Do I need a tv Licence if I only watch tv via the sky player

[Satan's Therapist]

I dont know exactly whats included in the base sky player subscription thats available on the 360 now and regarding what you need a tv licence for the only info Ive found is that you only need a tv licence if you are watching tv as it is being broadcasted regardless of the equipment you are viewing it on. Cant find any other especially about the sky player on the 360 (dont have a sky box or dish btw)

So I'd like to know of I still need a tv licence if I got rid of the tv recording equipment I own and dont connect my tv to an aerial and then only use the sky player on the xbox 360 and also use catch up tv services including the bbc i player, itv net player and 4on demand?

[Rotek]

I know that the BBC confirmed when it first came out that if you only used the iPlayer (and by extension stuff like 4OD etc.) then you didn't have to pay a license. Probably because you weren't actually using a TV to receive the broadcast. Now, I'm not entirely sure whether or not that extends to if you watch the iPlayer via the PS3 or, as you say, the Sky Player on 360.

As you say, I'm fairly certain that the current rules only apply if you're watching live TV online. But it's pretty confusing. They should probably reform the legislation to sort out exactly what you can and can't do. I reckon that you should probably be OK though, if you disconnect the aerial. I found this on the TV licensing site, which seems like it might absolve you.

Many TV channels are now available to watch over the Internet. If you’re watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they are broadcast, then you need a TV Licence. However, you don’t need to be covered by a licence if you’re only using ‘on-demand’ services to watch programmes after they have gone out on TV. So, you need a licence to watch any channel live online, but you wouldn’t need one to use BBC iPlayer to catch up on an episode of a programme you missed, for example.

[OnThinIce]

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/

you need a license if you own a PC or laptop full stop, never mind watch anything

[MikeHaggar]

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/

you need a license if you own a PC or laptop full stop, never mind watch anything

Says:

if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast

So, what Rotek said then.

[OnThinIce]

just realised that lol

so i guess the key word is whilst, watching it on a catch up service like 4od and the iplayer should be fine

[Satan's Therapist]

I know that the BBC confirmed when it first came out that if you only used the iPlayer (and by extension stuff like 4OD etc.) then you didn't have to pay a license. Probably because you weren't actually using a TV to receive the broadcast. Now, I'm not entirely sure whether or not that extends to if you watch the iPlayer via the PS3 or, as you say, the Sky Player on 360.

As you say, I'm fairly certain that the current rules only apply if you're watching live TV online. But it's pretty confusing. They should probably reform the legislation to sort out exactly what you can and can't do. I reckon that you should probably be OK though, if you disconnect the aerial. I found this on the TV licensing site, which seems like it might absolve you.

Many TV channels are now available to watch over the Internet. If you’re watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they are broadcast, then you need a TV Licence. However, you don’t need to be covered by a licence if you’re only using ‘on-demand’ services to watch programmes after they have gone out on TV. So, you need a licence to watch any channel live online, but you wouldn’t need one to use BBC iPlayer to catch up on an episode of a programme you missed, for example.

Agree completely they really need to clarify things further and include the sky player specifically via the xbox 360.

Regarding the licence info that exactly what I've read online. Licence only needed to watch programmes as they are being broadcasted and as far as I know no on demand/catch up service does this.

Cant find info specifically with regards to the sky player via the 360 though. (and also the iplayer via wii and ps3)

I know if you have sky box and aerial you have to have a licence as that receives the terrestrial tv channels, same with having a virgin, freesat or free view box and also a pc tv tuner.

Is the sky player just basically catch tv though that cannot receive live terrestrial broadcasts???

[Rotek]

I know if you have sky box and aerial you have to have a licence as that receives the terrestrial tv channels, same with having a virgin, freesat or free view box and also a pc tv tuner.

Is the sky player just basically catch tv though that cannot receive live terrestrial broadcasts???

I'm not 100% because I haven't used it, but I'm pretty sure that the 360 Sky Player is just a catch-up service, which should under the regulations exempt you. Sky boxes are only licensed because they broadcast TV live (although, actually, I guess if you were to only watch the Anytime bit you could get around that...maybe). But as I say, it might also show live stuff, I simply don't know.

[Shaolin_monkey]

Hang on, if you're using Sky Player via your 360, what are you watching your 360 on? If it's a TV, then you need a TV licence, whether it's on demand stuff you're watching or not.

[Rotek]

Hang on, if you're using Sky Player via your 360, what are you watching your 360 on? If it's a TV, then you need a TV licence, whether it's on demand stuff you're watching or not.

Nope. You only need the licence if you're watching live TV on it. If you've got a TV in your home and you don't watch it, you don't need a licence.

If you use Sky+, Playstation 3 or another digital TV recorder to watch or record programmes as they are broadcast, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. The same rules apply if you use a video or DVD recorder to watch or record programmes as they are broadcast.
If you use your digital set-top box to produce sounds only (you don't use it to display programmes), then you don't need a TV Licence.

And again.

You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.

Nowhere at all does it ever state that you need to pay a licence if you simply own a television set. You only need to pay if you're actually watching (or recording) live TV on it. If it's been pre-recorded, as with the Sky Player, you don't need one.

EDIT: I know it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, but that's how it is. Also, I think I'm probably going to be an expert on the TV licencing rules soon, the amount of times I've been on that site over the past couple of days

[OnThinIce]

we can all agree that the BBC have it made

[merman]

we can all agree that the BBC have it made

But remember, the license fee doesn't only pay for the BBC and its excellent service. It also funds the regulation and control of all television and radio services.

Sky Player on 360 is NOT just for catching up on programmes, you can watch channels live. Therefore you WILL need a license.

[fatboyslick]

I always thought that if you had a medium by which to recieve television (PC, tv etc) then that consituted the need for a licence.

With TV through a broadband connection (through fixed or mobile) becoming the norm then the rules will change again.

[djsmiley2k]

I always thought that if you had a medium by which to recieve television (PC, tv etc) then that consituted the need for a licence.

I think thats how they get the "legal" right to check, as you "might" be using it... I remember a few years ago it was "If you have any equipment _capable_ of recieving, and decoding a live to air broadcast. So that meant TV's, tv cards, removable arials, all sorts of random equipment... It didn't say anything about it being in use either. So you couldn't hide a TV under your bed and claim you never use it...

[Shaolin_monkey]

Every time I buy a new TV I get a card through the post saying a I need a licence for it. How would they know if I watched it or stored it in a box under my bed? Either way, I don't think they care - I have a TV, ergo, I must buy a licence.

[Bilge Rat]

The TV licencing enforcers are total Nazis - be warned that if you own a console that can get the Sky service then they will probably take you to court even if they aren't going to win. They want people to think that unless you have no TV and no internet it is probably worth getting a licence just to avoid the hassle.