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Save cash: don't pay the BBC licence fee |
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February 2009 |
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 Misc |
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Like vampires, the TV Licensing people cannot enter your home unless you invite them in. But even if they do threaten you for not having bought a TV licence, it doesn't matter, as it is only required if watching or recording live TV. By instead using the iPlayer’s on demand /catch up service, you are not breeching any regulations and can continue to exploit this loophole until something major changes in the BBC’s broadcast policy. A “broadband tax” has been proposed and could be government sanctioned, but for now is on the horizon. Basically, the TV licence still exists under the assumption that enough people will continue to use their live TV set rather than by using their internet connection and PC to watch BBC programming. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is not allowed, as back in 2008 a BBC blog entry discussed the iPlayer and the circumstances in which a TV license might be necessary, going on to remark that any future versions of the software that include a live streaming service (which it now does) would require the viewer to purchase a TV license. This is misleading and, again, is based on the assumption you intend to watch the iPlayer’s live feature although plain old catch up is just as good, if not better, and free to use. For clarity’s sake here it is once more: you only need a TV licence if you watch live BBC broadcasts. The same principle applies to a television set: I can own one, but don’t have to pay the BBC license if I’m not watching the BBC. Similarly, I can avoid paying road tax on my car as long I am not driving or parking it on the street. My point being, if I do cheekily tune into live BBC services knowing I’m evading the fee, I might then deserve to be kidnapped naked in the night and hauled before a judge. Otherwise I’m innocent. If Eastenders is on BBC1 at 8:00pm, wait half an hour or so, until it appears on the iPlayer’s catch up service, and legitimately watch the programme safe in the knowledge it isn’t a live broadcast and that you are in the clear. The BBC have actually shot themselves in the foot by giving us the iPlayer. Idiots. Not everyone flops down on the sofa in front of the telly anyway, preferring to pick and choose what they want to see online after the programmes have aired. I know the £139.50 annual fee is too much for the few hours of content I actually like, and the same idea applies to my mobile phone and my reasons for not having a contract – I don’t need one because alternative, cheaper methods exist if I need to call or text someone. Do away with your TV set, get a huge monitor, set up a computer and connect to the internet. This way, you can watch all the channels via catch up whenever you like. Be careful you don't go over your ISP’s download limit though, as this ironically could end up costing more than the BBC licence fee. Another thing – should you be unfortunate enough to receive them, ignore the monthly letters which will undoubtedly escalate into all sorts of meaningless threats including the melodramatic prospect of a court appearance. If you do not watch live BBC broadcasts, they can do nothing. Tips
Useful links Malicious Communications Act 1988
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