Sonic Sprinting onto 360 AND PS3

It's just a hassle I can't be bothered with. I don't watch much TV anyway, so I don't feel it's justified that I need to pay so the BBC can carry on making Changing Rooms etc.

I honestly don't know if I've got a TV licence... if we have, the missus must sort it out.

Come to think of it, I didn't have one at Uni either. Again, the girls sorted it out for the communal lounge TV.

Lovely, organised girls.

The important part of that sentence is:
IF YOU USE a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes

If he's not using it for that reason (to watch or record TV) then he doesn't need a licence.

You can legally own a TV without a licence as long as you don't watch any TV on it.

Try proving that you don't use it for watching TV.

Go on, just try.

I've heard of people who have de-tuned their TVs, removed the tuner and had smashed tubes who still had to pay the license fee.

Personally, I'd pay the BBC just so they can continue to exist without needing advertising.

The fact that there is a TV company that is insulated from the pressures that corporations can make through advertising withdrawal threats is worth paying for in my opinion.

Would you have to? I thought it was innocent until proven guilty?

Why would you have to prove your innocence? Isn't in their responsibility to prove you have broken the law?

For people who end up paying... Well depends on whether you want to stand against the system or not. I think I would, I can be an awkward prick sometimes :)

This thread as got a little off topic!

Actually I've just found this;

Communications Act 2003 - PART 4 LICENSING OF TV RECEPTION


I think the important part there is installed or used which seems to imply just plugging it in requires a license. Of course you could argue the definition of television receiver may not cover de-tuned TVs.


But in an interesting direction! That's what usually happens round here.

I'm impressed with you research into this! :)

I would consider the television receiver to be a component of the TV. Some Plasmas and LSD's come without them...

So by owning a TV that already has one you get around the installing part... maybe?

Then as long as you don't use it, you get around the using part... maybe?

Anyone know any lawyers? I thought I was right earlier now I'm not so sure.

Well, according to the link above to the act.


From that, I'd a thunk that anything with a tuner would become a "television receiver" and installation would be putting it into your house and plugging it in.

And plasma and LCDs without a tuner are monitors, meant for displaying non-broadcast images from, for example, a computer.

So unfortunately, I think if you have a TV you need a license, no matter if you can prove you don't watch TV. In a student house with separate lets for each room, you would have to have a license per bedroom with a TV and one for a communal room as well!!

What is needed for just playing games (on topic - woo hoo!) is a computer monitor with s-Video or composite in, but no tuner. We have Dell Ultrasharp 2001FP 20" monitors here that do both s-Video and composite as well as D-Sub and DVI. They also have a four port USB hub built in.

Currently £412.66 from Dell

I'd recommend them in a flash. Fantastic quality screens, very pose-able and wide viewing angle.

I do agree. It is great there's still a channel out there that has no adverts and isn't actually linked to the government. However, I'm going to be a student, I don't know how long it'll take to get a job, my income and outgoings, and it's money I just can't afford, for something I rarely watch.

Nice monitor by the way.