Do you need a t.v. licence to.....

[pillj123]

Watch stuff on a laptop,like BBC i player??
My elderly friend cannot afford to renew her licence,so is there another way to watch telly without a licence?Thanks in advance for any replies..I will phone her later with your ideas!

[daffy654]

You don't need one if you are watching catch up TV (BBC iPlayer for example). If you use your PC to view live TV feeds then you still need a licence.

[joggerjayne]

As I understand it ... (!) ...

You need a licence to use any device that is capable of receiving a television signal.

So if you have a telly, even if you don't watch TV programmes, and only watch DVDs, you need a licence.

But if you only use your lappy, even if you do watch TV programmes, you don't need a licence.

[daffy654]

Laptops can be capable of receiving TV signals JJ, they just need a TV card or dongle. If the laptop is fitted with either and they are being used then you need a licence.

[B00]

If they're over 75 their TV license is free.

[joggerjayne]

daffy ... yes, I'd agree with that.

A lappy fitted with a TV card is a "device that is capable of receiving a television signal"

[daffy654]

http://www.tvlicensin...ices-and-online-top8/

[pillj123]

Wow...that was quick....and all of you most helpful...now I too have learned something new! Thanks everyone.

[ethandron]

You can have as many tv's in your house as you want and don't need a licence if you never watch live tv, so if you only ever watch I player or equivalent, or use the tv to watch dvds,then you don't need a licence. Same applies to all other devices too.

[Ratty2E]

I watch 'live' tv on my laptop somtimes and that does come up with a warning that I should have a licence to watch it. IPlayer, itv player, 4od etc. content has been previouly shown and does not need one. I'm not sure how they could prove wether you are watching live tv or not on a computer without siezing it and taking it away for examination that's if they even have that power.

[commoner]

Even over 75s have to apply for the free licence..and if you have any device that is capable of receiving tv broadcasts then you must have a current licence....

To say you are only watching DVDs is NOT an excuse.

Here's a passage from the TV licensing authority web page...

"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.2

[Jemisa]

How old is your elderly friend? If he/she is 75 or older they don't need a TV licence no matter if they've got 10 TVs

jem

[ethandron]

Commoner, I'm afraid you're wrong.
You can have a tv, a laptop or any other device in your house which is capable of showing or recording live tv but if you only use it for watching iplayer or DVDs then you DON'T need a licence.
If you read all the sections of the link daffy gives, it clearly states this.

[ethandron]

Click on the bit that says 'how to tell us you're not watching ......'

[commoner]

Eth you are right...but....you will have seen also that not only do you have to fill in a declaration promising on your honour (!) that you will never watch or record a tv program but you will have a home visit to check your gear etc....and they will decide finally if you need a licence or not......they don't just take your word for it unfortunately .....mmmm.....;=)

[cathfromsaron]

ditto above, and did you know she can pay weekly?

cath x

[gollysailor]

Jemisa: Even here in jolly old London everybody watching telly requires a licence. If you're 75 or older it's free.

[ethandron]

My niece didn't get a home visit to check. Makes no difference if they do a visit or not though, if you're honest about it and genuinely don't watch tv as it's broadcast then you have nothing to fear.
To get back to the original question...yes, the elderly friend can watch her tv without a licence as long as its iplayer or the equivalent catch up on other channels.

[commoner]

"...didn't get a home visit" .....not yet perhaps.

But another quote..."Our officers may visit the licensed place at any time to check that our records are correct and inspect TV equipment."

IMHO...there are so many ifs and buts on this subject that I personally would not like to advise anyone to keep a television CAPABLE of viewing live programs..;-)

...be nice to know what you mean by "elderly" btw.......I'm 78 and hope for a few more years before classing myself as elderly...........<G>

[commoner]

should have quantified that with..."without having a current a licence"

[ethandron]

'twas the original poster who used the word elderly, I was merely responding to their question. I have no idea how old they are, or what age makes a person 'elderly', some folk are elderly all their lives, some never lose their youthful outlook :)
As for my niece, she gave up watching live tv four years ago, she and her husband listen to the radio, read or watch iplayer if there's something they want to see. It's not difficult or complicated, it's just another way of viewing tv and completely legal.