Do you need a TV licence just to own a TV but not watch any channels?

Question

I am moving tomorrow and was wondering if you need a TV licence just to have a tv and watch dvd's on it, i have a tv licence for this place but its up at the start of next month and never watch tv, the tv in this house hasn't been on since about april, and the one in my bedroom i only play dvd's on? could anyone tell me more on this matter? also what about watching shows on your computer do you need a licence for this?

Answer 1

Yes, you need a licence just to own a TV capable of receiving broadcast signals, unless you can prove that there is zero signal where you are.

For the few quid a month, it's not worth the grief. Plus it covers your radios.

Answer 2

i believe( please correct me if im wrong) the tv licence is for bbc tv and radio, so if you can prove that you do not watch the bbc or listen to bbc radio you might not have to pay for a licence, but its down to you to prove it ,,, good luck

Answer 3

yes and no

the only way round this is if you are

a student living in halls and your parents have a tv licance

you live at home during the holidays with your parants

your tv is batary operated and does not take mains power

it is not plugged into an arial or coaxial cable and is connected by a scart lead directly to your dvd player.

this is the only situtation where you will not need a tv licance to opeerate a television in the uk

Answer 4

You need a TV licence for any device CAPABLE of receiving a television broadcast.

Whether or not you actually watch TV is irrelevant - you still need to stump up for the licence, by law.

Answer 5

as long as a TV is capable of receiving signal from BBC you have to have a licence. sell your telly and watch your DVDs on your computer.

Answer 6

hahahaha yes! you still need a licence...if u got a tv in the house with access to an arieal then you have to pay the fee...bummer i know but that's britain for ya

Answer 7

Can some one please tell me which country are we talking about... that REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE A LICENCE FOR OWNING A TV???

I'm very much surprised.!!

Answer 8

OH MY GOSH! I don't need TV licence. im in america cuz I have HDTV.

im not sure abt in The UK.

if u need TV licence for like DISHTV, CABLE, COMCAST.

if you don't have those? it free by air.

IM VERY SUPRISE THAT UK NEED LICENCE WITH DVD! woow!

I DON'T HAVE TO LICENECE TV WITH DVD WERID..... I THINK THEY TRY TRICK YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE SCAM OFF.

Answer 9

Hi Lynne,

This has long been an interesting question.  The simple answer is, if you have any equipment in you house that can receive a television signal, and you are using it you have to have a TV Licence.  This includes:

Televisions, Digital Set-top boxes, VCRs, DVD recorders, PC’s and Laptops to watch live TV programmes online such as BBC iPlayer, BBC News, ITV online or 4OD or Mobile Phones that can be used to watch live TV.

If you use a TV only to watch DVD’s or play computer games you do not have to have a TV Licence. You do however have to write to TV Licensing to tell them this and they may send an inspector round to check this.

However, if you watch ITV/Channel4/five or even if you pay a subscription to Sky, Virgin Media, or have freesat you are still required to hold a valid TV Licence.

If you are only using a Digital set-top box through a hi-fi to get digital radio, and you can not ‘view’ any live TV pictures then you will not need a Licence.

The current TV Licence is £139.50 for a colour TV or £47.00 if you only have a black and white TV.  This means that if you take out a direct debit it will cost you less than £12 a month or £35 for a quarter. You can also set up payment plans with them if you are on low income.

You can get a free TV Licence if you have someone over the age of 75 living in the household, or receive a 50% reduction in the cost of the Licence if there is a member of the household who is blind or severely sight impaired.

If you choose not to buy a Licence and are caught watching the television you could face prosecution, a caugh appearance and a find of up to £1000.

For more information on issues to do with TV Licensing see www.tvlicensing.co.uk or call them on 0844 800 6790

I hope this helps you.

Answer 10

Yes. I am afraid you do.The licence fee is payable if you own a device capable of receiving TV signals whether you actually watch anything on it. This covers TV cards in PCs bellieve it or not .You would still in theory need a licence if you only had the TV card.You might get away with watching telly on your computer but try telling the TVLA Inspector your TV is just for decoration.

Answer 11

yes because it is able to receive

Answer 12

Wow, A license just to own a tv, never even heard of that so I looked it up on Wiki.

Very interesting indeed.

Answer 13

You need a licence if you own equipment capable of receiving a TV signal

Answer 14

yes. you still need a licence for watching tv with dvds.

Answer 15

To answer the question, yes you need a licence, for JB and other American contributors, You need a TV licence in the UK, see the link for further info........

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index.jsp

Answer 16

Has soon has you get a signal if you switch on you are liable,,