I recently – and rather belatedly it seems – found that the BBC currently has a live beta version of its “simulcasting” service which, as you can see here, streams shows from the BBC as they’re appearing on TV. There’s a small disclaimer on the page which states, “Don’t forget – to watch TV online as it’s being broadcast, you still need a TV Licence.”

Now, in all honesty, if you don’t own a TV set or any equipment that flags you up on the Licensing Authority’s database as owning such gubbins – and therefore making you liable to pay the license fee – would you really pay the fee of £142.50, knowing that you can’t be detected watching BBC online? I have to say, I wouldn’t. In fact, were it not for the fact that I’d face a fine of possibly £1000, I wouldn’t pay it at all.

This made me question the fairness of the TV license fee given that if you have a computer and a broadband connection, you can watch the BBC for free, and you can’t be detected doing so. But if you don’t have those facilities and watch TV on a telly, you can and will be fined if you don’t buy a TV license. Read more & comment »