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ItvBe
snagglepus
27-01-2015
I have just noticed this channel on ItvPlayer on my Roku box. It is described as "live Tv". Does this mean I will now need a tv licence.
I bought the Roku box as I thought with it only having Catch Up and On Demand services there was no need for a Tv licence.
I have no other Tv connection.
-GONZO-
27-01-2015
If you watch any form of 'Live TV' then yes you require a TV License.
If you have no intention of watching it then just delete the app if your able.
ovbg
28-01-2015
It's not just ITV Be, all ITV channels are streamed live on the Roku box.

However, what you are asking does present an interesting question.

Traditionally, any TV that could pick up ITV, could pick up the BBC as well. As the TV license only financially supports the BBC (none of the money goes to other networks), it still didn't matter if people never "tuned into" the BBC as the TV could technically still be tuned at another state.

But the Roku player can not "tune into" the BBC at all - under the standard apps from the app store (unless I don't know of an app that can). So the argument could still be that the Roku player doesn't qualify as a proper television (presuming the monitor is not a normal TV).

Oh... a slight problem with this is that FilmOn have a "private" Roku app which does indeed allow live BBC, so that could throw a spanner into that idea...

Still, I really don't understand why some people try so hard not to pay the TV license. The whole reason such a tiny country like the UK stands up so high around the world for the output of their television industry is because of the TV license and the BBC itself.

I know some people feel because they don't watch it, then why should they pay for it, but that argument can be asked about tax in general... I never needed (yet) the fire department, so why should my taxes pay for their upkeep? (some parts of the US are like this, where if you don't pay private fire insurance, the fire department will not put out your house fire and let your home burn to the ground). Or, because I don't have kids, why should my taxes pay for schools? I don't drive, why should my taxes pay for roads etc.

The BBC license fee is like this, but better than a tax - because if it were a tax, then the incumbent government could get their dirty little fingers in and turn it into what their political ideologies would like.

Anyway...
-GONZO-
28-01-2015
Originally Posted by ovbg:
“
Traditionally, any TV that could pick up ITV, could pick up the BBC as well. As the TV license only financially supports the BBC (none of the money goes to other networks), it still didn't matter if people never "tuned into" the BBC as the TV could technically still be tuned at another state.

But the Roku player can not "tune into" the BBC at all - under the standard apps from the app store (unless I don't know of an app that can). So the argument could still be that the Roku player doesn't qualify as a proper television (presuming the monitor is not a normal TV).
”

The thing is a lot of people use the BBC part as an excuse as to why they shouldn't pay, but the law states that any device that is used to watch Live TV requires a TV License.
Just because the BBC is funded by the TVL means very little as its not a BBC license its a TV License.
Quote:
“Do I need a TV Licence if I only watch programmes online?

It makes no difference how you watch TV whether it's on your laptop, PC or mobile phone or through a digital box, DVD recorder or TV set. If you use any device to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV the law requires you to be covered by a TV Licence. You can buy a TV Licence online.
You will not need a TV Licence to view video clips on the internet as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time as you are viewing it.”

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ95
ovbg
28-01-2015
Originally Posted by -GONZO-:
“The thing is a lot of people use the BBC part as an excuse as to why they shouldn't pay, but the law states that any device that is used to watch Live TV requires a TV License.
Just because the BBC is funded by the TVL means very little as its not a BBC license its a TV License.”

Agreed, you are correct.

My point was just regarding the wording of that regulation. It was created at a time when any device that could view ITV, could also view the BBC. There was no TV back then that was made with only an ITV tuner.

But the Roku sort of changes that. Until ITV changed their Player, it could not stream live TV at all, now it can. So as the OP asked, does this mean he now has to pay the TV license because his device can stream TV - even if it is just ITV. As you say, according to the wording, it now seems he must.

But it would be an interesting case to look at legally.
-GONZO-
28-01-2015
Originally Posted by ovbg:
“
But it would be an interesting case to look at legally.”

I found the last paragraph of what I quoted quite interesting as it brings up another legal quandary.
Quote:
“You will not need a TV Licence to view video clips on the internet as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time as you are viewing it.”

So if say I don't have a TV License and I'm watching an episode of a program on Netflix but there is also a repeat of that same program being broadcast on a TV channel at the same time, does that then make it a legal requirement to have a license?
It would probably get thrown out, but as you say the wording implies it could be an issue.
artesea
28-01-2015
Originally Posted by ovbg:
“But the Roku sort of changes that. Until ITV changed their Player, it could not stream live TV at all, now it can. So as the OP asked, does this mean he now has to pay the TV license because his device can stre”

As long as you don't watch the live tv you are fine. http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-i...nd-online-top8
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