap operas, which I have no interest in, not watched it since 2015/6 What I find is the biggest con is, If you are watching live tv from Europe, i:e NOT broadcast from the UK you still need a bbc license... just ridiculous. I stream all the tv and films I watch off a sharing/ streaming site, or UA-cam, i:e NOT broadcast live.
If you go to jail you can watch TV without a a licence for free Be a good law abiding citizen and you get robbed for your hard earned money by the BBC to watch TV It's a joke
Serious consideration for thought, we rarely watch BBC anyway, so why the hell are we paying for something that we rarely watch, also why does the rest of the world get it for free? I'm seriously looking into going license free!.
@@sizzler2462 Refer to Mark Stelling’s original post. He wrote about rarely watching the BBC so may go license free. He did not say anything about not watching other live TV.
Thanks but the BBC can do one, I've never paid them a penny and never will. Best way to deal with them is to just ignore the letters and shut the door on them if any of their goons turn up at your home there is nothing they can do.
Part 2: ua-cam.com/video/i_bqIbVT6a0/v-deo.html
Thanks, boss!
thank you for the videos. i in no way want to support the BBC after all the scandal and abuse of the innocent.
just to clarify on the youtube watching. i can still watch youtube vidoes of fox news or sky news but they have be not be broadcasting live? so once its broadcasted live and finished i can watch a video link of it in say 10 minutes or immediatly after and it be fine?
BlackBeltBarrister, a really excellent, comprehensive presentation. Please tell me your views on aerial and satellite connector cables. It's my strong belief they should be removed when cancelling so as not provide circumstance evidence of live viewing, should TVL by any means gain access to your home. I'd be extremely interested to have your opinion on this. Thank you very much in advance.
Suppose that Sky News is broadcasting live on UA-cam, from 6-7pm. I open the video at 6:30 pm, whilst they are still live broadcasting. I have the option of watching it live, but I rewind the video to the beginning, and watch the entire one hour show on half hour delay, never having received more than a trivial amount live (before I had time to press 0 to start it from the beginning). Does this act require a TV license? 😇
What if I watch CNN (US news) on UA-cam, fully live, whilst I'm in the UK?
I cancelled my TV license a year ago and don't miss live TV at all. I do most of my viewing here on UA-cam watching interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video 👍
Good choice. My tv license letters threatening me with legal action and home visits go straight in the bin. Not watched TV for over 7 years and counting and don’t miss it at all!
I’ve lived in my own home for over 35 years and never ever had a tv licence.
Their threatening Letters used to go in the bin but now I have a shredder and paper block maker and I fire these in my wood burner.
Who still watches live tv nowadays?? Its been more than 12 years for me since i quit that garbish
Wait, wait, wait, you mean to tell me that you have to have a license to watch tv!? For real!? I almost gave up tv here in the states because of cable cost. What's on tv in the first place isn't that good. Change the characters an you note you've seen this script many times before. They forgot how to entertain us long ago. Pay them? Someone's crazy, I don't know who and not just in England.
Ditto
Not had a licence since 1999. I am in no contract with them so there is no need for them to know my personal details. All letters go in the paper collection cabinet to help keep me warm at winter on the log fire. Thank you BBC.
I laugh at the licence people and tell them to come and visit as I will have the man arrested, then lay down the actual law, right law and they have backed off. It is illegal to send threatening letters through the post, because that constitutes monies with menaces, also harrasment, and what is more because the BBC licence goes to one BBC it is a monopoly, and monopolies are illegal in this country, and what is more the licence fee is what is known as bad law, that providing a service does not come under criminal law but civil, for goods and services, and as such you must contract for a service, which if you used the BBC you would have to contract with them, a fee for watching their broadcasts. I could go on
@@collincovid6950 BBB just explained the situation to you. Do you have a more comprehensive understanding of the law or are just making it up.
@@G58 Your internet connected TV or other devices are telling on you. To build a case the DVLA collect months of Number Plate Recognition Camera evidence before they pounce on owners of untaxed vehicles.
@@collincovid6950 Bob on!
@@barriewilliams4526 Actually Bob is spot on
Not had a licence for over 12 years it just didn't make sense to us as we worked long hrs & the TV wasn't used, add in reading more UA-cam & gaming we've not missed much.
The BBC charging you for a TV licence is like Sainburys charging you each year even if you only ever shop at Tesco, ASDA or Waitrose. It must go.
The Costco of tv
no their not. They don't know where I live what my name is what language I speak and even if I'm a real person or a robot typing this silly comment..
Or if Warburton’s charged you for owning a toaster.
cancelled two years ago. Will NEVER pay the anti British broadcasting company a penny again.
I am a manager for a housing association and many residents argue that they do not require a licence over the age of 75, they will not accept that they must be in reciept of Pension Credit to have the benefit of a free licence. You have helped me to understand this a little better and I thank you. I will now share your link with them. Thank you.
I was OK'ish with TV licences until Brexit and 2 general elections. Then I saw how biased the bbc really is.
Same here!
Indyref did it for me. I'm in N.Ireland and got to sit n watch national news(that's meant to be the same all over) while on the phone to my sister in Glasgow hearing her describe a totally different broadcast 😂
Me too. Haven't watched msm since before last election.
Yep….Even if you are a remoaner you can’t deny the overt, egregious anti-Brexit biased reporting and panel shows.
all news sources are biased. you can't report the news without some level of bias. The BBC is one of the least worst however. Their reporting on brexit was very accurate and impartial, it's just that brexiters don't really like facts or truth.
I did not renew my licence this year. A couple of days ago i had a man come to my door to ask me why. He was very nice and only asked pertinent questions. I am expecting another visit from bad cop soon lol. I do not watch television any more, let alone BBC television.
Send an email removing their implied right of access. You will still get hate mail from them.
@@darrenhirst9900 What would i light my BBQ with if they stopped sending letters? :-)
@@paulshort1027 Forget what I said and enjoy your many many many BBQ's. 🤣
@@darrenhirst9900 When I was wee my mum got harrassed by someone come to investigate. They tried to force themselves inside when they had no right or reason and left her really upset. She was pregnant for goodness sake!!!
@@happyllama1160 I suspect they get aggressive due to a bonus.
That's no way to treat a lady like your mom.
Trouble is these people aren't human when they do that.
Love the way the licence shows itself as antiquated. If a student watches TV on their phone (and there is a licence at their main home) then that's legal until they plug in their charger.... you couldn't make it up!
Utter lunacy! Just cancel!
I ceased buying a TV licence in 2006 and don't miss live TV at all. A massive saving of over £2,000 so far. Another reason for stopping is my protest at ridiculous salaries to presenters, and more recently, the use of offensive language on entertainment programs broadcast at 1830, weekdays on Radio 4. Occasional hotel stays and looking through a TV magazine, allowed me to confirm my view! I only view items on UA-cam, or similar free to view internet based content, and I buy DVD videos 10 for £1 from charity shops or occasional sets from online suppliers (DVDs don't get erased). I watch my choice of interesting channels such as this. Thanks for another great video.
I had a licence when I qualified for a free one, never watched TV and haven't renewed, so the letters have started to arrive.
I ignore them just to be annoying, I don't take kindly to being threatened.
Quite right. Just ignore them. The bin is the best place!
Same here. I was in Congatonga in 1944. They don't frighten me with their threatograms 🤣
To be fair I try to save them up and use them as firelighters in winter. Come on BBC, I need more illegal threats and harassment!
It's when they send the goons round to threaten to force entry into your home to check the house is the best, if you think you can get past me and my 4 dogs your welcome to try, that's when they phone the police and cry about being threatened. Oh the irony
You can declare NO LICENCE NEEDED on their website, and the letters will stop for 2 yrs, after 2 yrs declare again.
I bought a 55 inch telly. I use it as a monitor for my PC and don’t watch live TV of any kind. I’m happy not having to pay my telly license and it has had 0 impact on what I watch. It’s great for streaming services
You are offering a marvellous service to the public my friend and the time and effort your putting in is, I'm sure, much appreciated. Thank you!
Got rid of my licence in January and just use UA-cam , Amazon and Netflix . Don’t watch any live tv and don’t miss it at all. The BBC needs to be either a commercial or a subscription channel . This is an unfair tax especially on the elderly (who the BBC don’t like providing for) and the poorer members of society . In this day and age it needs to be abolished and the more people who get rid of their licence will make that day come sooner or later .
Couldn't agree more.
The government want to what most of Europe do, scrap it & put tax up to pay for the BBC...
I haven’t had live tv in years and I can’t stand the bbc.
I had a letter one day from the tv licensing saying I had threatened and been verbally abusive to their license checker.
I called them up and they demanded my name, I said they could call me Ms The Occupier as per the letter.
They asked for the address and I gave it.
I was told off harshly for abusing and threatening their employee.
I asked for the date and time of the visit as I had full cctv recording all around the property which included 2 cameras at the front of the property, and I would like the date and time to pull up the footage to prove he was in fact a liar as no such altercation took place and I assumed I was out as I have never had such visit and I would like to prove it.
She hung up and I heard nothing after that.
disgusting accusations. Such a waste of time even if you have the recordings.
Horrid little corporate slaves - nothing more.
Not bought a licence for over 10 years. I get a letter every few years and always reply. This video has given me great information should I get a knock at the door.
My household hasn't had a TV licence for 28 years and never will pay for one. You simply ignore their begging letters and slam the door the face of any goon you inadvertently open it to. Never communicate with them making your property an information blackhole and you leave them powerless to do anything.
first time to completely agree with an arab but well done Sir.
@@gytosas we all have more in common with each other, than differences
i invite them in and insist they check every room in the house: they get a bit twitchy when you put your hand lightly in the middle of their back, and encourage them towards the bedroom. insist they check the garage also; and when you persuade them they need to check the cellar, say: "oh do be careful on the stairs, we don't want you having a nasty accident or anything do we?" trouble is - all i get these days is letters..........
@@gytosas Lmfao!!!!
I cancelled my TV licence but I still continue to watch the TV whenever I like, whichever channels I like, and the iPlayer if I want.
As far as I understand the law you can not be forced to incriminate yourself. You have just done it yourself.
@@davecooper3238 good!
It used to be that if you refused to let them in you automatically was deemed as having no license taken to court and as far as I can remember I wasn’t even summoned to attend and only knew when I got the fine through the post , this happened twice to me over the years first time was exactly as described back in 1981 or 82 . How I wish there was some way I could get compensated as obviously this is now deemed be wrong by the courts and the people the bbc employ to knock on doors and put it in to motion 😡
@@Genghis-Khan121 I had a different experience. At one stage in the 1980s I went without a TV for about eight years. I let TVL that I no longer had a TV. As far as I am aware I only had one visit. I happened to be polishing my shoes while sitting on my doorstep. It’s a long time ago so I cannot swear to the actual details but basically it went so. He said why he had called. I replied that I had had not owned a TV for years. We exchanged pleasantries & he left. Apart from the odd card I heard no more. I am not sure that I fully believe your story.
@@richardmoores Little things please little minds.
The government 'debates' have highlighted how Parliament doesn't really reflect the British public
Very true.
Here's a trivial point: Radio signals broadcast from a transmitter will take around .5 seconds to arrive at the TV receiver. Add to that digital delay and network latency, particulary on the internet and it could be as much as 2-3 seconds. Therefore their is a significant time lapse between the signal broadcast and it reaching the viewer.
Add to that the fact that some spontaneous live programs have a 4 second delay built in to allow the broadcasters to censor expletives etc.
What is the difference between that small delay and watching the programme the next day?
I use a series of mirrors to watch my neighbors telly does that require a license?
🤣
Are the mirrors powered by their own internal batteries?
No, but you may need some smoke! 😂 😂 😂
#lifehack
🤣😂
Great video thank you 👍 I canceled my licence legally by watching videos and listening to advice right here on you tube. I've been licence free and I've not missed watching repeats, the same boring old nonsense on TV one little bit. I watch everything on catchup and it's the best thing ever. Wish I would have done this years ago
I strongly recommend going online and telling TV licensing you don't need one. In nearly 4yrs I've only heard from them twice, once to confirm the status, and a reminder about 2yrs after to which I simply confirmed nothing had changed. Incidentally I had to buy 2 new TV's earlier this year (bedroom TV went bang, and I wanted a TV worthy of a PS5) and have been expecting to hear something ever since, but (touch wood) I ain't heard a thing from them. Not that I'd let them through the door, both TV's are connected to power, ethernet, HDMI sources and external audio and there are no aerials/aerial cables whatsoever on the premises, so it's not that I've anything to hide, but if they want to come in and check they'll have to be carrying a warrant...
That's what I did last year, applied for a no licence needed declaration, lasts for 2 years, not heard anything since.
If you are never going to watch Actual live TV, you could just buy a large computer monitor, or for a bigger size screen, something called an interactive whiteboard, which are intended for use in schools or business or commercial settings as information display screens, they are basically a TV but without a built in tuner or smart functions, But classed a a monitor, so wouldn't officially need a Licence, only minor drawback is with some of these models, you might need a separate sound system, but that's easy done with a sound bar or a Bluetooth speaker system.
That it took you 10 minutes to explain the complexities of what can and cannot be watched should make the case for the scrapping of the TV licence and a subscription service to replace it.
What has streaming live content from a foreign company got to do with the BBC or licencing authority? It's criminal that this is included in the legislation.
IKR! If I watch a sporting event in NA and its not broadcasted by the BBC why the fuck should I give them money.
I have not paid the license for 5 years saving £750 spent it on heating and food.good one thanx
Keep paying so the Lineker can be paid £115k a month to talk about football once a week. I don't think so !
Lineker, Zoe Ball and Jeremy Vine are the main reason why I cancelled my license, received a letter saying me up for a VISIT - bring it on I say!
@@tinkerno11 Gary Lineker Zoe Ball and Jeremy Vine are worth the licence fee alone for all the fantastic work they do on the BBC . i WOULD WILLINGLY PAY £2000 FOR MY LICENCE AND SELL MY HOUSE AND ALL MY POSSESSSIONS. THE BBC IS FAB!!! GIVE THEM ALL A HUGE WAGE RISE!!
Not just useless commentators but useless others, overpaid and underwhelming. I don’t watch BBC or record or iPlayer (whats that?)
I don’t watch tv. Haven’t done so for a couple of years. Wondered why I was paying for something I wasn’t using so decided to not pay any more. I only watch YT, netflix and amazon tv and blurays.
I have never ever paid for a license to watch TV. Its thats simple.
good man
Battenberg euro fighters have been scrambled and are en route to your home address. Expect a hellfire with a court summons lodged within.
I've bought two in thirty years. Once when I got caught and once when I bought a new TV.
I bet you never pad for a licence, either...
Snap!
LICENSING - When Government Takes Away Your Right To Do Something Fundamentally Lawful, And Sells It Back To You.
Like flying a 251 gram drone 1 inch off the ground over your own land without paying £9 for registration.
Interesting (as ever) -especially the parts about the wording around “installing a TV”. 👍
👍
@@BlackBeltBarrister very confusing, as the 'installing' part implies you need a tv licence even for a computer as its 'capable of receiving tv' ,if internet connected, even if you dont use it for tv..! maybe they need to reword the law! someone has said in comment on another video he was told by a tv licencing 'goon' he needs a tv licence for his laptop as its 'capable' of tv , regardless of whether its actually used for tv, as it 'could' be used for it, in other words they're assuming your guilty first!
@@andygozzo72 See also smartphones
@@BlackBeltBarrister what if you have a licence,,and you phone up and cancel!!surely they have your name? especially if you pay for the licence by direct debit, what would be the procedure then?.
Finally, I understand what I can and cannot do now that I've cancelled my TV licence. Thank you.
no you did not. You could do whatever you wanted before and after canceling. It is only in your head pal !
I wouldn't pay that perverse organization an one penny bean under any circumstances..
In 1999, NZ was paying $110 for tv license but there was a campaign questioning the validity also to prove whether broadcasting fee was a tax & the legality of applying goods & services tax to it (12.5% tax at the time). Lo and behold, Parliament then scrapped it in 1999.
November this year I shall not be renewing BBC TV Licence. Shall stream through my trusty mobile phone.
Thank you Sir🙏
If you cancel earlier you will get a refund
Yoi can still watch Netflix and other streaming services, play games and do everything else on your TV.
Loose these crooks ASAP! Just cancel your d/d now, get your defund & never cross paths again, simple as that! This extortion is just another prime example of our corrupt system, the entire system!!!
I cancelled mine 2 years ago. I don't miss TV in the slightest, which surprised me a little.
When You Need To Pay For A TV Licence,on the 12th of bloody never
Thanks for that. I was never really clear if you needed one for watching live streams from users.
Never paid it in years as it is a service only system, and I have never paid for to be served by the Bent Broadcasting Clowns, though respect others fear and pay up. Having actually laid the law of goods and services down to the license people they have left me alone, and I wonder why?
Excellent thanks for clarifying youtube live programmes
I stopped paying my license 12 months ago. I don't watch TV and haven't for many years. Since then I have received a letter every 2-3 weeks with red stamps and legalese all over them and a handful of incredibly rude, threatening calls from TV licensing collections service. I was absolutely astounded at just how aggressive they are. They really, really, need to moderate their collection services.
Our experience has been totally different. They were as good as gold when the wife phoned to say we had removed the TV from our second home. She checked about half an hour later to find a refund in the account. Not heard thing from them since. They did say thy will check with us after two years to see if circumstances had changed.
They are just door salespeople. Treat them as such.
If you accidentally open door to them they tell you that you have the right to remain silent and anything you do say will be taken down and used as evidence!
@@tweetypie1978 Not seen that on any doorstep videos. But it sounds like a move in the right direction.
@@davecooper3238 they've said it to me twice 🥺 I think maybe you have to admit it 1st? Two different addresses I've had it at. I'm proper soft tho, once I've opened door I don't have the balls to tell them to go away or lie.
Can you explain why you have to opt out if you dont need a TV licence?
Having a TV in the house should not be a reason for a requirement for a TV licence; the analogy is to possess a knife does not mean you will use it for unlawful purpose (e.g. kill).
My late Mum had a TV licence but after her death, I had no need for it and not used it. They harashed me to fill in No Licence Claim 2 years ago and noe expired. I dont understand the legal basis for opting out since it is a service one has a freedom to subscribe and I doubt whether legislations say default position of opt in. Please can you clarify. Thanks. God Bless.
They can speculate I'm watching whatever the hell they like, they still can't come in and check! HaHaHa
So that's when the radio licence was scrapped. I'd been wondering for years.
I cancelled my TV licence in March as I don't agree with the outdated system.
looking forward to when this video becomes completely redundant
Me too!
Agreed. It's about time the BBC funded itself with advertising or subscription. Want to watch BBC, pay for it. Don't want to, don't pay for it.
I think it's particularly cheeky to include foreign TV in the requirements. Do they support foreign channels? No.
@@ianl1052 i think its even worse when when they use the UK funds to air shows abroad, you don't need a licence to watch BBC iPlayer from outside the uk
@@ryanb915
I think it's worse still when they introduce a subscription based streaming service and broadcast exclusive content on it eg Spitting Image on Britbox. Absolutely disgusting that they're ripping us off twice.
@@ryanb915 The shows they air abroad would be paid for by the broadcast company, this contributes to the bbc funding, likewise foreign programs shown on the bbc are paid for by the bbc/license payer.
The TV license is a useful example to reference when explaining the concept of fascism to someone. TV's are capable of receiving SKY channels, but we are not forced to pay their charges, their broadcasts are encrypted unlike those of the BBC.......Why aren't the BBC held to account in the same way, why aren't they required to encrypt their services? The simple answer is that the corporation would collapse overnight.
Thanks for your help on the TV Licensing law! I was trying to get my head around the legislation the other night!
Glad I could help!
Complicated by design, so most still pay 'just in case'.......
Just wish they'd clarify something about the 2027 review. There has been a petition asking for a public vote (referendum?) on how the BBC should be funded. The last one was in 2015 prior to the 2016 review, and 60% of the 190K+ respondents said they had no problem with the licence model. I don't believe for one second that this would be the case today, never mind in 2025-6.
Although there has been a statement about the government looking into the way the BBC is funded prior to the 2027 review, absolutely no mention has been made about once again asking the population their opinion. I believe this is absolutely essential. The licence fee model is outdated, having lasted from the beginning of TV in this country. No programme today stands a chance of reaching the same number of viewers that programmes from then 70's did as there were virtually no channels operating then compared to the channels available now. Amazon, Netflix, and others have demonstrated the viability of the subscription model. It's time the BBC did the same and failed or succeeded on the strength of their programmes, not on 'free' money whatever they put out garnered by legislation.
Since 2005, I never paid for TV Licence. BBC protected Jimmy Saville and made him millionaire. They don't deserve a single penny.
If you listen to a radio in public or a work place you need other licences. Including public performance licence. Be careful local councils are fining daily for that one.
Yes, a PRS or PPL, officially if a radio is being used anywhere, where it can be heard by people other than yourself you need those licences, my old work place used to have a PRS licence, because we could have radios on, but eventually they banned us from using radios at work, so they didn't have to pay the fee! It's one of those daft rules that most people ignore, as for example if you were listening to the radio on the beach or in your car & other people could hear it, you would officially need a PRS licence!
I seem to remember a while back that when buying a TV in a shop, they would want your address details
I think it was so they could notify TV Licensing. This doesn't happen now though, presumably because back then, outside of gaming, there wasn't much else you could do with a TV other than watch live content as streaming didn't exist
Alas, if you buy a TV receiver, then your details are passed to the TV licensing agency, and you will be asked promptly to buy a TV license, then pestered continually thereafter to get one or be prosecuted. Nothing has changed on that front; they are as aggressive as ever.
Someone used my address to "buy" a tv. They actually stole it as they used false name and address and didn't pay. I was hassled by tv licencing and bailiffs for months!!
@@cdl0 what if you are buying it as a present for someone outside your household, none of their business
@@marks-0-0 It may be none of their business, but if you buy online (e.g. Amazon) then the seller has your details and will pass them on to the UK TV licensing agency. Even if you tell them that you do not need a licence, and ask them to stop sending demands for payment, they make it clear that they will keep on asking forever, just to confirm that you still do not need a licence.
With the GDPR legislation I would reckon they are not allowed to share your details with a third party.
Thanks for explaining, that’s the best explanation of the rules I’ve heard.
18 months ago I gave up my licence by filling in the BBC online declaration. Easy to do; they cancelled my monthly direct debit and refunded for the part-month remaining. I've had 1 visit, just before Covid hit, when I was asked if I knew I didn't have a licence. I replied "yes, thanks" and closed my door before he got to say anything else. Simples 😁
Just to add, I do not watch broadcast channels any more, have no interest in doing so, and I'm using the money saved to pay for UA-cam Premium instead. Happy days 👍🤗
Save yourself money and install Adblock and Adblock plus instead of paying for YT premium
Adblock / Adblock plus is available on both PC and mobile
@@patrickblue3813 Here is my perspective. Previously, about the only live TV I used to watch was the 6 pm news on BBC. Most of my viewing has always been on UA-cam, but with an increasing deluge of ads. It therefore made sense to me to ditch the TV licence and sign up for UA-cam Premium. Adblocker works ok on my desktop PC, but it's no good for Android and Smart TVs. Too much messing about with 3rd party browsers, and VPN's aren't what the hype will tell you. At least I know that some of my YT subs go to the creators.
nothing to add. Just take this comment as an extra Thumbs Up.
I love this, BUT at what point does "Not receiving LIVE TV become a legal point?... watching 10 mins or 30 mins or an hour on BBC iPlayer? always bothered me, or would get rid! I hate most of what BBC broadcast to be fair... it is confusing for a reason, to fund the TV licence. Great Video.
I remember receiving these licence letters when I was a student, went straight into the bin
If they try to sneak it onto our Council Tax, how can we not pay it?
Can they do it?
Can't wait for part 2. I don't watch TV, and I don't have license - seems fair to me. But I have had some run ins with the licensing 'officers'.... I'll see part 2 before any further comment :) . Great video.
Although they are described as "enforcement officers", they do not possess any official powers of arrest and cannot enter homes or search property without permission.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/legal-loophole-being-used-by-hundreds-to-keep-tv-licensing-from-their-door-34629246.html
@@darrenhirst9900 Indeed, I wish more people knew this. I'm guessing it will be covered in part 2.
@@neilfarrow1535 are you serious? you don't have to let anybody in your home including police. Say No and bye bye.
@@gytosas ? I never said that you did....
@@gytosas you do if they have a warrant
Only time I fell fowl to TV licensing was when I thought "hey, TV is there but I use it as a monitor and it doesn't receive anything so sure, come on in to confirm and we're all good". Except the form I signed off on that clearly stated my use case as "TV used as computer monitor" miraculously changed to say that the agent saw it running BBC channels! Oh and damn those faulty body cams, so inconvenient! £400 fine later that was held up in court and lesson learned, TV licensing show up at the door = "nope, you're not coming in!" I still get letters but they've gone from being addressed to me to "to the occupant".
Haven't had terrestrial, sat or cable TV for years and really don't miss it. As for on demand, Prime, Netflix, Twitch and UA-cam does me just fine.
They make it so complicated, that people are actually frightened to cancel
Its not complicated just cancel the payment wait for the threatening letters to come and use them for firelighters.
Not really, just cancel and don't watch live tv or iPlayer. Job done.
No, they make it complicated because there are lots of things to consider. If they just said "You need a license if you own a TV", people who only use their TV for gaming and DVDs would complain. Then TV on the internet became a thing. That means that any computer, tablet or even mobile phone can be used to watch TV, so now the rules have to cover those, too.
@@beeble2003 you are just using your fear to confirm OPs comment. Just cancel and forget about it.
@@gytosas What are you talking about? I'm not afraid of anything, TV-license-wise. I've not had one for fifteen years or more. I'm just explaining that the rules are complicated because the concept of TV is complicated, these days, as a rebuttal to the claim that the rules are complicated just to confuse people.
I noticed over 15 years ago I was spending most of my time in front of a TV thumbing through channels for something watchable and then, when I did choose a program, I would generally doze off and fall asleep within 15-20 minutes. So simply did not replace my TV when it broke down. If I needed something to help me sleep then it would be cheaper to ask my doctor for some sleeping pills.
I actually like the BBC and am not against the licence as such...what I do detest is the rudeness of the letters from capita (at one point I lived in two places but only had a tv in one of them, so the unlicensed property got deluged with threatening letters about me being a criminal and such) that I eventually stopped my licence and just watched I player, removing the "implied right of access" for both properties to avoid the evil mail. Every other year i would but a licence to clear my concience about not paying for the BBC services i was using, but that just started the letters all over again, so aerial unplugged permanently and extreme care taken not to watch any bbc content accidentally on the internet. Sorry BBC I tried to support you but those scumbags at Capita spoiled all that. Found I was so out of watching live TV, that I didnt even watch it on the years that I bought the licence. Bring in a cheaper licence for iplayer only and I might reconsider so long as Capita weren't involved.
I’m so glad someone with your experience is on the tube because us little people don’t understand the law. Thanks for all your advice. ❤️❤️
Wake up sleepy head and read the other comments!
Telling how big a cultural impact the license fee has that this is part 1 of goodness knows how many.
Thank you for the clarification information, it’s really helpful
The easiest way is get rid of your Tv. All it does is programme people to see the world the way the system want you to see it. Not had a TV for over 15 years, and feel so much better
UA-cam gives me everything I have ever wanted to see. We don't even use the radio went more.
When, 'NEVER' pay the extortionists. Simple - never speak to them contact them or have any communication with them whatsoever.
Not had a TV (or licence) for over 11 years. Don't miss it. Holiday cottage TVs sit unused, when in a hotel for work I have occasionally turned it on, staggering how dull and inflexible it is, and on the 'cable/satellite' the synchronised adds are incredibly annoying.
"When you need to pay for a TV licence" When you get caught 🤣
Only by the courts though, capita and bbc have zero legal authority they can only take you to court and the court aren't necessarily on their side.
It's a good thing they can't prove anything! "CanI come in and check if you have a tv?".... "no, you cannot. Goodbye"
And only idiots get caught. Don't talk to them and you can't incriminate yourself. A policy that's served my family well for 28 years.
And only idiots get caught. Don't talk to them and you can't incriminate yourself. A policy that's served my family well for 28 years.
To get caught you need to do so many things:
talk to them
invite them in
incriminate yourself
What you should do to save time and effort - just close the f-ing door! job done
One thing many people don't realise, is that the BBC isn't solely funded by the licence fee. BBC Worldwide is a commercial service, they also own the majority share in UKTV, the commercial TV company that runs channels such as DAVE. On top of that they get a hell of a lot of funding from product placement. I'm sure there are other sources I've missed out, but the fact is, the BBC are a commercial company, they earn money from advertising, a lot of it.
and a lot of people dont know the government funds them as well…..from our taxes, doesnt matter if you dont watch any TV….you’re still paying!
The idea that you have to pay the BBC to receive broadcast content that is in no way produced or disseminated with the aid of the BBC is entirely like having to pay Tesco for the groceries you buy from Aldi.
I can understand it in the days when the tv/radio broadcast network was the only means of transmitting emergency information but not so much nowadays.
What's more ridiculous is that one can't legally watch a live broadcast, over the internet from another country without a UK licence.
I hate the idea of having to tell them that I don't watch live TV. Similar to your analogy, I don't need to write to BMW informing them that I don't have one of their cars.
@@DaveHunterDave reason much?? you could not get a job in Capita only brain dead people can work there.
iPlayer exceptions
There are some exceptions when you won't need a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer. These include the following.
• You only use a battery powered device to watch live TV or catch up services.
• You have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains to receive TV.
• Your permanent address is your parents' house.
• Your parents have a TV licence.
Most of these exceptions can apply to students. However, you won't need a TV licence to watch a battery powered device. This rule was brought in to stop people needing a separate licence to watch TV when away from home.
For example, when using a battery-powered hand held TV on holiday. However, nowadays there are a number of devices with batteries that can access the TV, including tablets and phones.
Cancelled my tv licence 2 years ago. Not really into Woke TV and I certainly wouldn’t watch it live never mind as a catch up.
Your channel is a great source of information, thank you for your work!
I just CANNOT get my head ‘round exactly WHY a licence to watch live TV is necessary.
Originally it was to fund the development of the broadcast service after the war. It's still meant to fund the service but considering there are other options now that weren't right after ww2, it's an idiotically outdated way of doing things.
Daniele Iannarelli: GREED....by the BBC and the government (who also get part of the licence fee).
Simple: to pay for the BBC. It's the license fee or adverts, basically.
To pay for the pedophile party's.
first thing i did when i moved into my flat was cut the areal wire ..have never used TV...and would never have anything to do with bbc ....
It would appear that the age old adage “the devil is in the details” is rather apt in this thesaurus driven world of law craft 📕🧙♂️
Mike Christ: Very true.....which is why they never give you the rules in "plain English".
We should have the option to tell our TV Supplier eg Virgin Media to turn off ALL BBC Programs. Or the TV Supplier should charge us ALL the cost of a TV Licence in our Bills, Job Sorted.
This will be interesting! T v license I'm sick of it,
of course there is a way... look for tommy robinson explanation and steps : How to legally cancel your Tv Licence without being fined : ua-cam.com/video/4RW_Ky9Wj-Q/v-deo.html
Best explanation so far thanks
hello mate just a little question i dont have a tv so obviously dont need a licence dont ever watch bbc however i value my privacy so really dont want to be giving bbc my details do i have to give em my details to tell them that i dont want to do business with them many thanxs
@Steve Gee is what i do just wondered where i stand
I always think you need a TV licence if you have a TV.. thanks for the information.
BBC changing the rules however it suits them. Is completely absurd asking from people who pay for the likes of Virgin TV to pay for TV license as well. No wonder so many people don't bother paying it.
Thank you for all your wonderful and helpful videos, greatly appreciated.
The tv licence law is totally pointless and 1 sided, they say you “have to” pay a tv licence to watch ANY live tv, no matter the channel, but all funds go to the BBC!!??
Which is just like saying
If I only shop at tescos, sainsburys will come knocking at my door and say “hey you bought food”, you need to pay us for it!!
Total BS!!!
and you say!.. you never opened your door to say anything... why bother
@@gytosas you didnt get it did you
@@MrAndroidData I got it. I just continued your point where they don't get to say “hey you bought food” because you never bothered to open the door or if you did you just slam it in their face.
Would love to hear what the laws are on rubbish bags/bins being put out on pavements for collection instead of being left at property boundaries.
It's interesting on the "Watching live tv on the internet". I can state as fact that "broadcast" is impossible from UA-cam. It's unicast. Also, the signal is delayed, sometimes by several minutes, or you can simple rewind the live stream and watch it non-live. I don't watch any of these things, but I'm not sure how well my argument would hold up if I did. If they are focusing on the word "broadcast", then I can prove my watching UA-cam is not a broadcast, it is a unicast stream.
I've never paid for a TV licence and never will, regardless of the law.
Same, i have Freeview but i only use it to listen to the Radio as i don't have a digital Radio.
The only reason I have live television is for sporting tournaments on the BBC. It seems worth it to me just for this.
After listening to your very interesting video I'm pretty sure that I was already reasonably up to speed on the legal situation regarding TV licensing.
It strikes me that unless you were to allow a Capita/BBC representative/sales agent into your home and invite him or her to view a live broadcast on your own TV it would appear almost impossible to secure a conviction for license contravention. I'm guessing that the largest number of convictions/license sales are generated by people admitting to said transgression. I think that the license fee is becoming unenforceable in the real world. While I do enjoy a few drama programmes produced by the BBC I don't, otherwise believe that the rest of BBC programming represents value for money compounded by, what I perceive as a lack of impartiality in current affairs scheduling.
I do enjoy R4 and watch a little BBC 4 at my parents home but nothing justifying the fee. I just see the only viable route for the BBC as flexible subscription. But I digress 🙂
For a TV it would be very hard for them to provide evidence unless you let them into your home. For computers and mobiles though it would be possible for BBC iPlayer to log the fact that you have watched it via their website which would constitute evidence. It would be harder for the BBC/Capita to prove that you have watched another TV channel live via computer or mobile, but not impossible.
@@EricTViking But I would imagine they'd need a warrant to examine any equipment and I'm not sure the data protection act would allow them to use things such as IP addresses to identify use. Then there are VPNs. You make an interesting point but I think it would be difficult without a personal admission.
People can also be successfully prosecuted for watching Live TV even if they do not watch live TV but have a TV in their property with a Aerial / Satellite box plugged into the TV
You can own as many TV's as You like, could even have a 1000 or more in your property and BBC / TVL cannot do a thing about it as long as none of those TV's have Aerials or satellite boxes plugged into them
I stopped watching live TV 15 - 20 years ago but still have a TV for using as a monitor / watching netflix / playing games consoles on
Always tell them they are not welcome at your property when they turn up knocking on your door, they have zero legals rights of entry into your property unless they have a warrant off a judge
But to get that warrant they need evidence and to get that evidence they need to enter your property, so it is a catch 22 for them
They have been known to peer through peoples windows (something they are not supposed to be doing) and the like to try get a warrant force them people to buy a licence, the goon's they send out cannot be trusted in the slightest
@@patrickblue3813 I believe that they have to prove that you were watching a live TV broadcast which would indeed require them to be standing in the room with you and to check the receiving equipment is actually connected. This would never happen as my home stands in it's own grounds and has comprehensive CCTV cover. Peeking through windows could, I imagine, be seen as an offence in itself and could be rightly interpreted as a criminal 'casing' your property prior to a potential burglary which in itself is an interesting position. If children live at the property it might be seen in an even darker light 😉
From what I understand Capita's sales agents tent to victimise vulnerable people which is perhaps why I've never had a visit from them. Oddly enough I live in a listed building in a well to do area and it seems after watching videos they tend to go for easier targets.
One thing that does annoy me is the police acting as corrupt enforcers, with no idea that THEY are on the wrong side of the law, not the home owner.
All moot points but important to discuss as I do stream TV and watch dvds... yes, I'm that old fashioned lol.
@@PurityVendetta As long as there is a aerial inserted into a TV they do not have to prove you was watching live TV, having a TV aerial inserted is classed as the TV as being Installed (able to receive live TV broadcasts)
With no Aerial inserted it is classed just as a monitor / not being installed
I know this from experience, I made the mistake of letting them into my property back before I knew the law about TV inspectors aka Goons, TV was off at the time
I thought (wrongly) that because I never watched live TV and just used the TV as a monitor for pc and games consoles / dvd's that I was in the clear, the TV still had an aerial inserted as back when I used to watch live TV I left the aerial inserted into it
Long story short few months later I got a court date to go court for TV licence
It is because of that why I brushed up on the law concerning the TV licence and why I post in comments section in YT so others do not make the same mistake
They can successfully prosecute anyone that has an Aerial inserted into a TV, whether they watch live TV or not and / or whether the Goon sees live TV being watched does not matter
Yes the goons have been known to peek through windows which they should not do and is against the law also
Since then every time a goon has turned up on my door I have always told them to go forth and multiply (just not in those exact words lol) as they have zero legal rights of entry into your property without a warrant off a judge and also because I won't let anyone try and harass me and try and extort money out of me, which is what the goons and BBC/TVL do
Regarding the myth, a problem I have commonly found over the years is that when I bought a TV , VCR or DVD recorder, or indeed anything that could be used to receive a TV signal (e.g. a device that would take a signal from an analogue camcorder and digitise it then transfer the digital data to a computer via USB which was included because it could be used to take input from a set-top box that received a digital TV signal and converted it to an analogue TV signal), the retailer would demand my name and address. Their argument was that they were required by law to do this as they had to provide those details to TV Licensing so they could ensure I had a license. My response each time was to keep saying “No, I don’t want to be added to your marketing database or mailing list” as invariably if I did give them my address I’d be getting mailings off them for years. From your description it sounds like they were talking a load of rubbish. I could maybe understand back in the 1970s when all you could do with a TV was watch TV, but now there are other things such as connect to a games console, DVD/BluRay player or to a computer as a monitor. This has happened recently enough that when the inevitable junk mail arrived my complaint was under the GDPR, not DPA.
Wow r people still watching the TV? Omg that explains the mass hypnosis of the population in the last year- stopped watching that embarrassing 😳 box 20 years ago😊💯
Great point
Some excellent advice on this channel, and this video clearly shows what an out dated and what an utter con the bbc tv license is, every year it increases, just to watch repeats and other associated rubbish, and when I did last watch bbc and most other channels on tv it was nothing more than repeats and soap operas, which I have no interest in, not watched it since 2015/6
What I find is the biggest con is, If you are watching live tv from Europe, i:e NOT broadcast from the UK you still need a bbc license... just ridiculous. I stream all the tv and films I watch off a sharing/ streaming site, or UA-cam, i:e NOT broadcast live.
If you go to jail you can watch TV without a a licence for free
Be a good law abiding citizen and you get robbed for your hard earned money by the BBC to watch TV
It's a joke
No you don't, you have to pay a £1 a week or 50p if two of you are in a cell.
Most informative . Thank you.
Serious consideration for thought, we rarely watch BBC anyway, so why the hell are we paying for something that we rarely watch, also why does the rest of the world get it for free? I'm seriously looking into going license free!.
Do it you won't regret it and don't forget to get a refund
I thought BBB made it very clear. You don’t need to watch BBC to require a licence.
@@davecooper3238 he did and your point is?
@@sizzler2462 Refer to Mark Stelling’s original post. He wrote about rarely watching the BBC so may go license free. He did not say anything about not watching other live TV.
You wont regret it. It makes stories about cover ups, excessive pay and biased news much easier to take in.... :)
Thank you for a comprehensive explanation.
Thanks but the BBC can do one, I've never paid them a penny and never will. Best way to deal with them is to just ignore the letters and shut the door on them if any of their goons turn up at your home there is nothing they can do.
I still have a VHS recorder, which I use to watch some video tapes, because I can't get those films on DVD or Bluray.