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

[fatboyslick]

Hmm

I can watch tv on my phone. If I didn't have a licence nor a tv....would they get me?

[Satan's Therapist]

If its being broadcasted live then yes, if not no.

After starting and reading through this thread it seems pretty much certain that you only need a tv licence if your tv or pc is able to recieve any live broadcasts by any means,

Seems like it less hassle to have a tv licence but as long as you dont have any recording equipment (I currently have a freeview tuner with HDD) or any any kind of set top box (sky virgin or that BT thing) and tv isn't connected to an aerial then you do not need a tv licence.

I can now connect my lap to my tv via a VGA lead and watch all the on demand programmes which suit my tv needs.

If I dont want to have to have a tv licence I could get rid of my freeview recorder which would be easy. I'd then need to prove that my tv is not connected to my antenna box.

Thing is with a lead that can easily be removed and put back just as quick how could I prove that my tv is permantly not connected to an aerial?

[fatboyslick]

Anyone ever actually get caught by the TV Licence people?

I did at Uni. One sunday we were watching T4 and we got a knock on the door. I actually quipped that it was the TV licence man and it fucking was!

He first introduced himself and said "Am I ok to step in" to which my numbnuts housemate went "err yeah". He waltzed into the front room to see 5 people sat watching a tv without a licence. We had to click through channel as he ticked them off (terrestrial only - a set top box was still £100 for 5 extra channels)).

I enquried about a student discount but got a blank stare in return

[Bilge Rat]

Thing is with a lead that can easily be removed and put back just as quick how could I prove that my tv is permantly not connected to an aerial?

Yeah, I don't think you could get away with that. If you have a device that is capable of receiving live broadcasts by any means then I think it counts.

[Shaolin_monkey]

You could just avoid all the angst and hassle, and just get a licence. Then you can do whatever the hell you want, and at the same time support one of the few things this country can be truly proud of - the BBC!

[Satan's Therapist]

Thing is with a lead that can easily be removed and put back just as quick how could I prove that my tv is permantly not connected to an aerial?

Yeah, I don't think you could get away with that. If you have a device that is capable of receiving live broadcasts by any means then I think it counts.

Thinking back now I have a couple of friends that have had this issue. They have a small-ish tv (actually about 20") and dont need to pay for a tv licence as its not connected to any aerial and never has been. They somehow had to prove it wasn't connected or was ever going to be connected. Will have a chat to them about it when I next see them.

I could save £140.50 a year by disconnecting and considering I barely watch anything on the bbc channels (and never listen to radio) I think Its worth doing.

With most equipment being digital the bbc could easily scramble to signal if you dont pay but no they would rather have £140 off everyone each year.

If I dont want sky or virgin Im not forced to pay for them and with so many other ways to consume media these days, especially with all the on demand stuff (viewable on my Lcd tv now via laptop) I think the licence fee is a con.