Written by Cigpapers
Photos, Captions and Video Links by Watt Tyler
There is a resistance to the BBC TV Licence growing across the UK, so here’s some facts for those thinking of joining it.
1. What Is The BBC TV Licence:
The TV Licence fee funds public broadcasting by the BBC, allowing it to allegedly run a politically impartial TV and Radio service. The current colour TV Licence Fee is £145:50 per year (a black and white TV Licence is £49:00 per year) . The fee makes up about 75% of the BBC’s income – the BBC are very secretive about where the other 25% comes from.
Here’s a Freedom Of Information Request About BBC funding sources:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bbc_funding_sources
The BBC contracts the collection and administration of the TV Licence out to TV Licensing who in turn employ Capita. According to the BBC, the money you pay is split between the following services:
2. You Only Need A Licence If You Watch Or Record “Live” TV:
Everyone in the UK who watches or records “live TV” (content as it is being broadcast) needs to be covered by a TV Licence.
You do not need a TV Licence if you only watch content after it’s been shown on television. This includes TV programmes downloaded or streamed after broadcast using a catch-up service.
So, if you have a TV but only use it to watch videos/DVDs, for gaming or for watching catch-up TV (eg, BBC iPlayer, 4oD), then you don’t need a TV Licence.
What’s ‘live TV’?
When we talk about “live TV”, confusingly it isn’t necessarily a live episode of a programme, it could be pre-recorded.
“Live TV” is content at the time it’s being broadcast on a TV channel.
A TV channel doesn’t just mean the big five on terrestrial TV, nor any channel that’s just on Freeview. It means any channel (including, say, +1 channels or foreign channels) on any main TV platform, including Freeview, Virgin or Sky.
Internet-only services such as YouTube or Netflix don’t need a TV Licence though.
Here are a few examples to show what this means:
- When watching an episode of Hollyoaks on your TV, on Channel 4, you DO need a TV Licence.
- When watching an episode of Hollyoaks via the Channel 4 online streaming service (4oD) at the same time as it’s being shown on Channel 4, you DO need a TV Licence.
- When watching an episode of Hollyoaks online at a time that it isn’t being broadcast “live” on Channel 4, you DON’T need a TV Licence.
3. What If You Have The Equipment To Watch TV But Don’t Use It:
Simply having the necessary equipment to watch TV i.e. a TV, Freeview box, aerial etc. does not mean you must have a TV Licence. For example if you only use your TV, aerial, Freeview box and connectors to listen to the radio, watch DVDs/videos or play games you do not need a TV Licence. If you had a radio, but not a television, until 1971 you had to pay for a Radio Licence.These days, you don’t need a licence to listen to the radio (including BBC stations). This applies however you listen, even if you listen using television equipment, a Freeview box and a TV aerial.
4. Eligibility For A Discount Or Free TV Licence:
Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to get a discount or free TV Licence.
Over-75s get a free TV Licence. If you’re over 74 and your licence will run out before you turn 75, you’re entitled to a short-term licence covering you until you reach 75.If you’ve got a short-term licence, you should receive the free one automatically as soon as you reach 75. If not, get in touch with TV Licensing.
If you or someone you live with is blind or severely sight-impaired, you’ll get 50% off the cost of a TV licence. So it’s £72.75 for a colour set or £24.50 for a black and white one.
You must provide TV Licensing with a photocopy of one of these documents to confirm you’re certified as either blind or severely sight-impaired:
- A copy of the certificate or document issued by or on behalf of your local authority.
- A copy of the certificate from your ophthalmologist.
If you’re only partially sighted or sight-impaired, you won’t qualify for the concession.
If you live in a residential care home and watch TV in your own room or flat, then you need a licence. You may be able to apply for an Accommodation or Residential Care Concessionary Licence though, if you qualify.This costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow. Both you and your accommodation must qualify.
Go to http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/ to get details on these free or discounted TV licenses.
5. Recording Or Watching Recorded TV:
If you record any live TV programmes from any channel at the time of broadcast by any means (video recorder,DVD recorder,Sky+,TiVo etc.) and through any equipment (aerial, Freeview box, cable or satellite) you will require a TV Licence. However to watch DVDs, videos etc. previously recorded at another premises you will not require a TV Licence.
6. Getting Caught Watching “Live Broadcast TV” Without A Licence:
The BBC claim they have handheld detectors and TV detector vans, most people agree this is highly unlikely due to technical problems and there is no evidence of prosecutions due to this alleged detecting equipment.
How people are usually caught is through a Capita agent knocking on their door. They get the addresses to check simply by going to every home not on the TV Licence data base. These Capita agents are believed to be on a £20 commission for every TV Licence evader they catch. These Capita agents have no right of entry in to your home if you decline to let them in, you are also under no obligation to answer any of their questions. Your best bet is to always video these encounters in full. Here are some Capita TV Licence agents being dealt with on video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfHRhXW1hno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWiKEdGcIGk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt7o5IOUnfY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvXu23rDEUg
If you don’t need a TV Licence the best advice to deal with the Capita agents would probably be to politely:
a. Ask to see their identity card.
b. Give your name if you’re the householder.
c. Explain you don’t watch or record live broadcast TV so don’t need a TV Licence.
d. Decline to let them in your home – they have no right of entry if they don’t have a uniformed Police Officer with a warrant with them.
e. If you do make the mistake of letting them in, or they have a Police Officer with a warrant with them, don’t comply with any requests to turn on or demonstrate any equipment to them.
f. At no time become angry, abusive or threatening – you’ll just get arrested.
g. Under no circumstances sign a 178 form even if you have been caught “bang to rights”.
The notorious 178 form – never sign one.
Even when they come with a Uniformed Police Officer with a search warrant they don’t always get in Peoples’ houses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRQTkOk__48
7. Punishments For Not Having A TV Licence:
In the UK getting caught watching (or recording) live TV broadcasts without a TV License is a criminal offence. If you do sign the 178 form you will probably be summoned to your local Magistrates Court for plea and sentencing. Your guilt, if you signed a 178 form, is taken for granted and you can be fined up to £1,000. The normal fine for a first time offender is about £50 to £100. There is also the prosecution costs, which are about £90, that you also have to pay. About 10% of criminal prosecutions in British Magistrates Courts are now for TV Licence evasion. You can’t be sent to prison for TV Licence evasion, but can be sent to prison if you don’t pay your fine. A third of women sent to prison in Britain are now for failure to pay a TV Licence fee evasion fine.
A mock-up of a TV detector unit – there’s no evidence this equipment actually works.
Here’s a major player with the TV Licence Resistance making a video about witnessing TV Licence evasion prosecutions at his local Magistrates Court:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzzweUmp8Rw
You’ll notice at the Magistrates Court he attended there were 86 prosecutions ( 19 men and 67 women) in a total of 75 minutes. All the cases were based on the defendant signing the notorious 178 form with no evidence from TV detector vans or hand-held detectors. The fines ranged from £35 to £600 with a standard £90 prosecution costs.
Freedom Of Information Act Request About TV Licence Fee Prosecutions And Detector Equipment:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bbc_license_evasion_prosecutions
Freedom Of Information Act Request About TV Licence Fee Magistrate Issued Search Warrants Due To Alleged Detector Equipment:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bbc_tv_detector_equipment_search
8. Refund Of TV Licence Fee:
If you realise you have paid for a TV Licence you didn’t need it’s easy to claim a refund.
If you have realised that you have been paying for a TV Licence when you didn’t need one, or were eligible for a discount, you can claim up to 2 years ago here:
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/refunds-and-cancellations/apply-for-a-refund/
There’s usually no problem with getting up to two years refunded. For periods before two years ago you will need to make a written application to:
Head of Revenue Management
BBC TV Licensing
2nd Floor, The Lighthouse
BBC White City
201 Wood Lane
London
W12 7TQ
9. As The BBC Is Clearly A Corrupt Criminal Organisation Can It Collect Legally:
Technically the answer is the BBC can’t legally collect the TV Licence anyway. Think of its corruption regarding paedophilia, 911, the Royal Family, foreign wars, PFI Fraud etc. However you are very unlikely to get any result on these defences due to the corruption of the British legal profession and judiciary. Some people who are well resourced with a top legal team and expert witnesses can get results on this basis, however it is not a recommended route to take. Here is a 911 truther who did get a not guilty verdict for TV Licence fee evasion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZBM-pkJPio
10. Read Up Before Applying For Your Refund Or Joining The TV Licence Resistance:
Before applying for your refunds/discount or joining the TV Licence Resistance it is advisable to read up fully so you know what your exact legal position is. Here are some recommended sites:
http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence
Here is a UK Column video on the BBC TV Licence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZPPy4yR4Hw
Here Is A Letter Removing Implied Right Of Access You May Want To Use:
Customer Relations Insert Your Address Here
TV Licensing Insert Date Here
Darlington
DL98 1TL
Removal Of Implied Right Of Access –Insert Your Address Here
TV Licensing Reference Number –Insert Ref. No. From TV Licensing Here
This instruction is made in accordance with the BBC TV Licensing Withdrawal Of Implied Right Of Access (WOIRA) Policy (The Policy).
As the legal occupier of the above mentioned property I hereby remove TV Licensing’s implied right of access to the property, in accordance with the terms of the Policy. By “TV Licensing” I mean any employees, agents or contractors acting on behalf of the BBC as TV Licensing Authority.
The Policy is quite clear that I do not need to give a name for my instruction to be legally valid, so I will not be doing so. You can verify my status as the Legal Occupier by matching the reference number above to my property.
This instruction comes into effect immediately . Should TV Licensing personnel trespass on my property after receipt of this instruction, I reserve the right to eject them from my property and seek redress from the Courts.
Please confirm receipt of this letter and acknowledgement of its terms by writing back to me.
Yours sincerely
The Legal Occupier
Freedom Of Information Act Request Relating To Withdrawl Of Implied Right Of Access : RFI20090807
Please read the Freedom Of Information Act Request at the link below relating to “Withdrawl Of Implied Right Of Access”:
Click to access Freedom%20of%20Information%20-%20no%20name%20needed%20for%20WOIRA.pdf
BBC Spends £7million On Refreshment:
The BBC has just been caught out again by BNP activists spending Licence Fee payer’s money like water. A Freedom Of Information Act request has revealed the staggering amounts spent by BBC staff on expense accounts.
These latest figures are only for food, drink and refreshments over the last three years. The BBC is stalling on giving the most expensive bottles of champagne and wine purchased but we are hunting these figures down.
The figures are:
2010 to 2011 £2,306,496
2011 to 2012 £2,233,938
2012 to 2013 £2,416,070
Total £6,956 ,504
That is a staggering £44,593 every week for the last three years.
These expenses are just for food, drink and food for refreshments for staff purchased off BBC premises.
These figures do NOT include subsidised restaurants and cafes on BBC premises.
These figures do NOT include travel or hotel expenses – we are chasing these expenses down and will release them as soon as we can get them.
As usual this shows the complete contempt the BBC have for the hard pressed Licence Fee payers of Britain.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/193559/response/490915/attach/3/RFI20140257%20Final%20responses.pdf
BBC Blows Nearly £29 Million On Hotels In Last Three Years:
The BBC has a reputation for having complete contempt for Television License fee payers. A Freedom Of Information Act request has revealed just how much of our money is blown by this corrupt, racist and paedophile-infested organisation on luxury hotel rooms for its staff. These figures do not include transport, meals, drinks or any costs other than hotel rooms:
2011 – £8.4 million spent by BBC staff on hotel rooms.
2012 – £8.8 million spent by BBC staff on hotel rooms.
2013 – £11.6 million spent by BBC staff on hotel rooms.
The reason for the jump in 2013 is explained by the BBC as being due to the Sochi Olympics, Brazil World Cup and Glasgow Commonwealth Games. This however would imply that the BBC spent an average of nearly £1 million on hotel rooms for each of these three events.
The BBC hasn’t provided full figures yet but here is a list of the most expensive hotel room paid for each year by the BBC for staff:
2011 – £306 was the most expensive hotel room paid for by the BBC.
2012 – £632 was the most expensive hotel room paid for by the BBC.
2013 – £411 was the most expensive hotel room paid for by the BBC.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bbc_hotel_accomodation_expenses#incoming-517926
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