If i used computer to download programmes i wanted to watch, can i get rid of TV and pay no TV license?

Question

i was wondering, if it was possible as i would not need a ariel would i to watch the two or three programmes i actually like

would i have to have a tv license if i didnt actually own a tv

thanks for your answers

x*x vici

Answer 1

Any device that is capable of receiving a TV program is deemed a "television receiving equipment, such as a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV".  You can't get round it. You don't need an aerial. As long as there is a picture, even from a foreign satellite channel. Only if there's NO picture, can you escape paying.

Answer 2

Everyone in the UK has to pay TV License wether you own a TV or not

Answer 3

I wouldn't think so. You'd have to prove that you can't receive a TV signal at all, so that probably means taking all the TVs out of your house, and since some PCs are also capable of receiving live streams now, that would also count as you getting a TV signal - especially with the digial switchover.

Answer 4

No TV=no license FACT..

Answer 5

if you get your programmes from your computer and you do not have a tv in your house.you will not have to pay a tv

license.

Answer 6

According to TV Licensing, "You need a TV licence to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV" (that is to say, at the time they are being broadcast). If you watch or record TV programmes as they are being broadcast then it doesn't matter whether you use a television set or a computer or a mobile telephone ... you'll still need a TV licence.

On the other hand, if you watch the programmes later using recordings made by someone else then they don't count, because then you're not watching them "as they are being shown on TV".

You don't need to get rid of your television set: you can unplug the aerial so that the set is no longer installed for receiving television programmes. (To make a point you can cut the aerial cable so that it can't reach the television set.)

The question is whether watching any television programmes as they being broadcast is worth £135.50 each year. You can buy or rent a lot of DVDs for that money, and you can watch them at times to suit yourself, as distinct from having your entertainment scheduled for you by the television companies. The news you can get freely from BBC Radio and from the BBC web site, neither of which obliges you to have a TV licence.

Answer 7

if you have no television you don't have to pay a television licence, even if you have a television Ariel,  so long as you do get rid of it and do not use it to download programmes to your computer or laptop.

Answer 8

You are right.

I have a friend who does this. As long as you make sure that you have no usable ariel wire or socket.

He cut his one off half way up the wall in his flat and when he got a visit they could visibly see he has no usable  ariel or dish.

You will get hassled a bit at first but legally theres nothing they can do.