topic Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv? in TV

Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

OnlyFabs — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:16:55 GMT

Hi community 👋,

I'm hoping someone can help me out here with probably a common issue. I just signed up for a broadband package and then decided to go ahead with the TV package (Entertainment package)

I have access to EE TV but I don't intend on watching live TV, I purely watch Netflix, Now (Sky Channels that are not live, just general on demand content), Discovery+ and Apple TV+.

I've been trying to figure out if I need a license and have come to the conclusion I dont need one based on the questionnaire.

I know it says if you watch live tv you need a license but where does having a TV package fall in my case? Obviously I have access to live TV but I dont actually watch it. I have no problem paying for a license but I think I don't need to because I don't watch live TV right?

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:38:52 GMT

As long as you don't use BBC iPlayer streamed or on demand.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

SimonG34 — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:46:20 GMT

Hi OnlyFabs,

A TV licence is required for any live TV streaming or viewing, not just BBC so just be careful you don't get caught out there. It is not simply just for BBC iPlayer like a lot of people might think.

Hope that helps. But for on demand like you seem to be using you should be fine.

Cheers.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:54:58 GMT

TV Licence | Gov UK

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

...

You need a TV Licence if you:

watch or record live TV on any channel or service

use BBC iPlayer

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

OnlyFabs — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:50:04 GMT

Hey SimonG34,

This is what I thought. It's anything thing live from my understanding. My issue is I'm not 100% sure because I have access to the live TV, I pay for it (through the package from EE) but I don't watch it or anything like that. I'm a humble old streaming services guy 😅

Maybe I'll give EE a call and see if they can confirm or something. Might even be worth trying to phone the TV licensing place themselves but I feel like that should be the last resort.

I'm also trying to find out because I don't want some TV licensing people coming by and asking now that I have a package with EE.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:13:44 GMT

If your Government doesn't know, nobody can!

The TV Licensing Authority site is deceptively misleading. It doesn't say 1 way or another but just wants you to buy a license.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:50:46 GMT

Be aware that "live streaming" on any channel is Live. On Demand & Catch-up isn't.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

Midnight_Voice — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:11:28 GMT

@SimonG34

While not exactly wrong, you have that sort of backwards 😢

The BBC iPlayer is the one exception to the general rule that you can watch anything On Demand without a TV licence - if you don’t have a TV licence you can watch any on demand service except that one.

@XRaySpeX describes this, and indeed the whole TV licence situation, accurately and comprehensively.

@OnlyFabs Having access to live TV or the iPlayer does not mean you need a TV licence. Using that access is what would trigger the liability.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

Tractor555 — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 17:44:47 GMT

From memory the wording of the licence is "live streaming from a TV station" i.e. you don't need a licence too watch a person on twitch say. There wasn't clear guidance on what a TV station was through. So is say big jet TV you tube live stream a TV station? I don't know

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 17:51:37 GMT

@Tractor555 : YT is not a TV Station; it doesn't broadcast.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

Midnight_Voice — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:41:13 GMT

@Tractor555

@XRaySpeX

And broadcast TV doesn’t come from stations; it comes from transmitters. Which other services, like Sky channels live from Now, don’t; they come over the internet, as indeed do Freeview channels supplied over the internet by EETV.

I have a strong suspicion that whatever the wording of the TV licence is, these won’t be loopholes that people can exploit 😛

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:09:59 GMT

Broadcast means carried by radio waves, OTA. But even so if they come over the Net at the same time as they are broadcast OTA that counts as Live TV for which you need a TV License.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

Tractor555 — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:18:35 GMT

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/do-i-need-a-tv-licence-twitch-youtube-live/ good article on the topic

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

LIVEANIMALS — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:35:50 GMT

This is what I know if there is a TV program that is on at 4 pm and for example you are not yet home from work at 4 pm and you watched that program later on let’s say 7 pm on ITVX then you do not need a license to watch that as many times as you want
which means as a safety net if you want to watch a TV programme wait until it’s finished live broadcasting and then watch it on ITVX or Netflix or YouTube or Prime Video or anything like that one hour later

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

LIVEANIMALS — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:39:17 GMT

Carrying on from that however if you click on the live programs at any time on ITV X or Prime Video such as sport or anything like that then you do need a license to watch the sport as it’s considered live at that time,

but you can watch the replay any time on these on demand apps after the live event is finished and not need a license

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 17:11:07 GMT

Yes, @LIVEANIMALS , as I already said, if they come over the Net at the same time as they are broadcast OTA that counts as Live TV for which you need a TV License.

Re: Do I need a TV license because I have access to live tv?

Deano1711 — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:43:04 GMT

What i dont really get is why are you paying for a subscriotion from eetv just to stream apps ? All you need is a firestick or android box or even just your smart tv. It just seems an expensive way to watch apps and now tv.

Maybe its just me