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Do I need a TV licence?

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  • Posted at 10:35am
  • 21 June 2008
  • by DoctorDigital-RT
  • 11 comments

Q If I only watch TV programmes via catch-up services such as the BBC iPlayer, can I stop paying for my TV licence?
Alan Gray, London SW19

A In theory, yes! You need a licence to watch programmes as they are being broadcast, so watching channels that are streamed live online requires a licence (BBC News and BBC3 are available this way, and BBC1 will be within the next 12 months). But catch-up services aren't covered by the law. What you actually watch is what's crucial: whether or not your receiving equipment could be used to watch programmes "live", if you do not in fact do so, you don't need a TV licence.

You may ask: will the licensing authorities believe me? How do I prove it? This is a slightly grey area. People who own a TV set but claim not to receive any channels (eg they only use it to watch DVDs) can detune the set and/or remove their aerial. TV Licensing recommends this, but it's not compulsory. In the case of someone who watches only online TV catch-ups, there is no equivalent to detuning anyway - so, as the law stands, you're in the clear.

**

Do you have a question for Doctor Digital? Just get in touch using the form below.

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Post a comment | 11 comments

Comments

  • Posted on 05 September 2009
  • at 2:45pm
  • by lolly

I NEVER watch BBC, because I love American soaps and have DVDs arriving every other day. I listen to the Radio, mostly NOT R4 because they are the most miserable querulous rude people on earth and the world service would have us all slitting our wrists should we be unlucky enough to be awake at 3am. Its aids, famine, murder and rape at that time of the night, I absolutely hate it!!

  • Posted on 01 September 2009
  • at 5:14pm
  • by Sniper

What nonsense, we pay for the TV and the ELECTRIC, and they want us to pay for a "LICENSE"?? no other country has a "license" system.........DAY LIGHT ROBBERY!!!!

  • Posted on 28 July 2009
  • at 2:04pm
  • by millie

I decided I will not go digital. In my area the switchover will happen in two stages, 21 october (bbc2 OFF) and 18 november (all the rest off). My license runs out on the 31 oct; shall I simply stop switching on the telly from 1st Nov to 17 nov? or do I need to remove it from my house? (I'd like to watch my collection of videos).

  • Posted on 21 July 2009
  • at 10:07am
  • by DoctorDigital-RT

FAO elizabeth - It sounds as if you've been in a protracted discussion so you've probably already been through any advice we could give you. The best answer, I'm afraid, is to check through the official TV Licencing website at www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

  • Posted on 21 July 2009
  • at 9:49am
  • by elizabeth

I do not watch T.V and I informed the licencing authority about this. Due to harassment from the BBC Licensing, I have now written a notice to Withdrawal of implied right of access, but I did not sign my name. The BBC has replied to my letter asking me to provide my name before they are able to act on my instruction. Although they took my name from the last licence held some two years ago. Without seeming pedantic, do I have to inform them of my name? Thanks

  • Posted on 27 May 2009
  • at 10:25am
  • by DoctorDigital-RT

FAO Stan - Yes, you will need a licence for a television in a cafe.

  • Posted on 26 May 2009
  • at 11:06pm
  • by Stan

Do I need a licence for a television in a cafe?

  • Posted on 03 February 2009
  • at 10:35am
  • by Bill

Stick you headphones on Nicola then it's not public

  • Posted on 15 January 2009
  • at 9:07am
  • by AJ

You don't need a license to listen to the radio at work, but your employer will need to pay for some sort of license thingy.It's about £100 a year. I understand even people who merely fit radios in cars need one. Outrageous!

  • Posted on 08 January 2009
  • at 11:08am
  • by DoctorDigital-RT

You don't need a licence to listen to radio: this is true for both BBC and commercial stations and for whether you listen over the air or internet.

  • Posted on 08 January 2009
  • at 9:55am
  • by nicola

How can i listen to the radio at work without a licence?

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