Hmmm... Fox News--If I don't like it, I don't pay for cable or satellite service that includes Fox News.
BBC: If I own a Colour TV, I must pay 121 Pounds per year ($221 USD) (although, if I can prove I am blind, I only pay 1/2 price). If I don't pay:
BBC Licensing Web Site
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Using television receiving equipment to receive or record broadcast television programmes without the correct licence is a criminal offence.
You could therefore face prosecution and a hefty fine of up to £1,000. [BB: about $1,800 USD at current exchange rates]
You may be asking yourself 'how will they know if I'm using a TV without a licence?' The answer is through a number of different methods.
At the heart of our operation is the TV Licensing database. It has details of over 26 million UK addresses.
Our officers have access to this computer system and a fleet of detector vans and hand-held detectors to track down and prosecute people who use a television without a licence. To find out how effective our methods are click here.
Each year it becomes easier to find and prosecute people breaking the law in this way.
So please be aware:
Using a television without an appropriate licence is a criminal offence.
Every day we catch an average of 1,200 people using a TV without a licence.
There is no valid excuse for using a television and not having a TV Licence, but some people still try - sometimes with the most ridiculous stories ever heard. To read some of our favourites click...
Detector Van Details:
Our detection equipment will track down your TV
The fact that our enquiry officers are now so well equipped with the latest technology means that there is virtually no way to avoid detection.
How our detector vans can catch out licence evaders
We can detect a TV in use, in any area. That's because every TV contains a component called the 'local oscillator', which emits a signal when the television is switched on. It's this signal that the equipment on our vans picks up.
But, what if you live in a block of flats or a house without road access? Well if this is the case our enquiry officer can simply use one of our hand-held scanners. Measuring both direction and strength of signal, they make it easy for us to locate television sets in hard to reach places.
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And from what little I read, penalties can include jail time as this is a criminal offense.
Think Gun Registration is fun in the US? Well, the BBC uses TV Dealers to help them control this dangerous weapon:
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How TV Licensing affects Dealers
The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (as amended) requires any dealer who sells or rents TV receiving equipment (whether the equipment is new or second-hand) to notify TV Licensing within 28 days of each transaction, giving full details of the buyer or renter.
Don't forget this also includes:
Computers fitted with electronic broadcast cards (TV Cards).
TV Cards themselves.
Set-top boxes.
Failure to do so may mean a £1,000 fine per offence for you, or any store manager employed by your company.
August 2000 was the first time a major retailer was prosecuted under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967. One of its outlets was fined a total of £2,500 including costs for not passing on details of six customers who had purchased television sets. More recently in October 2000, a second major retailer was found guilty of five such offences and fined over £2,000 including costs.
If you have not registered with TV Licensing and you sell TV equipment then call 0870 240 1293 or fax us on 0870 240 1294 or simply click here, print and complete the form and post it back to us.
Personal information that you provide with your registration will only be used by the TV Licensing Authority (BBC and its service providers) to help administer the TV Licence system, including licence applications, fee collection and enforcement. Your personal information will not be provided to anyone else unless we are obliged by law to do so. If you wish to see our Privacy Policy, click here.
Customer Services
TV Licensing
Bristol
BS98 1TL
What your help means for us
Once you've notified our TV Licensing Dealer Centre of sales or rentals, the information is logged onto our database. We then compare this list of television owners against details of current licence holders. If they don't match up, then thanks to you, we're probably onto a TV Licence evader.
Three simple options for sending your notifications
1. Computer disk
For details call our TV Licensing Dealer Centre on 0870 240 1293
Fax: 0870 240 1294
2. e-mail -
[email protected]
3. Manual forms - For forms phone on 0870 240 1293
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Wonder why George Orwell based major elements in his book "1984" on the BBC?
-Bill