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

[OnlyFabs]

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?

[XRaySpeX]

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

[SimonG34]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

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

---

[OnlyFabs]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

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. 

[XRaySpeX]

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

[Midnight_Voice]

@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.

[Tractor555]

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

[XRaySpeX]

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