Im really confused with the law in the uk about watching tv shows online?

Question

i was wondering what is the situation regarding watching tv shows on websites like surf the channel, mega video and todou, is it illegal if your only streaming it and not downloading cos i dont want to get a hefty fine.

thanks

Answer 1

its downloading stuff they don,t like but just watching is ok

Answer 2

watching streaming video can be just as illegal as downloading an entire tv show. It's all about whether the source of the video has the rights to distribute it.

Answer 3

Ok to watch. Not okay to download without paying for it

Answer 4

The simple answer for you as the watcher is that it is totally legal. NOT VERY ETHICAL!! but legal none the less, its the provider who is in the wrong, its like the message you get at the start of a DVD "this is for personal viewing only", if that person then shows it at a social gathering, it is not the people attending who are in trouble, it is the person providing the movie., so to watch online is legal, but like the other guys said, if any part of the programme gets saved on your harddriver then you will be in trouble

Answer 5

if you want to watch a show online, just don't download it and make sure it's actually the networks website

sites like abc entitle you to watch whole episodes of shows online, legally

you should also try bbc i-player