Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?

Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?

This is assuming that you * DO NOT * have a television receiver built
into the PC.

ie only watching what BBC make available for viewing from their
websites

My son has just gone to University and hasn't taken a TV with him.

But probably will watch streamed programmes across the internet.

What's the score regards this.

I fully understand that if he obtains a tuner card then of course he
needs a licence then.

But what if he only watches internet based content ?

Jim.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

> Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?

Not AIUI.

Graham

In article <(E-Mail Removed) om>,
(E-Mail Removed) writes
>Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?
>
>This is assuming that you * DO NOT * have a television receiver built
>into the PC.
>
>ie only watching what BBC make available for viewing from their
>websites
>
>My son has just gone to University and hasn't taken a TV with him.
>
>But probably will watch streamed programmes across the internet.
>
>What's the score regards this.
>
>I fully understand that if he obtains a tuner card then of course he
>needs a licence then.
>
>But what if he only watches internet based content ?
>
>Jim.

From <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp>

"You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as
a TV set, set-top boxes, video or DVD recorders, computers or mobile
phones to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV."

This could be interpreted to mean that if you are watching a programme
on an Internet stream at the SAME time as it is being broadcast you need
a licence. A television receiver has been defined by an Act of
Parliament to encompass non-radio equipment.



--
Ian G8ILZ
There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.
~Ansel Adams

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?

If you are watching the programmes (not just BBC) at the same time as
they are being broadcast, then yes you do.
If you are only using a catchup or on-demand service, then no.

<http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp#link1>
<http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/students.jsp#link2>

"Matthew Sylvester" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1i4peqw.wj6pbc18bezmuN%matthew.sylvester@gmai l.com...
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?
>
> If you are watching the programmes (not just BBC) at the same time as
> they are being broadcast, then yes you do.
> If you are only using a catchup or on-demand service, then no.
>
> <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp#link1>
> <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/students.jsp#link2>

I seem to recall an issue with this couple of years ago. If its a battery
operated device, and can work purely on batteries, then no...ie a mobile
phone that views TV was exempt. If you plug it into mains, the "stupid" law
changes.
I was running pcs of a UPS at time, and wondered if I could get away with
it. Seemed easier to just buy one in the end. Its just another tax

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:46:33 UTC, "Neil" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
> "Matthew Sylvester" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:1i4peqw.wj6pbc18bezmuN%matthew.sylvester@gmai l.com...
> > <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?
> >
> > If you are watching the programmes (not just BBC) at the same time as
> > they are being broadcast, then yes you do.
> > If you are only using a catchup or on-demand service, then no.
> >
> > <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp#link1>
> > <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/students.jsp#link2>
>
> I seem to recall an issue with this couple of years ago. If its a battery
> operated device, and can work purely on batteries, then no...ie a mobile
> phone that views TV was exempt. If you plug it into mains, the "stupid" law
> changes.

Yes and no. There must be an underlying proper licence back 'at base'.
The concession is really meant to void buying a licence for a portable
TV you use outside the house.

--
[ 7'ism - a condition by which the sufferer experiences an inability
to give concise answers, express reasoned argument or opinion.
Usually accompanied by silly noises and gestures - incurable, early
euthanasia recommended. ]

When my daughter was at uni and staying in uni accomodation they were
allways prewarned by the uni if there was going to be a tv licence check.

I believe the detectors they use can only identify if a tv signal is being
received on a tv set so if viewing on a pc in a browser, or downloading to
the BBC iplayer its not a tv signal/transmission

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ps.com...
> Do you need a TV licence to watch BBC broadcasts over the internet ?
>
> This is assuming that you * DO NOT * have a television receiver built
> into the PC.
>
> ie only watching what BBC make available for viewing from their
> websites
>
> My son has just gone to University and hasn't taken a TV with him.
>
> But probably will watch streamed programmes across the internet.
>
> What's the score regards this.
>
> I fully understand that if he obtains a tuner card then of course he
> needs a licence then.
>
> But what if he only watches internet based content ?
>
> Jim.
>

Prometheus wrote:

> From <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp>
>
> "You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as
> a TV set, set-top boxes, video or DVD recorders, computers or mobile
> phones to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV."
>
> This could be interpreted to mean that if you are watching a programme
> on an Internet stream at the SAME time as it is being broadcast you need
> a licence. A television receiver has been defined by an Act of
> Parliament to encompass non-radio equipment.

Interesting.

A neighbour of mine has never had a TV the whole time he's been living next door
but he does now watch stuff online. I'd like to see them prove he does so though.

Graham

On 20/09/2007 00:05, Bob Eager wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:46:33 UTC, "Neil" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> "Matthew Sylvester" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> I seem to recall an issue with this couple of years ago. If its a battery
>> operated device, and can work purely on batteries, then no...ie a mobile
>> phone that views TV was exempt. If you plug it into mains, the "stupid" law
>> changes.
>
> Yes and no. There must be an underlying proper licence back 'at base'.
> The concession is really meant to void buying a licence for a portable
> TV you use outside the house.

I think it stipulates that it works from INTERNAL batteries, so a UPS
wouldn't count. I can't remember if the wording stipulates that it is
actually working FROM the internal battery, or just capable of it.

On 20/09/2007 03:29, Eeyore wrote:

> A neighbour of mine has never had a TV the whole time he's been living next door
> but he does now watch stuff online. I'd like to see them prove he does so though.

Log files on their servers and corresponding cookies on his PC would be
a start.