Listening to the radio, including BBC stations on BBC Sounds, does not require a TV Licence. TV Licensing states: "No, you do not need a TV Licence to listen to the radio (including on BBC Sounds)." The BBC also reassured people that they "don't need a TV licence to use BBC Sounds. The law applies to watching and downloading TV programmes, including via BBC iPlayer."
What the TV Licence covers
A standard TV Licence costs £180 a year and covers all TV channels, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels. It also covers pay TV services such as Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV, live TV on streaming services like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and everything on BBC iPlayer, including recording and downloading on any device.
Fines for watching without a licence
A black-and-white licence costs £60.50. If you do not watch any of the services covered, you do not need to pay. TV Licensing warns: "If the courts find you guilty, the magistrates will decide the level of fine. You may have to pay a maximum fine of up to £1,000 (up to £2,000 if you live in Guernsey)." You cannot be sent to prison for a TV Licensing conviction, but you may also have to pay other charges.
In England and Wales, additional costs include a victim surcharge of 40% of the fine and prosecution costs of around £120. In Scotland, the Channel Isles or Isle of Man, you may face loss of revenue costs requested by TV Licensing. In Northern Ireland, an offender levy of £15 applies, along with loss of revenue costs and prosecution costs of at least £25.
Keep your email address up to date
TV Licensing says that when you buy a Licence, "you are required to provide a valid email address." Officials may use your contact information to send updates, including renewal notices. If you do not see those emails and your licence lapses, you could watch live TV or BBC iPlayer without being covered.
TV Licensing warns that it is the account holder's responsibility to inform them of any email address changes. It explains: "If you do not inform TV Licensing of any changes and consequently do not receive an email reminder that your next TV Licence is due, you will remain fully responsible and liable to pay the licence fee and to ensure that you are properly licensed and may still be prosecuted if you are found to be using a TV receiver to receive television programmes without a TV Licence."
Other ways to receive reminders
You are not limited to email reminders. You can change your preferences via the TV Licensing website by logging into your account, by phone or post at TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL, or on 0300 790 6165, or by following the instructions in some emails. TV Licensing also supports the Relay UK service for those who are deaf, have hearing loss or are speech impaired. Calls to 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, and are free if you have inclusive minutes.
You can also unsubscribe from TV Licensing emails. However, TV Licensing warns that if you do so less than a month before your current licence expires, you may still be contacted by email because it takes up to four weeks to change your preferences from email to postal communications.
