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DO I need a TV licence to watch BBC live online?

As the question says, i know iPlayer doesn't, but I wanted to watch a programme on BBC tonight, and wondered whether watching the BBC Live stream thing was illegal on my computer.

Reply 1

kizzz!

19

Yup, i'm afraid you need one for anything that's broadcast live. Usually a pop up comes up saying to check if you have a valid tv license before you watch it.

Reply 2

lizlaz350

16

Yeah, you need a license to watch live TV on your computer.
You don't need it for things like iPlayer.

Reply 3

Law123mus

11

FTstudies

As the question says, i know iPlayer doesn't, but I wanted to watch a programme on BBC tonight, and wondered whether watching the BBC Live stream thing was illegal on my computer.

You opened a can of worms there. Unfortunately I don't know the answer, but my guess would be no because you are paying to use the internet and you are watching it through an internet stream not through a digital or analog receiver.

Reply 4

dothestrand

10

If you're watching it on a laptop, and it's not plugged into the mains, you don't need one - it's covered by your licence at home, for some reason.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/

Indeed

Law123mus

You opened a can of worms there. Unfortunately I don't know the answer, but my guess would be no because you are paying to use the internet and you are watching it through an internet stream not through a digital or analog receiver.

Paying for the Internet has nothing to do with it. It's the Internet provider who receives the money from that. Not the BBC.

Even if you're watching it as a live broadcast you still need a licence, providing it actually is live. One exception being if you're watching it unplugged from the mains and your "main residence" (usually parents' house) is covered by a licence.

Whether they actually know you're watching it online (and don't have a licence) is another matter....

Reply 7

vhvhvh

You only need a television license if you intend to watch programmes as they are broadcast but technically (please do not take this as gospel as I am only about eighty per cent sure) you are unlikely to get caught for watching live programmes over the internet, especially if you do not own a television at your university address.

Reply 8

KingMessi

19

I think so-not for iplayer definitely, but yes for programmes live....

Reply 9

synergy1

9

Quoted from BBC website:

"You may not watch television programmes using BBC iPlayer on any device (including mobile phones, laptops and personal computers) at the same time (or virtually the same time) as the programmes are being broadcast, simulcast or otherwise made available to members of the public on television unless you have a valid television licence. For more information on this requirement please see Do I need a TV licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer? or you can contact TV Licensing by calling 0870 241 5590 or by visiting www.tvlicensing.co.uk/".

Reply 10

John@Staffs

dothestrand

If you're watching it on a laptop, and it's not plugged into the mains, you don't need one - it's covered by your licence at home, for some reason.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/

I believe that they intend for devices like handheld portable TVs, etc. to be covered by your home licence. I would imagine that the TV Licensing people would count your internet connection as an aerial, even if your laptop isn't plugged in.

Reply 11

Wednesday Bass

15

John@Staffs

I believe that they intend for devices like handheld portable TVs, etc. to be covered by your home licence. I would imagine that the TV Licensing people would count your internet connection as an aerial, even if your laptop isn't plugged in.

It may be intended to be like that - but it's a loophole in the rules that hasn't been closed. If you're watching live BBC on your uplugged laptop, you don't need a TV licence.

yes

Yes you would - apparently though it's only BBC you need to pay for, so if you wanted to watch another channel live you would be allowed to (this is only what I've heard, correct me if I'm wrong) - besides, it'll be on iPlayer not long after it finishes :wink:

Reply 14

JacksterD

9

Unplug it from the mains and you don't need a TV license as long as you live in a house which is covered by a TV License when you're not at uni.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/

Reply 15

Formerly LieDown

13

River85

Paying for the Internet has nothing to do with it. It's the Internet provider who receives the money from that. Not the BBC.

Even if you're watching it as a live broadcast you still need a licence, providing it actually is live. One exception being if you're watching it unplugged from the mains and your "main residence" (usually parents' house) is covered by a licence.

Whether they actually know you're watching it online (and don't have a licence) is another matter....

Is that both wi-fi and using an ethernet cable, or just wi-fi?

Reply 16

Reue

20

misst911

Yes you would - apparently though it's only BBC you need to pay for, so if you wanted to watch another channel live you would be allowed to (this is only what I've heard, correct me if I'm wrong)

You stand corrected.

It does not matter what channel you are streaming. Any live television requires a licence.

Reply 17

misst911

15

Reue

You stand corrected.

It does not matter what channel you are streaming. Any live television requires a licence.

Okay thanks for clearing that up :smile:

The money paid does go to the BBC though?

Reply 18

shadow99

14

Technically yes you do need a license, but in reality you will get away with it most of the time.

Reply 19

Trinitron

There is the possibilty that if you're suspected of watching live tv without a licence online, they could go to your ISP and ask for Bandwidth history, visited sites etc. But as stated, very unlikely.

And also don't forget that as well as your ISP, BT may well be able to see what's going down the line too, since they own it, although don't quote me on that.

DO I need a TV licence to watch BBC live online?

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