TV Licence rules over common myth about listening to BBC Radio

TV Licence rules over common myth about listening to BBC Radio Not everyone will need to buy the £180 TV Licence, but you could be fined heavily if you need one and are not covered A TV Licence costs £180 a year and covers a range of services, including the BBC. As BBC services are mentioned often in relation to the TV Licence, many people may mistakenly believe they can’t listen to the radio - simply because it’s a BBC station. But that isn’t true - and if you’ve assumed that all along, you’ll be glad to know you don’t need to pay the TV Licence fee just to tune in. As the word "TV" suggests, radio is exempt. 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 does a TV Licence cover? Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of TV. It covers you for: - All TV channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels - Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV - Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video - Everything on BBC iPlayer. This includes recording and downloading. On any device. What is the fine for watching TV without a TV Licence? A standard TV Licence costs £180 each year, while a black-and-white licence costs £60.50. If you don't watch the above services, you do not need to pay. However, if you use any of the above and are not covered, TV Licensing states: "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 might also have to pay other charges. If you live in England or Wales - A victim surcharge of 40% of the fine. - Prosecution costs of around £120. If you live in Scotland, the Channel Isles or Isle of Man Loss of revenue costs requested by TV Licensing. If you live in Northern Ireland - An offender levy of £15. - Loss of revenue costs requested by TV Licensing. - Prosecution costs of at least £25. Update your e-mail address asap Households across the UK risk being hit with a fine of up to £1,000 if they don’t stay on top of their TV Licence settings. TV Licensing says that when you buy a Licence, "you are required to provide a valid email address". Officials state that they may use your contact information to send updates about your licence - including notices that it’s due to expire. Crucially, if you don’t see those emails and your licence lapses, you could end up watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without being covered. TV Licensing warns that it is the account holder's responsibility to let them know if their email address changes. Meaning you can still be prosecuted even if you don't realise it has lapsed. 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." Can TV Licensing contact me another way? You don’t have to receive these reminders via email alone. Officials add that there are several different ways you can get them. You can: - Change your preferences via the TV Licensing website - You can change your account email by logging into your TV Licence online and following the instructions. - Change your preferences via phone or post - You can change your account email options by contacting them either by post at TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL, or by phoning them on 0300 790 6165*. If you are deaf, have hearing loss or are speech impaired, TV Licensing support the Relay UK service (formerly NGTS). - Change your preferences via the secure link contained in the emails - You can change your account email options by following the instructions included within some emails. Please note that a minority of emails (e.g. your TV Licence and emails confirming changes made via the TV Licensing website) will not contain these unsubscribe instructions. *Calls to its 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes, calls to an 0300 number will be included free of charge. I don't want any emails from TV Licensing. Can I unsubscribe? TV Licensing officials say you can let them know you no longer wish to receive emails. However, they warn that if you choose this option and "you do so less than a month before your current TV Licence expires" you may still be contacted by email. It explains that "the changes may not come into effect in time to receive a renewal reminder by post, so you may still receive your reminder by email. This is because it takes up to four weeks to change your preferences from email to postal communications."