Set TV to watch Freeview (& Other Free Channels) Only

[mattylad]

A smart TV will have all the apps on that you can use to watch catchup TV streamed to you.

Some misconceptions being posted here.

As long as your not watching anything broadcast live then you do not need the license, the ability to receive live broadcast tv also does not need a license (ref Big-All's comment).
This also means you CAN use a streaming service such as Netflix, Prime-TV, Apple TV, Paramount et all. as long as you are not watching anything that is being broadcast at the same time.

It is only the act of watching tv shows at the same time as they are being broadcast that requires a license irrespective of the source.
Even if it's broadcast from overseas.

For a TV, I would suggest NOT a Hisense one, they sound like a good deal but I have found mine to be so very restricted (cannot sideloads apps not from their store), keeps losing net connection on Freely, sound is awful and if you have the soundbar you do not get a volume number display).

Even if you do occasionally watch live TV with the curtains closed, cancelling your license or just not getting one you will need to let the TVLI know that you do not need one, please note that they will hound you with regular demands, lies, mistruths and investigation letters.
You may even get the occasional visit - if you open the door to them, once you know who they are just say "no thank you" and close the door - they have no legal right to enter your home nor inspect your equipment and NEVER sign anything from them.
Ensure everyone in the house is aware of this else someone may unknowingly let them in.

We watch more and more on catchup these days since we got rid of sky - there is not enough time in the evening to watch everything we want to watch. If it was not for the BBC still occasionally putting out some good TV worth watching we would not need a license.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If you don't want to pay for a TV licence, you can't watch anything on Freeview.

They are now including some Internet only channels, in the Freeview channel line up, they only work, if the TV has Internet access. I wonder what the legalities would be around watching those?

 

[Nitell]

Accelerator, you were not compelled to answer my question. You could have ignored it.

It is only because (on the internet) I have read so many opinions, I was only seeking advice on this forum.

To everyone else. Thank you.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Accelerator, you were not compelled to answer my question. You could have ignored it.

It is only because (on the internet) I have read so many opinions, I was only seeking advice on this forum.

To everyone else. Thank you.

Accelerator, made a perfectly fair comment, in reponse to Foxholes suggestion to use the service and simply not pay up.

 

[JBR]

If you don't want to pay for a TV licence, then you must abandon any way of watching live TV. This means no TV aerial, no satellite dish+receiver, no cable TV box (Virgin), and being very careful with internet-supplied TV.

Nonsense. You may not legally watch any live TV, but you are not obliged to remove your TV aerial or, for that matter, dishes, etc. You simply have to promise that you do not watch any live TV.
Do try to get your fact right.

 

[JBR]

Or just don’t pay tv licence , my brother in law and my brother have never had tv licence and never been fined , they just shut the door on anyone making enquires .

That is exactly what many people do. Before the oncoming BBC criticisms, Marge actually does pay the BBC licence.

 

[Lucid]

Nonsense. You may not legally watch any live TV, but you are not obliged to remove your TV aerial or, for that matter, dishes, etc. You simply have to promise that you do not watch any live TV.
Do try to get your fact right.

Before you launch into a criticism of someone's post, you really should take a little time to make sure you've read it carefully.

Where did I say (or write) that aerials and satellite dishes etc had to be dismantled? It's okay, I'll wait.

To abandon doesn't mean that the thing has to be destroyed or decommissioned.

I abandoned Sky's satellite subscription service several years ago. To the best of my knowledge, Sky is still trading. The main box and dish here still work, too, just not for the subscription channels.

Do try to get your facts right before you lambast a fellow forum member. Thank you.