Would i need a tv license if i had no tv but used the computer for downloading programmes?

Question

was wondering, if it was possible as i would not need a ariel would i to watch the two or three programmes i actually like

would i have to have a tv license if i didnt actually own a tv

or what if i kept the tv for the play station and did not recieve signals through the ariel, it is a bit technical for me

can i play on the play station on the lap top

thanks for your answers

Answer 1

Yes you would need aTV licence. If you have receiving equipment in your house to obtain TV pictures, then you are liable for a licence. Your PC is receiving equipment I'm afraid.

Answer 2

No you do not need a TV licence

Only if you have a television are you liable to buy one

So happy downloading

Answer 3

so long as you haven't got an ariel or tv in your house you won't need a license best phone the authority

Answer 4

What is a t.v. license??? You can do any of that stuff without any kind of license.

Answer 5

must live outside the US, maybe china. In the US, to get a TV channel license will cost you at least 8 million dollars :)  Those are used to send, not receive.

Answer 6

no you would not need a tv license.if you got all your programmes off the computer.but you could not have a tv in the house.

Answer 7

T.V. can be streamed through the Internet, therefore you will need a T.V. licence.

If your 'equipment' is capable of being used for watching T.V. programmes then you need a licence

Answer 8

Hoekstee is right.

The situation is fairly complex. Basically, you must have a tv licence (NOT License, that's the US spelling) if you use apparatus capable of recieving live television.

It does not matter what medium the signal uses to get into your house or whether you're watching on a tv set or computer or telephone or clever microwave or anything else.

Therefore, as long as you can proove that you can not (as distinct from do not) watch live television then you do not need a licence.

At the moment that is impossible to proove this so the simple answer is YES, you do need a licence.

The penalty for non compliance is £1000 fine, a criminal record & confiscation of the equipment. It's not worth the risk.

Answer 9

The answer to your question is yes you do need a TV licence, to our USA friends, In the UK it is a legal requirement for anyone owning a TV set to obtain a licence, cost £135 per year, they prosecute you and you end up with a criminal record if caught without one,

Answer 10

A  TV licence is a licence to operate a Television Receiving Station !  Technically nothing to do with what you watch !

For the intellectually challenged  A TV IS a TV RECEIVING STATION !!!

Cheers Pete

EDIT ; Some thickies don't like correct answers and give thumbs down , keep them coming I want to see how many !!!

Answer 11

Unlke the answers some of the idiots on here are giving, you do not need a TV licence for owning a TV, you need one if you have the ability to watch or record a live television broadcast by ANY means using your own equipment or equipment on your premises.. This includes mobile phones, Sky boxes, and PC's over the internet. The licence in the UK is £139.50 and if you do not pay it you are liable to be prosecuted.

Answer 12

THIS ANSWER APPLYS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM ONLY

The UK TV Licence is a Tax used to fund the

British Broadcasting Corporation (The BBC)

The BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster currently transmitting 2 Analogue TV channels BBC 1 & BBC 2 using the PAL (I) 625 line system (576i/50)

The BBC also transmit 6 digital TV Channels BBC 1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4,

BBC News 24 & BBC Parliament. Using DVB-T 576i/50 (SD) format over the UK UHF Transmitter Network

and DVB-S system in 576i/50 (SD), 720p/50 & 1080i/50 (HD) formats using The SES-ASTRA & EUTELSAT Cluster @ 28.2°east

The BBC are planning DVB-T HD broadcast that are in testing and evaluation

The BBC also broadcasts numerous Analogue & Digital Radio channels using DAB, FM, SW and Satellite worldwide.

The BBC TV & Radio Channels Carry NO Advertising

The Licence fee as of 1st April 2008 is £139.50

However there is some confusion regarding the UK TV Licence.

The Law is:-

You are required to have a Licence if you watch or record any TV program at the time it is broadcast.

The way you watch or record a live TV broadcast is irrelevant it can be a TV set, Cable, Satellite, Mobile Phone, Computer, DVD Recorder, or a PVR

IF YOU WATCH OR RECORD LIVE BROADCASTS YOU MUST HAVE A TV LICENCE.

It is acceptable to have a TV set and NOT require a Licence.

Many Businesses are TV Licence exempt as the equipment is used only for presentations

Also in the home environment, the following is an example of exempt equipment

A DVB-T TV set with a DVD player and Game console and computer connected

The TV should have all the Analogue Presets tuned to UHF Channel 21 or 69 (not used for broadcasting) the DVB-T tuner should have all the TV channels DELETED

You can keep all the digital Radio Channels and Data (teletext) channels.

The connected computer can be used to download programs from BBC iplayer or 4oD & ITV.COM to watch in your own time. But you may NOT stream live UK TV Channels. You are free to watch any channels that are not UK licensed Broadcasters.



You are required to inform TV Licensing and you can expect a visit from a Licence enforcement officer, but if you have done things right you will be taken off the unlicensed homes list for the next three years.

Be Warned genteel reader TV Licensing take this matter very seriously they will help and advise you, BUT they WILL take legal action if they find anyone abusing the Licence exemption. Please. Remember under English Common Law you will get the £1000 fine (Statute) and then you are going to get an additional fine for taking the p**s