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Long gone are the days of the simple 4-5 channels, live, with advertising. This was simple. We had to pay out for a TV License to gain access to this. However, we now live in a multimedia age with more than one, or even two ways to stream our content.
Since 2014 when 12% of the population used a Smart TV, we are now at a staggering 38%. From March 2017, statistics from the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB) shows that approximately 95% of the UK’s homes possess a TV license, with 294,126 addresses having more than one.
So, do you actually need this extra financial pay-out?
To sum it up, you need to be covered by a TV license to:
- Watch or record any live TV on any channel
- Download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer, whether this is live, catch-up or on demand.
Surprisingly, this also includes doing any of the above on a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, games console or tablet.
What is Meant By ‘Live’ TV?
When we refer to live television this is anything which you watch or record which is being shown at that exact time of broadcasting. This is anything from the evening showing of Coronation Street to the Saturday live edition of X Factor. It’s not just live events such as sports or news, so don’t forget about the live programmes being broadcast such as soaps, documentaries, series and movies.
If you would like further information on what is classed as Live TV, you can see the official TV Licensing website here.
When Don’t I Need a TV License Then?
You don’t need to pay your TV License if you don’t ever watch or record any live TV and never download or watch BBC programmes, on iPlayer or on the TV, live, catch up or on demand. This isn’t just TV on your TV, it is on all other devices.
You don’t need a license if you do only the following (use this as a checklist):
- Watch on demand or catch up on services apart from BBC iPlayer
- Stream, rent or buy movies from providers such as Sky, Virgin, BT TV, Netflix or Amazon
- Play internet video clips and stream through services such as YouTube
- Watch DVDs, Blue-rays and videos
If you stick to the likes of Netflix and Amazon, Now TV or any other subscription channels and DON’T watch live TV, you won’t need a license. However, if you watch live TV on any of these then you will. BBC is always an exception.
At Electronic World, we provide a range of TVs for any purpose! We have Smart TVs which you could stream all the non-live TV you like. Take a look at our range here.
