What happens if you lie about having a TV Licence on BBC iPlayer?

If you watch BBC content over the internet without a TV licence then you have committed a criminal offence for that alone but lying about having a TV licence, by clicking to say that you have a TV licence when you do not, means that you have also committed fraud (which is an even more serious criminal offence than …

Why does BBC iPlayer ask if you have a TV license?

This is because: You only need a TV licence if you watch or record TV as it’s being broadcast or use iPlayer – if you only use other catch-up sites, you don’t need one. A rule that came into force in September 2016 means you need a licence to legally use BBC iPlayer, even if you’re only watching catch-up TV.

Do I need a TV license even if I don’t watch BBC?

You don’t need a TV Licence if you never watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel, or live on an online TV service, and you never download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

Can TV Licensing detect Internet?

No, the BBC can’t drive up your street and sense that you’re using iPlayer. And it probably never could tell if you were watching TV. Previously, a licence was required to watch live programmes on iPlayer, in just the same way as if you watched them using a TV aerial, but not if you watched them later.

Is it illegal to watch BBC iPlayer without a TV Licence?

Yes. You must be covered by a TV Licence (including a free over 75 licence) to download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use. You don’t need a licence to watch S4C TV on demand on BBC iPlayer.

Can you get caught without TV license?

If you’ve been caught using equipment that can receive a television signal without a TV Licence, legally, you can and will be prosecuted.

What can I legally watch without a TV Licence?

Without a licence, you can legally watch:

• Netflix.
• YouTube.
• Amazon Prime.
• DVDs/Blurays.
• Non-BBC catch-up including ITV Player, Channel 4 on-demand, as long as it’s NOT live.

How does TV license detection work?

They work by detecting the electromagnetic signature that your television gives off. They are so accurate that they can tell you where in the house the TV is, and they can indeed see the channel you are watching.

How do they catch you without TV Licence?

National Database And if an address doesn’t have a license, they can legally knock on its door in order to gather further information from the resident about any, and all devices in the property that are capable of receiving a television signal.

How many people don’t have a TV licence in the UK?

Last year, there were about 26.2 million TV licences in use in the UK. About 7\% of people who need a licence do not have one. The government is now considering decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee by 2022.

How does TV Licensing check if you have an iPlayer licence?

It is understood that TV Licensing currently uses technology, letters and visits to unlicensed households to check whether households have a licence and enforce the law. The government’s White Paper asked the BBC to consider the cost and feasibility of a verification or sign-in system for iPlayer.

Do you need a TV licence to watch TV shows on Netflix?

So, for example, someone watching a live football match on a non-BBC channel via a laptop, would still need a TV licence. But a licence fee is not needed to view BBC programmes on other streaming services, like Netflix. So, downloading Gavin & Stacey on Netflix would not require a TV licence, whereas downloading the same episode on iPlayer would.

Can you go to jail for not having a TV licence?

No one has been imprisoned for not having a TV licence, that’s a straight-up lie. A vanishingly small number of people have been imprisoned for persistent non payment of fines. Or don’t.