TV licence query

skimpydoo

A friend of mine has a TV that he only uses for gaming and watching DVD's. He does not have an account with Virgin Media etc that gives him TV channels including RTE.

His TV is over 8 years old so it can't get the Saorview App and Saorview set top boxes are no longer sold. He also does not have a broadband connection so he can't access the RTE Player.

My query is this: Should my friend have to pay a TV licence when he has no way of accessing RTE?

I don't think he should as his TV over 8 years old and he can't get a Saorview set top box.

greasepalm

The way they look at it can it receive live tv via an aerial input ?

https://www.tvlicence.ie/home/general-faqs.html#:~:text=Any%20premises%20with%20a%20television,after%20the%20licence%20was%20purchased.

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122628126#Comment_122628126

How? When aerial requires a Saorview set top box which is no longer available.

Peregrinus

AIUI, it's a television set if its "capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it)". In this case it needs a set-top box in order to exhibit the broadcast signal but that, in itself, doesn't take it outside the definition. Question is whether the fact that a saorview box is difficult to obtain changes things; I don't think it does.

(Plus, a spot of googling suggests that set-top boxes, both Saorview-approved and generic, are readily obtainable.)

Shan Doras

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122628143#Comment_122628143

What put "saorview boxes are no longer available into your silly head ? Also "over 8 years ago" was 2015, so the television probably already has an Mpeg4 tuner. www.soundstore.ie/tv-44-dvd-audio/saorview-satellite-systems.html

beachhead

I'm sure the arguement "sure I only use it for dvds and games2 has been used multiples times in court and not accepted.

No links,just look up tv licence summons cases

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058369455/tv-licence-query

Should he have too, if all 100% true, no, not really.

Does he have too, yes, by law he is due to pay a TV license.

Surprised if he doesn't have some sort of broadband connection on his phone, does he never use rte or other irish media outlets?

Glaceon

Around the time of analogue switch-off, they said that analogue-only TVs still required a licence.

beachhead

Them days

Fr Tod Umptious

The thing is OP, the TV license doesn't just cover RTE television.

A lot of it goes to RTE radio, and some goes to Coimisiún na Meán, which use it to support other media other than RTE.

You will hear them clearly state on Today FM that something they are doing is supported by Coimisiún na Meán and the television license fee.

Since the Trubidy scandal the Coimisiún na Meán have been much more proactive in letting people know that it's not just RTE television that benefits from the television license, but all media in Ireland.

So if your friend would have to not only never watch RTE, but also never listen to any radio in Ireland to not be benefiting from the television license.

But I'm sure that you'll be back in a few minutes to tell us they only listen to Spotify.

And why do people always ask this on behalf of a friend?

Boggles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122628334#Comment_122628334

Whether he benefits from radio or not, having a radio or the ability to listen to radio stations doesn't mean he needs a TV License.

The OPs friend if he actually exists and wants to be compliant should get rid of the TV and buy a "monitor".

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122628279#Comment_122628279

The only phone he has is a landline. If he needs to use the internet, he goes to his local library.

skimpydoo

A monitor is no use for watching DVD'S.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629239#Comment_122629239

Nearly every monitor sold in the last decade either has a HDMI port, or a HDMI protocol capable port (DVI or DP), requiring only a basic adapter cable. Many have speakers.

Rather like your "no saorview boxes exist" thing, you should really spend five seconds checking things before making inaccurate statements as if they are true.

skimpydoo

The TV License does not cover radio as radio licences were abolished in 1972.

POBox19

So YES is the answer. :- from tvlicence.ie

Do I need a licence if my television set has not been "upgraded" to receive digital signals?
An analogue television set, with or without a set-top box, will still require a Television Licence.
The definition of a Television set (Section 140 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009)

"television set" means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception ( whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it ) and any software or assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus.

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629258#Comment_122629258

Oops my bad I had no idea modern monitors had a HDMI port. I have not used a computer monitor since 2009.

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629313#Comment_122629313

Good to know. Thanks for that.

For those of you wondering if the friend I mentioned is me. It's not and I do have a TV licence.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629263#Comment_122629263

Go to the head of your class.

It's the best bargain in the country.

Free everyday all day.

Have a radio in every room in your house, in your pocket, in your car, in your boat/campervan.

Totally free at point of use.

But it does have to be paid for.

cr-07

Are there still door-to-door checkups happening regarding the TV license? Did anyone get a knock at the door recently?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629345#Comment_122629345

There are. They only call to people who don't have one; there would be no point going to those who do and clearly, they have access to the lists of those who do.

Take a look at any local paper and you'll see court reports of people who answered the door and admitted it / had a TV on while they did.

Backstreet Moyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629350#Comment_122629350

I mean unless they have permission to ask for some sort of ID, can't you just say you are a child minder of tradesman etc and it's not your house?

Boggles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629239#Comment_122629239

I wouldn't have suggested your friend get one if it wasn't.

Anyway I have no idea the purpose of this thread in reality.

But the questions have been answered.

He needs to get a TV licence, if he doesn't want to get one, get rid of the TV and get a monitor.

/thread

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629396#Comment_122629396

They've heard it all a hundred times.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629231#Comment_122629231

Fair enough, he still is legally required to have a TV license as the law stands.

Backstreet Moyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629426#Comment_122629426

I am sure they did, but if they can't enter the premises or ask for ID then I don't know what they can do.

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629813#Comment_122629813

They can according to this.

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2009/en/act/pub/0018/sec0146.html#sec146

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122629414#Comment_122629414

Anyway I have no idea the purpose of this thread in reality.

These threads appear every so often about people who claim never to have consumed a nanosecond of public broadcasting in Ireland and claim to only have a TV to stream obscure Filipino cockfighting and that they think they should be excused from getting a TV license.

And it's usually asking for a friend.

And it usually goes on to be a discussion about whether the TV license inspector is allowed into the house or not.

Freeman on the land stuff.

TokTik

In the age of mobiles, video doorbells and instant messaging do people still answer their doors to random callers?? I haven’t for years, used to drive my parents nuts when I lived at home but it’s all good since I got my own place. Don’t have a letter box either for any “we called” flyers either.