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by mytailorisrich 110 days ago
> 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.
2 comments
graemep 109 days ago
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

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mytailorisrich 109 days ago
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...

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IAmBroom 109 days ago
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.

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mytailorisrich 109 days ago
> 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...)

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nailer 109 days ago
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.
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PaulDavisThe1st 109 days ago
Are you suggesting that there's significant ambiguity about what "live TV" means?
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nailer 109 days ago
Yes. TNT shows live TV for example, last I checked they were produced by the UFC rather than BBC.
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PaulDavisThe1st 109 days ago
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.
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nailer 109 days ago
If the law intends this, this is specifically a very weird thing. Why would the law intend to make people pay the BBC to watch UFC?
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