For whatever reason we've been receiving a lot of visitors searching for information about whether a TV licence is required by a person ONLY using their TV set to listen to radio.
The short answer is no - a TV licence is not required to listen to radio only via a TV set.
A TV licence is only required for those properties where equipment is used to receive TV programmes at the same time, or virtually the same time, as they are received by other members of the general public.
Radio programmes on digital terrestrial, satellite or cable do not fall into this category.
A problem arises in that most people listening to radio programmes on a TV set will also have the ability to receive TV programmes, which would legally need to be covered by a TV licence, at the same time.
Remember that the ability to receive TV programmes does not, in its own right, require a TV licence. It is the actual act of receiving TV programmes that is licensable and not the mere ability to do so.
To avoid unnecessary repetition, we would direct readers to the following articles for more information:
- Taking a TV Licence Fee Holiday- TV Licence Evasion: The Rudd Defence
- Student Guide to TV Licensing Rules
We would also invite anyone seeking a general overview of current TV Licensing legislation and enforcement to visit our Quick Guide page.
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