In the UK do you need a tv license to watch tv online?

Answer 1

No. As it is not live tv. 4OD definatly not as a tv license is for BBC as they don't get funding from adverts so the tv license is their income. But iPlayer you do not need a license for iPlayer although a iPlayer tax is being reviewed meaning you would have to pay to use it. This may not happen though. Google iPlayer tax if you don't believe this.

Answer 2

Currently, in 2010, a licence is required to operate a television receiver in the UK. It is not required to own television receivers. The definition of a receiver is written to include televisions, recorders or tuners that receive television signals from terrestrial, satellite and cable services but it does not extend to internet based broadcasts.

The question of licensing Internet broadcasting in the UK is still being debated and there may be changes to legislation in the coming years.

The licence fee is used to fund the BBC. The BBC is the UK's public service broadcaster and carries no commercial advertising on air so almost all funding is provided by the licence.

Answer 3

The question almost certainly refers to the UK television market, being one of the very few countries that demands the purchase of a TV license.

The UK TV license is required for the reception of any Broadcast Television signal, whether via terrestrial transmitters, cable or satellite. The license fee is given entirely to the BBC to fund their production and transmission services and allows the BBC to remain independent of the UK government.


Replaying DVDs is not considered to be a broadcast and therefore does not require a license. The same applies if a DVD is played on a TV rather than a computer. However, not paying the license fee will attract the attention of the enforcement agancies and one will need to be prepared to demonstrate that the television is not used and cannot be used for receiving broadcasts. No connection to a satellite dish or aerial may be sufficient but checks will be made to ensure that the user is not cheating.