TV Licenses are a strange phenomenon only found in the UK that feel strangely outdated in the modern day. Originally created as radio licenses, TV licenses initially appear to be essentially subscription services for being able to use an object you've already bought and paid for. A system that is only really otherwise seen in car insurance where you can't legally drive a car without it. However, it's not actually like this.
Without a TV license, one cannot legally "watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they’re broadcast" or "download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand". This may seem intimidating at first glance, however there's an important few words in "as they're broadcast".
Anyone can watch anything that is not live TV or BBC programmes at any time without a TV license. "Online catch-up services" such as Netflix and Disney + are safe, and Youtube is also specifically named to be okay without paying the annual £159 bill (or £53.50 if you still have a black and white TV for some reason.)
The license exists to provide funding for the BBC as its primary source. If you don't want to access its works, you don't need to pay. The license when you really look at it is just a subscription service like all the others, but invented in the 1920s.
Don't panic. Turn Stranger Things season 4 back on. It's great.
- Dakota Morrill
Padoo Homes
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