TV LICENCE: WHEN YOU NEED ONE, AND WHEN YOU DON’T
Watching live TV
You need a TV licence to watch programmes “as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel or TV service” (as stated on the TV Licensing website www. tvlicencing.co.uk).
It doesn’t matter where it is broadcast or distributed from, or what device you’re watching it on. This covers all terrestrial (Freeview) channels, as well as paid-for services such as Sky and Virgin Media, and even pay-per-view events and live broadcasts from overseas channels. You also need a licence to watch live streams online, including on social-media sites such as Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.
The TV licensing body classes live TV streams as those “broadcast within a service which has the characteristics of a TV channel”; live “user-generated” streams don’t require a licence. So while watching a Facebook Live stream broadcast by a TV company, such as Bloomberg, would require a licence, a live stream from a webcam in your back garden wouldn’t. In addition, changes to the licensing rules implemented in 2016 mean you now need a TV licence to watch any live, catch-up or on-demand content on BBC iplayer, too (see below).
Recorded and catch-up TV
If you only ever record programmes to watch later, you might think you’re not technically watching them live and therefore don’t need a TV licence.
However, according to the official TV Licensing definition, “live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown”. The definition goes on to clarify that “it’s not just live events like sport, news and music… it also covers soaps, series, documentaries and even movies”. So any TV shows that you record or ‘timeshift’ using a personal video recorder (PVR), such as a Humax Youview recorder (pictured below), are still considered to be ‘live’ – and that means you need a licence.
While you need a TV licence to stream live programmes, this requirement doesn’t extend to catch-up (also known as on-demand) services – with the one exception being BBC iplayer, which frequently reminds you that it requires a TV licence (see screenshot above).
So, if you only watch catch-up shows and box sets from ITV Hub, All 4 (Channel 4), My5 (Channel 5), Sky Go and suchlike, but never watch anything on BBC iplayer, you won’t need a licence. However, you will need one if you watch any BBC iplayer shows, regardless of whether you’re watching via the iplayer website, an official BBC iplayer app, or accessing iplayer content via another service, such as Sky, Virgin Media, Youview or BT TV.
Streaming services
As far as TV licensing rules are concerned, on-demand streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV and the new Britbox service (which we’ll look at in more detail later) all fall into the same category as catch-up streaming services, meaning you don’t need a TV licence. This applies even if you’re using them to watch episodes of BBC shows, many of which are currently available on Netflix.
Discounted TV licences
If you’re over 75, you can currently get a free TV licence (apply at www.snipca. com/33591). However, this exemption is due to end on 1 June 2020 (though it will continue for those receiving Pension Credit). If you or someone you live with is blind or severely sight-impaired, you can apply for a half-price licence (find out more at www.snipca.com/33590).
Meanwhile, if you live in a care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to apply for a discounted TV licence (visit www.snipca.com/33594 to see if you qualify). And according to TV Licensing figures, 6,500 UK households are still watching TV programmes on black-andwhite TV sets. If you’ve shunned new-fangled colour TVS, you can get a
knock-down licence fee of just £52 (bear in mind all your TVS need to be black-and-white).
Second licences when watching away from home
This one’s a little more complicated. If you’re using an internal batterypowered device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or portable games console to watch live TV or BBC iplayer, you’re covered by your home TV licence, wherever you are.
However, you will need a second licence to watch live TV or iplayer on any device that’s plugged into the mains or into a TV aerial. This means you can watch iplayer on your laptop when it’s running off battery, but you’d need a second licence if you connect it to a mains power socket while watching. Mercifully, this rule doesn’t apply if your mobile device is plugged in while you’re travelling on a bus, train, car or other “vessel”, as the TV licensing body puts it.
If you’ve got a second home, you’ll need a licence for it, unless you stick to watching TV on devices that are running on battery power (as explained above).
Caravans are covered by slightly different rules, depending on the type you own. Touring caravans are classed as vehicles, so watching TV in one of these is covered by your home TV licence. With static caravans, mobile homes or moveable chalets, however, you need to be a bit more careful. With these, you’ll need a full TV licence if the caravan is your main residence. If it’s not, your main home’s TV licence will only cover you as long as there’s no one else watching or recording live TV (or using iplayer) at the same time at your main licensed address. Plus, you’ll need to complete and submit a special non-simultaneous use declaration form, which you can download from www. snipca.com/33624.
It’s worth noting that students whose out-of-term address is their parents’ address and who only watch TV or iplayer on battery-powered devices are covered under their parents’ home TV licence.
Streaming iplayer abroad
It’s not currently possible to stream or download programmes on iplayer while you’re abroad, unless you use a VPN to make it look like you’re physically in the UK (this violates the BBC’S terms of use, although we’re not aware of anyone having got into trouble for doing so). This may change in the future, however.
According to the BBC, it’s “interested in being able to allow UK licence-fee payers to access BBC iplayer when they are abroad”, but technical and legal issues need to be overcome in order to do so (we suspect they’re talking about overseas rights).
For the time being, you can download iplayer programmes to your device before you leave the UK and watch them while you’re abroad (look for the Download button when browsing iplayer – see screenshot below). In terms of your TV licence, the same ‘away from home’ rules (as above) apply – in other words, you’re covered by your home licence, as long as the device you’re using isn’t plugged into the mains while you’re watching.