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Also it allows for endless pointless online arguments about it not being a tax!(I think it is a tax in everything but name).

• robertlagrant 2y ago
  In 2024 it's a subscription service with the world's worst UX. I only have internet-delivered TV, and so I'd be very happy with an iPlayer that just unlocks more content behind a subscription fee.
  • lupusreal 2y ago
    What other subscription service are you legally required to be subscribed to merely for owning a television, computer or any other sort of appliance? Like, suppose your car comes with a subscription service for satellite radio... you're allowed to just not pay it. Owning the object associated with the service doesn't normally oblige you to subscribe to it.
    • ben_w 2y ago
      > What other subscription service are you legally required to be subscribed to merely for owning a television, computer or any other sort of appliance? Things may have changed since I left the country, but last I heard you only needed one if you owned specifically a TV or actually used iPlayer (i.e. more than merely having the capability to use it).
      • robertlagrant 2y ago
        I think it's more restricted than that. You have to have it to watch live TV on iPlayer. That's the legal requirement.
        • andrewaylett 2y ago
          I'm happy to report that even with a TV license, you're not compelled to watch live TV. To your actual point, you do now need a license to use iPlayer at all, not merely for live TV -- too many people (like me) were not bothering with a license and relying on catch-up. We stopped using iPlayer as a result.
          • robertlagrant 2y ago
            > I'm happy to report that even with a TV license, you're not compelled to watch live TV. Er. Yes? : - ) And I didn't know the other one. Even then, I'd be happy with a subscription in iPlayer that I could sign up to, rather than one enforced by law.
            • andrewaylett 2y ago
              I missed reading a few words in your message :P. > You have to watch live TV on iPlayer. That's the legal requirement.
              • robertlagrant 2y ago
                Haha. You HAVE to! We're not there yet, thankfully (-:
      • garblegarble 2y ago
        Not quite - the current legislation[1] is that you must have a TV license if you watch/record live TV (however you do it - online, with a TV, etc.), or if you use the BBC's iPlayer app/site. You do not require a TV license if you have a TV but do not use it to watch live television (e.g. using it for YouTube/Netflix apps) 1: https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence
    • robertlagrant 2y ago
      I don't think your analogy is correct. As I understand it, you only pay the licence fee if you watch live TV.
    • robertlagrant 2y ago
      > What other subscription service are you legally required to be subscribed to merely for owning a television, computer or any other sort of appliance? I have to pay road tax for owning a car :)
      • pipes 2y ago
        Only if you drive the car on public roads! :) You can declare it off the road or whatever the term is.
        • robertlagrant 2y ago
          Technically correct. The best kind of correct.
      • Lio 2y ago
        Not in the UK; Winston Churchill abolished “Road Tax” in 1937. We do have Vehicle Excise Duty but it’s not a road tax.
        • robertlagrant 2y ago
          Colloquially it's still called Road Tax. Like if someone says "Wait for the Tannoy announcement" you're not obliged to say "Actually they're using the SpeakLouder 3000. Tannoy lost the contract 37 years ago next Tuesday."