Internet problems for Virgin Media customers

I thought it was live TV broadcasting that requires a license?

if you watch any "live" video on any platform, then that requires a TV license.

this includes BBC iPlayer, but also YouTube for "live" broadcasts.

from the FAQ https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/watching-live-online-and-on-mobile

Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown on any channel, TV service or streaming service. It’s not just live events like football, cricket, news and music. It also covers soaps, series, documentaries and even movies.

An online TV service is any streaming or smart TV service, website or app that lets you watch TV programmes over the internet. This includes services like Channel 4, Sky Go, Now, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, Freely and ITVX

so unless you firmly are not watching any live video at all at any point in the year... you need a TV license.

it does not matter if the live broadcast you are watching is not even broadcast on UK television channels, if it's live and you're viewing it you will need a license.

Hour record attempt on YouTube?

I have watched live TV. The point is, I will not if I don't have a license.

Almost all the live stuff ends up as a recording anyway.

As I said, it's not impossible. Personally I think the Beeb is great value for money. I wish there was a better funding model for it but we have what we have.

Does the TV tax actually go to the BBC? Or is it just thrown in the tax pot and then pissed up a wall by the Tories?

FYI: Virgin took about an hour to cancel via chat. Not as bad as everyone seems to have reported previously.

Does the TV tax actually go to the BBC? Or is it just thrown in the tax pot and then pissed up a wall by the Tories?

It goes entirely to the BBC and a few other entities like Freeview and Freesat.

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-does-your-licence-fee-pay-for-top13

It covers everything that the BBC does, from radio, TV, through to World Service, online, etc.

None of that revenue goes to the govt, it's a separate thing from other taxation precisely to prevent govts from touching that pot of money.

That's nice. They do something similar in Oz with the ABC but it's not a separate tax.

Still, I don't listen to radio. I don't read their news. I've rarely used iplayer. I'm quite happy to watch everything delayed (I usually do anyway because I'm busy when it's broadcast)

Is there even such as thing as live anymore since it's all digital?
It's just a very recent recording.

There's always a delay though - not counting bleep delays and such, electricity takes time to travel as does the signal so I don't think arguing about streaming not being immediate works.

As bossman said

None of that revenue goes to the govt, it's a separate thing from other taxation precisely to prevent govts from touching that pot of money.

Which has been the reason it's survived despite the Tories' best attempts to destroy it. The negative is that it hits the poorest massively disproportionately as everyone pays the flat fee.

I no longer watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service or use BBC iPlayer

You can cancel your licence and may be eligible for a refund if, before your licence expires, you won't be:
watching TV on any channel, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave and international channels
watching TV on pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and BT
watching live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
using BBC iPlayer*.
This includes recording and downloading. On any device.
*A licence is not needed to watch S4C programmes on demand.

I actually meant the whole processing chain for digital, encoding etc.
But it's actually much simpler, there is no live TV broadcast anymore:

Why is live TV on a delay?
Today, many live broadcasts on TV aren't truly live. Instead, broadcasters will transmit the feed with a delay of a few seconds. It's a simple procedure that gives them leeway in case something unrehearsed happens that can't be shown on screens.

I'll let you argue the point with the licensing guys. I'm just not going to watch what 'they' consider live tv any more.

I think I am in the clear, I avoid anything even remotely TV like the plaque. Totally despise the BBC and it's output.

Virgin sent me the kit returns list and they want 2 tivo boxes back even though I only have one. Much like Thames Water billing us for meters we don't have. Is there a single company out there that actually has a correct record of customer assets?

Oh, you think you're getting an extra £40 off me do you Virgin. Fight!

I'll be looking forward to this fight when I move. Would just transfer over but am moving rural with no cable at all. Goodbye all high speed options hello broadband poverty.

I've been using a Three 5G router with Smarty SIM and it has been ok but I'm in London so I'd fucking hope so too.

I'll have to keep an eye on my accounts for a while to make sure these dickheads don't steal my money. It was those dickheads that told me I had to recycle the router myself (after charging me for multi-room when they wouldn't take it, even though it wasn't connected)