BBC TV Licensing for a computer at home ?

[gingerjedi]

I'm a supporter of the BBC but needing a licence for having a broadband connection just in case you watch something the BBC chooses to broadcast via the internet is a step too far.

Why not just stop the BBC broadcasting live on the internet? It’s impossible to enforce anyway as they would have to catch you in the act to prosecute.

I know a family who chose not to have a TV, their 3 year old hardly speaks so I don't know if it was such a good decision from a development point of view? It’s funny that the dad is the one who introduced me to live premiership football via the internet so I wonder who made the decision to ditch the box?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Although I'm (reasonably) happy to cough up my licence fee (mostly for radio actually), it appears to me that there wouldn't be an earthly chance of getting caught and prosecuted if I decided not to bother paying any more, provided I took a few simple precautions.

I've read some stuff that suggests detector vans don't actually have any such thing in them, and it would make sense if you think about it - especially in high population density areas - how would they prove exactly what was being watched by whom?

It's of academic interest as I don't mind paying, and I think it's ironic that Noel Edmunds thinks it's fine to give up paying now he's had zillions from the BBC over the years.

[dx4100]

As long as you're not watching one of the 'live' programs that they now show (on iPlayer at least). I notice you don't get warned about that particular pitfall.

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.u.../simul_license

Your right....

[Peoplesoft bloke]

From BBC iPlayer help -

You do not need a television licence to watch programmes on the current version of BBC iPlayer.

You will need to be covered by a TV licence if and when the BBC provides a feature that enables you to watch 'live' TV programmes on any later version of BBC iPlayer, which has this option. Your TV licence for your home address will cover your use of the BBC iPlayer in your home (and outside the home if you use BBC iPlayer on a laptop or any other device which is powered solely by its own internal batteries).

A 'live' TV programme is a programme, which is watched or recorded at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to members of the public. As a general rule, if a person is watching a programme on a computer or other device at the same time as it is being shown on TV then the programme is 'live'. This is sometimes known as simulcasting.

You cannot currently watch 'live' TV programmes as part of BBC iPlayer, however, we hope to offer this function in the future.

[NickFitz]

So, all this content provided by the BBC that one can get "for free" via iPlayer, the web site, et cetera.

I wonder what pays for the creation of that content, and of the infrastructure and applications necessary to deliver it to you?

You don't suppose it could be... no, surely not...



Morons

[NotAllThere]

Although I'm (reasonably) happy to cough up my licence fee (mostly for radio actually), ...

Do you live in the UK? AFAIK, you've not needed a license for a radio for years.

[Sysman]

It's the Government that makes the laws and associated regulations, not the BBC.

l

the Government responding to lobbying from the RIAA

[Sysman]

Why not just stop the BBC broadcasting live on the internet? It’s impossible to enforce anyway as they would have to catch you in the act to prosecute.

Why do you think that the Beeb didn't have this (needing a licence to watch over the net) in mind when put a large investment into iPlayer and its associated DRM clutter?

[cojak]

I'm with Peoplesoft bloke on this one.

Since I'm on the BBC website very regularly, I don't mind paying the fee since it must spend a decent chunk of it on the web.

I don't agree with bully boy tactics to obtain it, however...

[NetwkSupport]

Should have punched his lights out, called the coppers and said he forced entry into your home.

No one has a right to enter your home, not even a debt collector. Only a court appointed baliff and even then they have to come round and give you notice before forcing entry (if necessary).

Did you get this tw@@'s name? You could raise a complaint.