Prevent TV reception, but retain radio reception

[JBR]

Hi. An unusual request, perhaps, but I'd appreciate any help offered.

I am cancelling our TV licence and shall in future only watch programmes, films, etc, via our Amazon Firestick, along with recordings, DVDs, etc, via external PVRs.
I should also like to listen to radio via the TV.

In order not to contravene any rules, I'd like to disable any TV reception by the TV, but retain radio reception.

TV model: Sony KDL-55HX753

I intend to remove aerial cables from my two PVRs in order to disable TV reception and recording, but I'd prefer to leave the aerial cable to the TV in order to receive radio transmissions.

Unfortunately, I cannot see anything in the TV handbook (or online manual) to help me achieve this. The only other option I can see is to remove the aerial cable from the TV as well and make use of a separate radio, but I'd like to avoid this if possible.

Could anyone please advise me whether there is some means of preventing TV reception by the TV but retaining radio reception?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I thought you could effectively complete a disclaimer form online to do this now?

 

[Tigercubrider]

Can't you just delete the tv channels?
I don't know if it technically complies with the wording

 

[EddieM]

Would you be listening to any BBC stations? Actually, just checked, doesn't matter. Think that's changed though as I seem to remember you used to have to have a license to listen to BBC radio.

 

[mattylad]

Just detune the TV from any TV stations.
Unless you actually watch broadcast TV live then they cannot do zilch.
Your aerial being connected is not proof of you watching live tv, having the equipment capable of receiving it is not proof of it either.

You are perfectly entitled to use your equipment to watch your dvd's and streaming services as long as you are not watching something being broadcast live (or even within a few seconds of it).

Catch up TV is OK.

 

[Lucid]

Just be aware that the BBC have iPlayer under the same TV licence requirements as watching live TV.

John,
It's possible to use a diplex or triplex plate to split the TV and FM radio signals from two aerials if your TV has FM reception built in and (of course) you have an FM aerial rigged up.

The sidebands carrying the radio service as part of Freeview come as part of the TV signal. AFAIK, it's not possible to filter in the same kind of way without removing the radio stations as well.

 

[mattylad]

When I try using my tv to listen to the radio it still displays something on screen, I dont want to leave a static image on screen for a long time.

 

[Tigercubrider]

I'd buy a radio....
An Internet one might help

 

[JBR]

Thanks for all your helpful replies.

I did try to complete a disclaimer form online but, no, that would be too easy for the TV Licence people to permit. I tried several online options without success but eventually telephoned them and persuaded the gentleman that we don't want to watch live TV or catch-up. I have until the end of tomorrow to 'vacate' myself!

I did begin to delete all the TV stations, but I gave up when I realised that 250 or so individually would take me until doomsday!

Yes, I'm not going to take down my aerials (I have two for some reason). It is possible that I may eventually need them again.

Of course, I realise that I shall still be permitted to watch recordings on PVRs, DVDs, catch-up and everything non-BBC offered on Firestick as long as it isn't live. That's no problem. We can even watch Coronation Street the minute the live broadcast has ended!

In fact, I have now decided to avoid lots of pointless messing about trying to delete TV stations or even delete them all from the TV or PVRs, and not bother with radio on the TV either. 'Marge' has an 'Echo Dot' which is great for listening to radio (among other things).
I'm going to unplug all aerial cables from the TV and PVRs tomorrow, but leave the HDMI cables connected of course. I think that will be sufficient.

Thanks again for all the very helpful advice. Much more than I was expecting, to be honest.

 

[winston1]

I can never understand why people get so uptight about the TV licence. It is one of the smaller bills. I pay more than the annual TV licence in council tax every month. It is certainly much cheaper than sky and so much better value as well.

 

[big-all]

yes i agree for the cost off around 43p a day its good value and there is far better ways to save money
but hey ho we are all different
another point worth noting
if you have anyone away in full time education your licence covers them at there residence

 

[bernardgreen]

if you have anyone away in full time education your licence covers them at there residence

from https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1

A university halls communal licence won’t cover your room. But you may be covered by your parents’ licence. If you think you are, please check that all of the following are true before telling us you don’t need one:

• Your out-of-term address (parents’ address) is covered by a TV Licence
• AND you only use TV receiving equipment that is powered solely by its own internal batteries
• AND you have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains.

What if I live in a house or flat share?

• If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room, you’ll need your own TV Licence too.
• If you have a joint tenancy agreement for an entire house or flat, you’ll probably need one licence to cover the whole property.

 

[bernardgreen]

It gets worse

I am cancelling our TV licence and shall in future only watch programmes, films, etc, via our Amazon Firestick, along with recordings, DVDs, etc, via external PVRs.
I should also like to listen to radio via the TV.

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home
The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.
This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

 

[leegsi]

It gets worse



https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home
The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.
This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

Amazon and Netflix dont air anything live.

Its only if you are watching it as its aired.

We haven't watched live tv for about 10 years, Just every 2 years you get an email asking if anything has changed and to make your deceleration again that then lasts for another 2 years.


Also it makes no difference if you can receive the channels or not. As long as you declare you dont watch live tv.

 

[ericmark]

Seems odd there is another post with basic same question, I know the requirements for TV licences have changed, but think the law refers to broadcast not live TV, although in many ways they are the same.

But big question is how do you know if broadcast or peer to peer?

I started using a website called catch up TV, mainly as no aerial lead to room, and I could not start when I wanted, but it started it seemed as a set time, it was clear the programs were broadcast not peer to peer, so licence required, not a problem for me, I have a licence.

Maybe because I am a radio ham I am very aware of difference between broadcast and peer to peer.

As to radio only well yes I do receive radio only from the satellite dish, however I need to either remember the numbers, or turn TV on to tune in, I have an optical to phono converter connecting my SkyQ box to my audio centre, so I can get radio without the TV screen being lit. However living in Llanfair Caereinion TV and radio are poor and many channels non existent, so we bought 5 Nest Mini's last Christmas, I will not say they are the bee's knees, but as far as radio goes, they are great, I simply say hay google play radio 4 and it does. It streams from internet.

So be it a freeview or satellite set top box you can get radio without the TV being on, with many of my satellite boxes you can delete programs you don't want, so you could set up either while you still have TV licence or in some house where they have a licence the radio programs in an order you know. Just turned on my TV, 1916 channels that is a lot of sorting to do, but it is possible.

The law did require a licence to have equipment able to receive broadcast TV even if not being used, and even if you only had a black and white TV, if you had a colour video recorder you needed a colour licence, I think this has all changed, and now OK to have them, it is the using that matters. So now I can use a TV as a computer monitor without a TV licence.

But using the internet is a problem, U tube I am reasonably sure is OK without a TV licence, but some video you can watch is broadcast, so would need a licence.