TV Licensing
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Shops and offices
Shops and offices - including bars, pubs, restaurants and takeaways
If anyone at your business premises watches or records TV programmes as they are shown on TV, using a device you’ve provided, you need to ensure your premises is covered by a TV Licence. This includes the use of devices such as a TV set, computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/VHS recorder.
Even if your employees, customers or visitors use their own laptop or mobile on your premises to watch live TV, they will need to be covered by a TV Licence. If their device has been plugged into the mains then your business may be liable for any unlicensed use. They will only be covered by their own TV Licence (provided they have one) if their device is being powered solely by its internal batteries. Please call us on 0300 790 6131 if you have any further questions.
A single TV Licence will usually cover your entire business premises, no matter how many TV receiving devices are used on the site. In some cases, however, certain areas may need a separate TV Licence. Please check below to ensure you’re correctly licensed.
It costs £145.50 for colour and £49.00 for a black and white TV Licence.
A single TV Licence will cover |
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|---|---|
| All TV equipment being used at a single site | This includes any building, vehicle, vessel or caravan being used for the same business purpose. |
Your business’ TV Licence won’t cover |
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|---|---|
| Residential accommodation within your premises | For example, staff living on site. |
| Welfare or social clubs | If these are on the premises, but are run independently of your shop/office. |
| Other businesses or organisations | If the premises are sublet by your shop/office. |
TV Licences for multiple sites |
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|---|---|
| Company Group Licence |
If you have multiple business premises, the easiest way to cover your business addresses or offices is with a Company Group Licence. Simply send us the list of addresses with the total payment (£145.50 per address for colour licences). There are no forms to fill in or qualifying criteria. What’s more, you only need to make one yearly payment, and you’ll receive only one reminder at one address. You can pay in full by BACS, or by sending a cheque (payable to TV Licensing) to: TV Licensing Call 0300 790 6130 to find out more. |
You don't need a TV Licence for |
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|---|---|
| TV equipment that is only used for |
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| TV watched on a laptop or mobile owned by an employee, customer or visitor | As long as the equipment is powered solely by its internal batteries (i.e. not connected to the mains), they will be covered by their own TV Licence (provided they have one). |
| Watching ‘on-demand’ TV or ‘video clips’ | You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on-demand services, like those on YouTube or 4oD. However, some television websites – like iPlayer and itv.com – offer live streaming as well as on-demand TV. If anyone on your business premises streams live TV, they will need to be covered by a TV Licence. |
