do a need a tv licence to buy a tv ?

gogo123_2

hi all

i only use my tv for watching dvds and playing video games and watch bit of catch up ( iplayer 4od), hence i do not have tv license as i do not currently need one

iam thinking of upgrading my tv , do i have to have a license in order to buy a new tv?

many thanks

HisDoris

No you dont need a TV Licence to buy a T.V. Its up to you as an individual to egt your tv licence not the store that's selling you the T.V. Hope that helps you!

hudgebadger

From the TV licensing website:

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/technology-top8/

"Many TV channels are now available to watch over the internet. If you’re watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they're being shown on TV, then you need a TV Licence. However, you don’t need to be covered by a licence if you’re only using ‘on-demand’ services to watch programmes after they have been shown on TV. So, you need a licence to watch any channel live online, but you wouldn’t need one to use BBC iPlayer to catch up on an episode of a programme you missed, for example."
That covers watching on computers

The fact that you have a TV means

"Your TV Licence allows television receivers to be installed and used at the premises specified on the licence, and at the other places detailed on the licence, subject to the terms and conditions stated below."

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/terms-and-conditions-top11/

"TV equipment means television receiving equipment, such as a TV set, computer, mobile phone, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder."

So I think the answer is yes you do need a TV licence.

HappyMJ

Well I have a computer used to watch Iplayer and it's confusing. The computer can watch live TV but I choose not to and watch whatever I want an hour later on Iplayer which they say you can do. Also have a LCD TV which has freeview built in but I use it to watch movies through the computer downloaded from the internet or on DVD.

balmk

With most major high street retailers, you will be required to complete a TV license application form when you buy your TV.

Richie-from-the-Boro

When you buy the TV and put your home address / postcode in for warranty purposes your door will get the knock within weeks, and in addition a big fat fine for all the years previous to this one you did not pay.

The store you buy it from are legally required to report your info to the relevant government authority.

23n1th

"TV equipment means television receiving equipment, such as a TV set, computer, mobile phone, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder."

A TV on its own can't be a means of receiving television, you would need an aerial, satellite dish or cable installed just like a computer on its own without an internet connection/TV card (and aerial) can't be a means of receiving television. But even wth those things (an aerial, satellite dish, cabl, internet connection) you wouldn't need a TV licence unless it could be proved you were watching live TV.

LucianH

From the TV License website, I get the impression that you don't need a licence even if you have a TV providing that you don't use it to watch live TV - but you'll need to make a declaration:

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-if-a-tv-licence-is-not-needed-top12/

If you follow the link to the form, you'll have the option to enter "Only use TV for Games/Consoles"

pogofish

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

When you buy the TV and put your home address / postcode in for warranty purposes your door will get the knock within weeks, and in addition a big fat fine for all the years previous to this one you did not pay.

The store you buy it from are legally required to report your info to the relevant government authority.

Complete rot!

Sellers are obliged to take your details and convey them to TVL but the worst the OP can expect is a letter or three that are easily dealt with.

And TVL stopped being a government authority years ago when they were outsourced to Capita. Whose enforcement is awful and again, easily dealt with. See many previous threads on here.

diable

Wait until they find out ........... lookie

Meepster

Just to clear up some of the mis-advice you have been given:

You DO NOT need a TV licence to buy a TV, to own a TV or to use a TV.

You only need a licence if you watch OR record television as it's being broadcast.

If you are ONLY watching catch-up TV, using it for DVDs, games, music, the internet etc etc you DO NOT NEED A TV LICENCE.

It doesn't matter if you have a sky box installed, an external aerial or even a portable aerial, as long as you don't connect them to the TV...