TV License

[maps]

I own a television, but only use it to watch pre-recorded DVD's and Videos. I therefore do not have a TV License. By not owning a TV License am I allowed to listen to the BBC radio channels?

[charliebaps]

If you have a television set then you need a license. All reports of saying to licensing officers coming to the door 'that I only watch videos' and they let you off, are urban myths.

You can have a radio and not have a license.

[Loosehead]

No, TV licence covers radio also and not just BBC radio.

[Loosehead]

No Charlie, if your TV is incapable of receiving an external signal then it's a monitor and does not need a licencse. There was a test case back in the eighties when a chap only watched videos and he was able to demonstrate that is what he really did.

[vehelpfulguy]

Owning a TV license is for having a TV capable of watching TV. You are playing for the actual TV RECEIVER, not (directly) for the BBC.

This applies even if the TV receiver is inside a PC or laptop for example.

A few years ago, when we had radio licenses, it became almost impossible to police, what with transistor radios and car radios.

I think the same will apply to TV licenses soon, it will become so expensive to collect the money from people who wont pay they will drop it.

[spaced]

How can you prove that you do not use it to watch TV???? get a licence...before you get a knock at the door. Stop being ridiculous!

[MarkyP05]

during my student 1st year i had a tv licenese guy come round...i had a tv but no ariel...i told him that all i use it for is to play on my ps2. he asked me to turn on the tv ajd flick thru the channels to make sure i there was no signal coming thru, obviously as i had no ariel there was no signal. he told me that i would only have to get a tv license if i were to be receiving a signal (thru an ariel). if i was only playing ps2 on it he told me i didnt need a tv license.

[MarkyP05]

this is directly from the tv licensing website showing that you only need a tv license if you watch tv on it or have the ability to receive channels.

"If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) - you need a TV Licence. You are required by law to have one."

Case Settled

[LCBoman]

In a similar vein to the post above, in my first year at Uni, I had a monitor set up to my DVD player. This is a perfectly legal alternative as it is incapable of receiving a television signal.

Slightly off topic, I know, but a solution none the less.

[kempie]

Further to the answers by MarkyP05, more text from TV Licensing website - link

"If you don't use any equipment to receive or record TV programmes, you do not need a licence. But we still need to hear from you. This is also the case if you use TV sets for closed circuit monitoring, as a computer monitor or watching pre-recorded videos only...

You must let us know so that we can update our records to reflect your status. This will ensure that we do not continue to contact you unnecessarily.

We may need to confirm your situation by visiting your premises."

(All added emphasis is not in the original text).

[joko]

marky - receiving and recording is not the same as watching...

[keezin]

i have a gun .... im not shooting anyone with it ,but i could ,do ineed a license lol.