watch or record) TV programmes, as they are being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, and to download or watch BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer.
So yes, it would be illegal.ĭo I need a TV licence if I don’t watch BBC?Ī TV licence is a legal permission to install or use television equipment to receive (i.e. If you use a laptop (or any other device) to watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or to download or watch BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer, then, by law, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. Is it legal to watch TV programmes on a laptop or phone without a TV licence? It is an offence to watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on any channel and on any broadcast platform (terrestrial, satellite, cable and the internet) or download or watch BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer without a valid TV Licence. The requirement to hold a TV licence and to pay a fee for it is mandated by law under the Communications Act 2003 and Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (as amended). The licence fee is not a payment for BBC services (or any other television service), although licence fee revenue is used to fund the BBC.
You don’t need a TV licence just to own or possess a television set (Photo: Shutterstock) This applies regardless of which television channels a person receives or how those channels are received. This could be on any device, including TVs, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, games consoles, digital boxes, DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders. What the law says on the need for a TV licence – according to .ukĪ TV Licence is a legal permission to install or use television receiving equipment to watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, and to download or watch BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer. Any BBC iPlayer, live or streamed later.Any live TV on any Channel including Sky channels.What you cannot watch or record if you don’t have a TV licence
If you cancel your TV licence, you may get a visit from TV Licensing, and if they decide you actually do need a licence, you’ll need to pay the full annual licence fee, plus a possible fine of up to £1,000 on top.