Uni-bound students get TV Licence warning (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Uni-bound students get TV Licence warning

3:40pm Sunday 16th August 2009

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AS Wyre Forest students receive A level results this month, TV Licensing is reminding those preparing for university life to add a TV Licence to their “to do” list, and ensure they are correctly licensed when they start the new term.

TV Licensing is issuing specific advice for students who plan on watching live TV online. Research by TV Licensing shows that 80 per cent of students now take a laptop to university in their first year and 40 per cent use it as their main way to watch TV.

Overall, 66 per cent of students say they have TV on a laptop or PC.

Mark Whitehouse, TV Licensing spokesman for the West Midlands, said: “Students who have achieved the A level grades they need will soon be leaving home for the first time, with plenty on their minds as they begin their student careers.

“TV Licensing wants to ensure they don’t start their university with a large fine by forgetting to organise their TV Licence.”

“For many students, the laptop is now the main way to watch television, so we urge them to read up on the licensing requirements so they don’t get caught out.

“Buying a licence just takes a few minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/students2009.”

To raise awareness of licensing requirements, TV Licensing has teamed up with universities around the country to distribute leaflets and posters around campus.

You need a TV Licence to watch or record TV programmes, irrespective of what channel you are watching, what device you are using (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other) and how you receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the Internet or any other way).

If you do not have a licence you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

That means that if you are watching or recording live broadcasts via the BBC iPlayer you need to be covered by a TV Licence. If you are only watching or downloading programmes that have already been broadcast using the iPlayer or other internet services, a licence is not required.

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