tv licence laws

[shelby45]

if I had no tv (so no tv licence) am I allowed to watch tv catch-up etc., on the internet. Also, why do I not need a tv licence to watch tv in my holiday caravan which I own???

[Rollo]

You need a licence if you watch "live" TV broadcasts on a computer. But you don't need a licence to view "catch up" programs, like those on the BBC iplayer.

A TV licence only covers one address. So even if you had one for your home address it would not cover you in your caravan.

[shelby45]

well, thanks for that. I have had my caravan for 25 years and the subject NEVER occored to me until today...how strange!!

[Rollo]

Unless your caravan is a static one, with an address on the royal mail data base, you are unlikely to get caught watching TV unless a detector van happens by.

[kempie]

If your second home is a static caravan, mobile home or moveable chalet, and you use TV receiving equipment there at the same time as TV receiving equipment is being used in your main licensed home, you need a separate TV Licence to cover your second home.

However, if the TV in your static caravan, mobile home or moveable chalet is never in use at the same time as the TV in your main home, you don't need a separate licence. But you do need to complete a declaration form and return it to TV Licensing.

If your second home is a boat or touring caravan or vehicle, and you use TV receiving equipment to watch or record TV there, you don't need a separate TV Licence. You will be covered by the TV Licence for your main home.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/secon dhome.jsp

[Buenchico]

You're allowed to watch TV on the internet as long as it's only a 'catch up' service. If you watch a programme that is being broadcast simultaneously you require a licence:
http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlic ensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24ht tp%3a%2f%2fapi.transversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjec tref%2fEntryStore%2fEntry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.m etafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMetafaq%2fClients%2ftvlic ensing%2fModules%2flicensingInfo%2fTopics%2fge neral%3a137849%3a6&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensi ngInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=OL2R11164F7LNB7G PM7FDI1D4E

Watching TV in your holiday caravan does require a licence. If you'd got a licence for your home address (and your home TV and the caravan TV were never in use simultaneously) your home TV licence would also cover the caravan (as long as you completed the relevant declaration form to declare such dual use). But, since you've not got a licence at your home address, you're breaking the law by watching TV, without a licence, in your caravan:
http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlic ensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24ht tp%3a%2f%2fapi.transver

[Rollo]

Yes kempie, but it appears that shelby does not have a licence for his main address.

[kempie]

shelby45 did not state that there was no licence for the main address but asked about the situation "If I had no TV...?"

[Rollo]

Ah, yes, you are right there. Sorry.

[Coobeastie]

Apparently the BBC are getting itchy feet over the use of on line catch up services to circumnavigate paying the licence fee so don't be surprised if in the future you either have to pay for the service or provide proof of having a licence.

http://www.paidcontent.co.uk/entry/419-bbc-tru st-says-license-fee-for-online-tv-is-unclear/

[stoofur]

Surely the BBC have gone to the expense of setting up the Iplayer. Isn't it a bit "wrong" to use the service and not pay the licence fee?

[Bedsit-Bob]

stoofur said "Isn't it a bit "wrong" to use the service and not pay the licence fee?"

No more than classic car drivers using the roads, but not paying anything for their VEL.