Do British people really have to buy a license to own a TV set?

Question

I've heard that, in the United Kingdom, people have to have a license from the government to own a TV or a radio.Is that true? How long has that been the rule in your country?

That's a crazy system - here in the USA, we don't have to pay a fee to the government to own a TV or a radio!

Answer 1

You don't have to have a license to buy one but you do need one to watch the TV.
And yes it is a crazy system
This site will tell you all about it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licensefee/

Answer 2

It's a very strange system. The TV license money goes to the BBC who have 2 of the 5 terrestrial (non satellite or cable) stations. Even if you were never to watch the BBC channels you have to pay. On the other hand, you can listen to all the BBC radio stations for free. Secondly, you don't need a TV license if the TV has no plug. Odd, I know, but it's always worth knowing...And finally, they have people coming round to check you have a license, but they're not allowed to enter your property without a warrant, and the courts won't issue a war rent unless they can prove that there is a good chance that you don't have a license. To get around this, you now have to give (and prove) your address when you buy a new TV.

Answer 3

You need a license - not to buy a TV but to watch it.

You can own a TV and only watch video and dvd but if you want to receive broadcasts you have to get a license. It is kind of like paying for satellite in a way.

The license fee is only to pay for the BBC because it isn't allowed to have adds, the other channels do. The BBC are supposed to be independent and not have allegiances with companies so that they are always honest and unbiased, if someone is paying them then they may be biased in their news reports for example.
So I guess in some ways it makes sense, however even if you don't want to watch BBC, you can’t choose to just watch the other non-BBC channels, if you are plugged in you are plugged in.
BBC have been seen as squandering the licence payers money on pre-show parties and things, for example with comic relief. They also waste money on expensive, annoying and irrelevant clips which they play inbetween programmes to introduce the next programme.

I have heard that, even if you don’t even own a TV, you still get threatening letters from them saying you have to pay up because they don’t believe anyone can not own a TV these days.

I think it's always been like that, you see remaining independent is kind of a good idea, it could make sense but it really doesn't.

Answer 4

The licence goes to fund the BBC and its two non-digital channels BBC1 and BBC2, as well as BBC3 and BBC4 the free to air digital channels, the BBC also has seven or eight free to air radio networks as well as a extensive network of local and regional networks. It's World Service radio service is considered to be the best international channel anywhere, BBC World news, and a BBC Entertainment international satalite channels are priceless.

Domestic TV and radio services are free of advertisements but the international TV channels are funded by ads. BBC World Service Radio is funded by a grant from the British government.

But the UK is not the only country with a compulsory licence fee as Wikipedia makes clear.

Answer 5

You may think that's crazy system, but have you heard about America? In America, if you get run over by a car and break your leg, you have to PAY someone to fix it!

The fee in Britain is what funds the BBC. And you only need a license if you want to receive a signal, not if you just want to own a television!

Answer 6

Yes we do...the revenue raised goes to the BBC which is a none commercial site...no commercials EVER on the BBC radio programmes or their TV channels, unless it's advertising one of their own programmes...
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licencefee/

Answer 7

Yes. it's true. What a rip-off!