TV licence when analogue is switched off

[steevo]

When the analogue tv signal is switched off, and if I dont have cable or Sky, is it still gonna be a "legal requirement" to have a tv licence if I have a tv ?

Also, does a pc WITH/WITHOUT an internet connection, classed as a tv ?

I suspect the PTB have ensured that there are no "loopholes", and it would be necessary for me to do a freeman on the land type of letter/notice.

[john white]

When the analogue tv signal is switched off, and if I dont have cable or Sky, is it still gonna be a "legal requirement" to have a tv licence if I have a tv ?

Also, does a pc WITH/WITHOUT an internet connection, classed as a tv ?

I suspect the PTB have ensured that there are no "loopholes", and it would be necessary for me to do a freeman on the land type of letter/notice.

At the moment, any form of equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts from channels 1-5 broadcasts "counts as" a television, and this includes video's, digital hard drives and TV cards installed in PC's. However PC's connected to the net via broadband do NOT count as TV's, and people do not need a licence to view TV programmes on the BBC I-Player, for example. Of course this loophole is looking to be closed, the BBC have stated that if enough people view their content net only they will move for changes in the liscencing law, and have targeted students as an example of lost revenue in particular

I don't pay a TV licences for the reason that I don't have any equipment that requires registration... a claim of right for ownership of equipment could be tried, but it would be very hard to successfully show no harm or potential to defraud. Both the licensing fee and the license enforcement are big money earners and the licence is classed as a tax, so any claim threatening that would certainly be vigorously contested

Not using the service and not having the equipment is the best way to be sure not to pay the licence

[steevo]

At the moment, any form of equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts from channels 1-5 broadcasts "counts as" a television, and this includes video's, digital hard drives and TV cards installed in PC's. However PC's connected to the net via broadband do NOT count as TV's, and people do not need a licence to view TV programmes on the BBC I-Player, for example. Of course this loophole is looking to be closed, the BBC have stated that if enough people view their content net only they will move for changes in the liscencing law, and have targeted students as an example of lost revenue in particular

I don't pay a TV licences for the reason that I don't have any equipment that requires registration... a claim of right for ownership of equipment could be tried, but it would be very hard to successfully show no harm or potential to defraud. Both the licensing fee and the license enforcement are big money earners and the licence is classed as a tax, so any claim threatening that would certainly be vigorously contested

Not using the service and not having the equipment is the best way to be sure not to pay the licence

Thanks for the reply JW.
If I just had a PC with broadband (with no tv card), surely my ISP could block the BBC website (and other equivalent sites) to my computer cos we all have unique IP addresses, and therefore it could be done.
I am willing to give up my tv - I only really use it to watch football once in a while, and also I use it to watch DVD's occasionally too.

[john white]

Thanks for the reply JW.
If I just had a PC with broadband (with no tv card), surely my ISP could block the BBC website (and other equivalent sites) to my computer cos we all have unique IP addresses, and therefore it could be done.
I am willing to give up my tv - I only really use it to watch football once in a while, and also I use it to watch DVD's occasionally too.

Sounds good:)

There are practical difficulties for the Beeb in extending the licence to the internet, doesn't mean they wont push for a way but whatever route they choose there are options to not consent:)

It's possible they may wait for "internet II" to do the job for them... certainly the keenness of government to spread broadband far and wide will have a price tag attached eventually

[logic bomb]

At the moment, any form of equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts from channels 1-5 broadcasts "counts as" a television

Just to break this down a bit because this is where the majority of misunderstandings originate. You do not legally require a TV Licence just for having equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts because your TV is only classed as such when it is set up to receive a live broadcast feed. A TV is not classed as equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts if it doesn't have an ariel/cable physically plugged into it.

Remove the feed and you remove the legal requirement. You do not have to remove your TV.

[yozhik]

Simple/naive question:

TV's come with a manual tuning facility.
Could you not have a TV with ariel/cable attached, but with the TV manually detuned so as not to be capable of recieving the offensive ... errrr ... offending... channels?

If I have a TV detuned so as NOT to receive the Ministry of Information propaganda via the BBC, but lawfully possess a TV tuned to only recieve those channels that do not constitute a contract requiring a licence ... then where is the breach of contract/statute?

[john white]

Just to break this down a bit because this is where the majority of misunderstandings originate. You do not legally require a TV Licence just for having equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts because your TV is only classed as such when it is set up to receive a live broadcast feed. A TV is not classed as equipment capable of receiving or recording TV broadcasts if it doesn't have an ariel/cable physically plugged into it.

Remove the feed and you remove the legal requirement. You do not have to remove your TV.

I don't believe this is true now as the statute was re-written in 2003, it could be tried but I wouldn't rely on it.

The reason is that TV licensing will take it to court, that will put one in a position of having to prove one is not in dishonour right from the start, and that means once its gone to the court stage, there is a real chance of being screwed if one cant handle the case very carefully and slip up on statues and procedures. Accidentally accept liability and its case closed, fine or prison

[logic bomb]

Simple/naive question:

TV's come with a manual tuning facility.
Could you not have a TV with ariel/cable attached, but with the TV manually detuned so as not to be capable of recieving the offensive ... errrr ... offending... channels?

If I have a TV detuned so as NOT to receive the Ministry of Information propaganda via the BBC, but lawfully possess a TV tuned to only recieve those channels that do not constitute a contract requiring a licence ... then where is the breach of contract/statute?

I think you'd still be receiving a broadcast signal (though "unscrambled"). You could call them and ask ;)

It's a flimsy unenforceable statute anyway.

[scubadiver007]

If and when I move out I won't bother with a tv. 96% of it doesn't interest me anyway. As far as I am aware (though I might be wrong), a licence is only required for viewing live broadcasts.

The only show I will miss is deal or no deal (only for the psychology of it, not the money).

[logic bomb]

I don't believe this is true now as the statute was re-written in 2003, it could be tried but I wouldn't rely on it.

I had lots of dealing with them in 2007. Even have a legal statement from them saying they won't investigate me for 3 years (at my old address).

Remove the feed, that's all.

I would advise anyone who is generally concerned to just call them up and ask them.

[yozhik]

Just another hypothetical question aimed at anyone with more technical knowledge than I have :rolleyes:

The 'parental block' facility; can you manually select the channels to be blocked?

Would kind of be cool and relevant to claim standing as a 'parent' [not a child] and consciously block the offensive channels from the Ministry of [dis]Information.

Then, with video recorder activated, invite the Licencing Nazis into your home for them to WITNESS that it is not possible to view the material subject to licencing on your TV.

Give the the remote; challenge them [on camera] to find a breach of their private, corporate policies.

Have an Affidavit of Truth ready for them to sign/witness at the end of their [fruitless] 'investigation. :)

[john white]

Lots to see here

http://tvlicenceresistance.info/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=f5165f2f46e68a23185d7351fd2560 e7&

[sindakit]

there are two letters on tpuc about claiming the right not to pay tv licence since the beeb accepted money from the EU. I've never used them myself but I still won't pay, regardless.

[chloe]

My tv gets used solely for my childrens dvd's as atleast I can half control the level of rubbish!

But I do not see why I should detune my tv, i'm not that techy so it would take me time etc

Also if I sell I'd not know how to sort it again!

So sod them, not letting them in and if they get a warrant they can see it unplugged from ariel(can't play with sicket as I rent) and they will have to prove 100% I watch live tv

[flickflack]

I am willing to give up my tv - I only really use it to watch football once in a while, and also I use it to watch DVD's occasionally too.

If you can do without football, all you need to watch your DVD's is a computer with DVD-rom. Selling the TV will make you money too.

[chloe]

If you can do without football, all you need to watch your DVD's is a computer with DVD-rom. Selling the TV will make you money too.

I am in the same situation, but I'd not let children anywhere near a laptop and my dvd on lappy is broken anyway. I'm not going to sell a brand new tv and buy a better laptop just for tv liscencing!