So what happens if you have a TV and don't get a license?
Also, if you have an internal "Rabbit Ear" antenna, how does anyone know you don't have a license?
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Mon 15 Mar 2010, 13:09, 4 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

You get fined.
Someone more knowledgable than me will tell you how their tracking system works.
( girlinthehole, Mon 15 Mar 2010, 13:12, Reply)

Technically, you're liable to a fine.
Quite a hefty one, too, IIRC.

Enforceability is a different matter entirely; I'm not sure how many people actually are prosecuted.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 15 Mar 2010, 13:13, Reply)

These days you have to fill in a form when you by TV receiving equipment
as they turned off the Analogue signal in most places already they know who has TV sets and send you a warning letter, if you ignore it like I did because I was living with my aunt and she had a licence they send another letter. If you ignore that they send someone round, you then tell them to fuck off and wave a licence in their face.
( Peej, Mon 15 Mar 2010, 13:16, Reply)

TV detector vans
Can pick up the signal from the IF oscillator in a television receiver, and (in the case of analogue broadcasting) can even tell which channel you're tuned to. Digital television makes this a bit harder, but it's still possible if you're watching via Freeview (through the same aerial that is used for analogue) and the big satellite dish on the side of the building makes it pretty obvious if you've only got a Sky subscription.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Mon 15 Mar 2010, 13:32, Reply)