Has the TV licence changed?

I would assume not, I have often wondered that.

I do not know about Gen Z, but I have never watched tv, of any kind, very much, nor sport, nor gone to the cinema. When DH was travelling the tv wouldn''t be switched on at all in his absence. I would much rather read a book or listen to the radio. No value judgment, just prefer words to moving pictures.

So if you bought a second hand tv you wouldn’t be on their radar? I watch BBC, but I’m curious for those who don’t but watch other channels. Gen Z especially do not watch live tv and BBC has little appeal for them.

but if you ever watch any bbc programmes, even if not live, you need a licence.
you do not need a licence for bbc radio, or any other radio.

But if someone has a tv and it is not actually in use when the detector van comes round, that will not help.

That is why they work on the basis that if you have a tv you need a licence. All retailers have to send details of all purchasers of tvs to the licensing authority. www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/media-centre/news/as-online-tv-takes-off-NEWS8

When I worked for the GPO, many years ago, we were told that their detection vans could tell what channel someone was watching. I don`t know if that still applies.

Keeleklogger How can you prove it when the licensing people come to call?

What gets me about the TV licence is how can they prove you ARE watching TV channels and not Netflix etc ?? Always baffled me, well not always but has baffled me for some time.

I just ignore them.

As long as no live broadcasts are being viewed or recorded at your property they haven’t got a leg to stand on and you don’t owe them a penny.

Thanks for your input everyone.
I would never consider not getting a licence, but so many people seem to get away with not buying one.

Essentially, if you own a tv, you need a licence.

The tv licensing authorities are not interested in what channels you do or do not watch.

It always did cover all channels.

Their website says you need a licence to watch or stream live programmes on sites including Prime, youtube, sky etc

I haven't dug into their website just looked at their front page.
It is a very grey area, so will err on the side of caution.

I was just surprised that it now covers all channels.

it has not changed.
it was always the case that you had to have a TV licence, even if you never watched BBC.
it was for having/using a TV, not for watching BBC.
the situation now has extended to any watching of live TV as it is broadcast, on any equipment, or of watching any BBC even if after time of broadcast.
i may not have explained that clearly, sorry.
if she absolutely never watches any BBC, even after the time of broadcast, and she only watches other channels after the time of broadcast, then she will not need a TV licence.

If you stream pay for sites like Netflix and Prime you don’t need a licence. My daughter never watches live tv, BBC etc. and had a visit from the TV licence authority. She still isn’t paying a TV licence.

I can watch anything on my iPad on my licence as long as it’s not plugged in.

It’s a crazy system!