[graemep]

Its a hypothocated tax.

Its not required to "look at a screen". its required to watch broadcast TV and use the BBc's online TV services. You can watch as much as you like on Youtube or Netflix or whatever without paying it.

it was very good value for money when half of all TV output (and the better half) was from the BBC and ad free.

[mytailorisrich]

> You can watch as much as you like on Youtube or Netflix or whatever without paying it.

Careful here because there is live TV on Youtube and a valid licence is required to watch that. There are also live shows on Netflix, which may count as "live TV programmes" so requiring a licence.

[graemep]

It has to be television. So i think it depends on the particular live stream you watch - e.g. one that is also on a TV channel at the same time.

https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ33

The example given by TV licensing is Sky News. it has to be part of a "television programme"

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/part/4

[mytailorisrich]

Yes, you highlight that a TV livence may be required for some content on Youtube. It is apparently also required for some content (live) on Netflix [1]. For example it seems that WWE Raw, which is live and on Netflix is deemed "live TV" [1]:

"Services include YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and more. Live TV or events can include:

Champions League matches or live channels on Amazon Prime Video

WWE or NFL events on Netflix

News or sports channels on YouTube"

It's a bit of a mess...

[1] https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/w...

[IAmBroom]

You're moving the goalposts.

Watching non-live BBC programmes in the UK legally requires a license fee. The same is not true of Netflix.

[mytailorisrich]

> Watching non-live BBC programmes in the UK legally requires a license fee. The same is not true of Netflix.

Agreed but this is not what I commented on (no goalpost moved...)

[nailer]

The way it’s worded it is that any thing that could be deemed “live TV” is liable for the tax regardless of who produced the content.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

Are you suggesting that there's significant ambiguity about what "live TV" means?

[nailer]

Yes. TNT shows live TV for example, last I checked they were produced by the UFC rather than BBC.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

The UK law is specifically designed to cover this. It's not some weird thing. Any "live TV" requires a license even if you watch it via streaming services.