Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

The latest statistics show that over 7,000 people still watch TV in black and white:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-a8623526.html

I read a comment elsewhere where a woman said that she had to buy a colour licence after having VM TV installed as they told the TVL records office. They said that because the VM STB receives colour broadcasts, that she needed a colour licence and the fact that her TV was monochrome was irrelevant.

This seems odd as this doesn't apply to Freeview users using a (colour) STB with a black & white TV.

I know that it's a part of the VM t&c's that a valid TV licence is required to use their TV service, but this is the first time that I've heard of VM passing on customer details to TV licencing (presumably this was in the days when TV dealers were obliged to pass on details of anyone buying or renting a TV set).

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

Link.

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

What I can't understand is why VM informed TVL (If it's correct that they did) and why colour (non recordable) Freeview boxes are exempt from needing a colour licence when used with a monochrome television :confused:

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

At the most VM will just tell TVL that a property now has their services.

Anything after that about what licence is needed will be down to TVL

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

I find it interesting that TVL say they don't check up on b&w licences and just take people's word for it! The no of B&w licences might now increase dramatically ;)

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

Yes I must remember to tell them about my black and white 55 inch oled tv :D

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

I'm not sure how they administer the sale of black & white licenses, but I do know that you can't buy them online. Presumably some human involvement is used to try and weed out those trying it on.

The number of monochrome licenses has been decreasing year on year since they were overtaken by the sale of colour licenses in the early eighties.

Last year there were 8,000 monochrome licenses in use (with the vast majority being in London), so at this rate they will naturally die out within a few years. I suspect that this is partly due to older people who were content with black & white either moving into residential care/with families, dying or becoming entitled to a free TVL at age 75 when they might as well go colour. Some postcodes are 100% colour already:

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/cs/med...=1369783627625

A lot of sight impaired people use black & white to cut costs as they cannot appreciate the colour pictures, the relatively few who cannot see anything at all are able to use a box that picks up TV sound only and doesn't require a TV licence.

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

Doesn't seem that hard, you can just send a £50 cheque with your name and address on the back to them ! Sending mine off now :D
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ236

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

Because them's the rules:
"A black and white TV Licence costs £50.50. It covers you to watch any live TV and stream BBC programmes on iPlayer using a black and white TV or monitor. But, if you download BBC programmes on iPlayer or record any live TV, you must have a colour TV Licence."

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

Is any B&W TV able to be connected to any digital source (Freeview or STB) ? ? ?

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

Perhaps they are at the far end of the colour-blind spectrum, so don’t see why they should pay for a colour licence.

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

I understand that if you buy a TV then the retailer has to inform TV Licensing. This has been required for many years and the even the old TV rental companies (remember them!) had to report what equipment they supplied to customers.

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

You sure? If you pay by cash are you committed to giving your name and address to the sales person? I wouldn't have thought so.

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

We've bought a couple of TV's over the last four years over the net and the TVL threatening letters are still addressed to "The Legal Occupier" :rofl: so I don't think that happens these days.

We're not on the public electoral register so they haven't a clue.

Re: Using VM TV with a black & white TV licence.
 

They used to under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967, although the section is now repealed in an effort to reduce the burden on businesses.

https://www.parliament.uk/documents/.../IA12-014K.pdf

I’d equally be amazed if Sky/Virgin still notify, but I’m sure those at TV licensing would never voluntarily clarify if this was the case. The belief alone will endure a few sign up, those that don’t can be harassed in the usual manner.