TV licensing issues
on this page...
• Do I need a TV Licence?
• How to write to TV Licensing
• Precautions you should take
• Making a written Complaint to TV Licensing
• More information on TV Licensing.
• Our experience
Do I need a TV Licence?
Using a TV
You can own and use a television without a TV licence as long as you don't use it to receive television programme services. So, if you use a television solely to watch videos and DVDs, you don't need a licence.
Using a Satellite receiver
TV Licensing has now told us that we can use a Sky box without a TV licence if it's used to receive audio broadcasts only. And the great news is that this fact has been confirmed by TV Licensing on its website, which now says:
"If you use a set-top box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence." See it here.
We are sure that our letters, this website and your letters also, have played a part in getting TV Licensing to publish this information.
Also, your satellite receiver must not be able to record programmes. So if you have a Sky+ box, you do need a licence.
And thanks to Pete R. for the following clarification "It is perfectly legal to listen to TV sound without a licence as long as the apparatus used has no means to display and/or record pictures. The sound broadcast licence (radio licence) was abolished in 1971 and since then no licence is needed to listen to ANY broadcast sound whatever the source. This applies to Freeview and satellite installations, and a viewing card will be still be required should the user wish to listen to a subscription channel. HDD-equipped receivers such as Sky+ would need a licence as they are capable of recording. Any set-top box used for sound-only reception must have stereo line out sockets for connection to your stereo equipment, and should be connected to "aux" or "line in". I actually have two radio receivers capable of receiving UK UHF TV channels - although they won't be able to after the analogue switch-off."
So what do you need to do?
If you want to use a TV solely to watch pre-recorded videos and DVDs, and/or a Sky box for audio reception only, we suggest you do the following.
Firstly, we recommend that you write to TV Licensing. State clearly how you use a TV and/or a Sky box and ask TV Licensing to confirm in writing that your situation is acceptable. (See below for suggested wording). You don't have to write, but if you don't, you can expect a monthly threat-mail from TV Licensing. Someone who decided not to write to TV Licensing, has published all the letters they've received from them at www.bbctvlicence.com.
Secondly, follow the advice we give in the paragraph below entitled Precautions You Should Take.
How to write to TV Licensing
When writing include, as appropriate, this suggested wording or something similar :-
- I use a TV for watching pre-recorded videos and DVDs only. The TV is not connected to an aerial, or to a Cable, Freeview or Satellite receiver, and all tuners in the TV and Video Recorder are 'de-tuned'.
- I use a Sky box for the purpose of listening to broadcast sound only. The Sky box is connected solely to audio systems and does not have the facility to record digital signals.
- Kindly acknowledge receipt of this letter. To ensure you have fully understood me, please reiterate the statements I have made to you and confirm that my situation does not require a TV licence.
If you've reached your 75th birthday - Congratulations!
You now get a free TV licence.
Their address is: TV Licensing, Bristol, BS98 1TL.
And their web address is www.tvlicensing.co.uk
Precautions you should take
- Ensure your situation is exactly as described in your letter to TV Licensing.
- It would be helpful if no aerial lead existed indoors.
- With satellite, connect your box to audio systems only.
- We keep our letters from TV Licensing in a safe place but also handy, should anyone want to see them. We want to be prepared should we ever get a visit from a TV Licensing Enforcement Officer. For your own peace of mind, we suggest you do the same.
Making a written Complaint to TV Licensing
Here are the addresses to write to if you need to make a written complaint to TV Licensing/BBC. Begin by writing to the first address, moving on to the next if you are not satisfied with the response you get.
- Head of Customer Relations, Customer Relations Department, TV Licensing, Bristol BS98 1TL.
- Customer Services Director, TV Licensing, Bristol BS98 1TL.
- Customer Relations Manager, BBC TV Licensing Management Team, PO Box 48309, London W12 6YA.
More information on TV Licensing
There is a very comprehensive website at Television Licence Information which was created to help correct misinformation regarding the UK Television Licence.
If you want the BBC's TV Licence abolished, please tell the Government! Please take a moment to write to your MP and tell them how you feel.
We at the ChristianSat Guide believe it is morally wrong that we cannot access any Christian TV without first making a payment to the BBC. The same BBC that went ahead and broadcast 'Jerry Springer the Opera' even when hundreds of Christians had asked them not to. We'd be delighted to see an end to the 'BBC tax' and also to see the BBC made to adhere to its original remit of Public Service broadcasting which, in our view, does not mean competing with commercial broadcasters.
Our experience with TV Licensing
In view of this website you may be surprised to learn that we only use a TV to watch videos and DVD's.
We would like Christian TV but because we do not want to fund the BBC, we do without.
Most probably, if we did watch regular TV, we would not have the time to maintain this site!
Also, we have a Sky box, but use it just for radio.
It's connected by stereo cable to two hi-fi systems (one in the lounge and another in the kitchen) and via a wireless link to a sound system in a bedroom.
For this set up we do not need a TV Licence and have written to TV Licensing in the way we suggest above.
We now have letters from TV Licensing going back ten years confirming that, in our situation, we do not require a licence - which is very reassuring. And, until recently, we had experienced no other hassle from TV Licensing (TVL).
But, during February, March and April 2007, we found ourselves in a cycle of intimidating letters from TVL's 'Customer Services' that appeared to disregard all previous correspondence. One standard letter in March was addressed to 'The Present Occupier' and began with 'Dear Sir/Madam'.
All the cooperation we had given TV Licensing over the previous eight years appeared to make no difference to them! We had replied to every TV Licensing letter. Each time asking for written confirmation that our situation is legal. But TVL's letters in March and April completely ignored our requests. So, we wrote a letter of complaint to the 'Head of Customer Relations'. It stated that 'TV Licensing has failed to provide written confirmation that our situation conforms with legal requirements'. We sent it on 31 May.
TVL's reply dated 12 June included an apology saying -
"I am sorry for the annoyance and frustration caused by our responses to your recent letters.
I realise that you seek clarification on your circumstances, which you have made very clear to us.”
It continued
“Due to the huge volume of written work received each day, we will answer some letters with pre-drafted responses, where possible.
However, any letter that seeks comment or advice on specific issues should receive a tailored response.
I am disappointed you have had to take time to write to us on more than one occasion.”
We were disappointed too. The “huge volume of written work” is down to the huge volume of mail TVL send out!
Much of it threatening and intimidating.
No wonder they get so much mail in response!
After further correspondence we received a letter confirming “that the situation you have described in detail does not need a TV licence.” But TVL refused to reiterate the statements we made. We wonder why?
You see, should we now get a visit from an Enforcement Officer, we will have to present them with a selection of copies of our letters and TVL's responses. We would much rather have had just the one single letter from TVL listing our statements of non-use. This would be so simple. It would prove to the Enforcement Officer that we had explained our situation clearly to TVL who then, having understood our situation, had advised us that no TV Licence is required. Sadly, TVL have denied us (and probably many others too) such a letter with which to greet their representative when they call (which has not happened to us yet thankfully).
If you'd like to see the letters we have from TV Licensing, just send us your address (or email address) via the Contact us page. Please do ask us for these copies - it will give you far more confidence as you deal with TV Licensing.