BBC TV Licensing for a computer at home ?

**minestrone** · 8 December 2008, 19:15

A TV card counts as a TV.

I bought one and had to give my address over.

**VectraMan** · 8 December 2008, 19:20

Originally posted by juststarting View Post

Just had a guy in my home , who told me he worked for the government ( I assumed this is about the BBC TV licensing. )

You let a guy in your home without finding out what it was about?

**juststarting** · 8 December 2008, 19:22

According to this link BBC thinks you have to PAY for ANY Internet LIVE Television that is broadcast within the UK . - Is that so ?

"
The TV Licensing Authority says you need a licence to watch any TV station broadcasting within the UK on your computer.

However, you are free to watch archived programmes or downloadable clips without a licence.
"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5081350.stm

**juststarting** · 8 December 2008, 19:26

Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

You let a guy in your home without finding out what it was about?

Yeah I am angry with myself.

He rang on the door saying "We have a letter for you". I fell for that. I am such idiot - letter at 19.00 ??!?!

Then he comes at the door , tells me he is from TV Licensing. Without further a due he passes me and enters the flat . Then he started harassing me to pay the fee since I had a PC. He did not clarify whether it was BBC Live streams I had to be watching to be liable for the fee. In fact he said "If you watch LIVE TV".

I lied. I do watch online TV but not BBC. As far as I know this is a BBC-only thing not ANY Internet TV as this guy and seemingly this implies http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/informa...ndex.jsp#link1

**dinker** · 8 December 2008, 19:27

Enforcement officers work for Capita, they have no right of entry.

**gingerjedi** · 8 December 2008, 19:38

So anyone that has a broadband connection needs a TV license? Yeah right, nice try BBC.

**chris79** · 8 December 2008, 19:40

Personally I would have refused him entry, and if he entered I would have called the coppers.

**expat** · 8 December 2008, 19:44

Originally posted by juststarting View Post

Yeah I am angry with myself.

He rang on the door saying "We have a letter for you". I fell for that. I am such idiot - letter at 19.00 ??!?!

Then he comes at the door , tells me he is from TV Licensing. Without further a due he passes me and enters the flat . Then he started harassing me to pay the fee since I had a PC. He did not clarify whether it was BBC Live streams I had to be watching to be liable for the fee. In fact he said "If you watch LIVE TV".

I lied. I do watch online TV but not BBC. As far as I know this is a BBC-only thing not ANY Internet TV as this guy and seemingly this implies http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/informa...ndex.jsp#link1

He had no right to do that.

On the link you provide, I can see no reference to "BBC only". AFAIK (and as per linked page) you need a licence if you watch live TV, i.e. watch programmes as they are shown on TV.

I would not think that you are under any obligation to tell them what you do, and I wouldn't (I am guessing that one day it will become payable to watch TV anytime on a PC, not just live, so it would be a shame to have admitted that). I suppose you are actually not obliged to assert that you don't do anything in particular either, that is, you don't even have to tell him that you don't watch TV. "Get out of my house immediately or I will call the police" is really all you need.

**minestrone** · 8 December 2008, 19:45

I would have punched him, told the coppers he barged in and that I was scared for my safety.

BBC TV Licensing for a computer at home ?