A Television Licence is required to receive any live, or nearly live, television service within the UK.

It is required irrespective of the source of the signal (non-BBC channels, satellite or internet stations, and even foreign broadcasters) or the device that it is received with (DVD recorders, set-top boxes, computers, or even mobile phones).

When do I need one?

A common misconception is that a licence is required to own a television. It is not - it is a licence to receive a television transmission, not to own a television set.

You do not need a television licence if you own a television set but only use it for watching DVDs, listening to music, or playing video games. Paradoxically, you may still need a television licence even if you do not own a television.

Clicking this link will allow you to watch a live stream of the French channel "France 24". If you do so from a property within the UK, that property now requires a television licence (even though the source is outside the UK, and the images are being displayed on a computer).

This is somewhat counter-intuitive, however has been confirmed by TV Licensing:

What is it used for?

The licence costs about £145 a year, and provides funding for BBC services within the UK.

In 2007-2008, this revenue was divided up into:

• 68% - TV
• 10% - Radio
• 9% - TV Licensing
• 8% - Local Radio
• 5% - Internet

Notable parts of the BBC that are not funded with the licence fee include:

• BBC World and the BBC's international television stations, which are operated commercially.
• BBC World Service, which is funded by a grant from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Although the BBC's iPlayer service was funded by the licence fee, viewing it does not require a licence.