In the UK? Got Broadband? Get a licence.

[deddard]

In another move to squeeze every last penny possible from UK citizens, it has now been decided that if you are in the UK and have a broadband connection which allows streaming video to be shown on your PC, you must purchase a Television Licence.

This has come about as streaming video is now available at the same time as live TV broadcasts, so some genius figured that it was another way to squeeze £131.50 out of those who don't currently have a TV licence.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5081350.stm

For those in the US (and other countries) who are completely baffled by this, the explanation is simple:
UK citizens are forced by law to purchase a 'receiving' licence every year in order to watch the television. These currently cost £131.50 ($243.66) per year.
The money actually gets paid to the BBC so they can keep running, and actually has nothing to do with the right to receive TV/Radio signals.

If you don't get a licence, you can face a £1000.00 fine.
:mad:

[Fred_Flintstone]

Don't get me started on TV licences!!.. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I think it's a travesty that we have to pay to receive the tripe and rubbish that always seems to be available on TV these days!! (I don't even like football).
It's just another back door taxation method used to raise revenue.. (bit on a par with speed cameras in my opinion).. :mad:

[ErnieK]

Also to enlarge upon deddards post.

There are two type of licences. Black and White and colour.

If you have a Black and White TV plus a video recorder you must pay for the colour licence because the video recorder is capable of revieving colour even though you can only view in B&W

If you telelvision is broken and incapable of revieving a direct signal you must still have a licence because you have a video recorder that is capable of recieving a colour signal.

Over the next 18 months or so the UK will be converting to DIGITAL signal and existing arial\antenna will not be able to picup th enew signal. But with an attachement (digi-box or sattelight dish) if you have a TV in the house you must have a colour licence because of the above capapbillity.

If you decide not to install a dig-box or satalite and are therefore incapable of recieving a signal, but have a TV with which to watch Video Tapes (home made, bought or rental) or DVD's (home made, bought or rental) you must have a licence due the above capabillity.

In other words we a royally screwed. Pay up or no home entertainment.

[deddard]

One of the major problems with this latest trick is that it will affect All BUSINESSES who have a broadband Internet connection.
I can just see your average business streaming video around all day - that's why they bought the PCs, routers and the broadband connection isn't it? not
using Word, emails, researching and selling stuff online.

I wonder how a 'receiving licence' which is actually enforced by law and only used to pay one company would fare under the scrutiny of the European Court of Justice/Human rights?

[david eaton]

Bear in mind that if you already have a television, then the same licence will cover broadband as well, except on a laptop used elsewhere unless it is NOT powered by the mains.