Latest news with #TVlicence
Irish Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Numbers prosecuted for not having TV licence down despite wave of evasion set off by RTÉ scandal
The number of people being taken to court for not holding a TV licence has dropped sharply, despite the wave of evasion set off by the RTÉ payments controversy . Raising fresh questions over the effectiveness of the TV funding regime, new figures show enforcement reduced after licence sales collapsed in the wake of the affair. An Post , the collector of the annual €160 charge, changed procedures at the height of the controversy because licence inspectors were being subjected to 'abuse and harassment'. The process has since returned to normal. The revelation of undeclared payments to host Ryan Tubridy two years ago this week triggered a full-blown crisis for RTÉ over lavish corporate hospitality, a failed musical and large exit payments for departing executives. READ MORE This led to more than 100,000 people refusing to renew their TV licence, prompting a cash crunch at RTÉ that necessitated a government bailout for the broadcaster to avoid insolvency. There were 947,924 licence sales in 2022, the year before controversy. But renewals collapsed once the disclosures started, with only 824,278 sales in 2023. There was another drop last year, to 792,243 sales. Under the system set up to increase enforcement and deter non-compliance, An Post can bring people to court for licence fee evasion. The latest figures show a decline in enforcement in the year of the scandal and the following year. In 2022, the company made 13,709 summons applications for non-payment and pursued 7,263 court cases. There were 13,198 summons applications and 6,555 court cases in 2023. This fell to 12,229 summons applications and 5,392 court cases last year. 'It was the case that inspectors on the doors were taking quite an amount of abuse and harassment,' An Post said. 'Certainly we had to amend inspection activity during the period of the RTÉ issue – and there was a cohort of the customer base that was unwilling to take out or renew TV licences for that same reason. 'But we have seen that change and many of those customers have returned to being fully complaint and the inspection campaign has returned to normal.' Asked whether Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan believed the licence and enforcement system was working, his department said it was 'critically important' that households pay the fee. 'It is not only required by law. It underpins availability of public service content which is of great importance to our democracy and society,' a department spokesperson said. The then government last year resolved to retain the licence fee but asked officials to examine 'potential enhancements'. The drop in licence sales continues this year, with 329,956 sold as of the week ending June 6th, down from 335,400 in the comparable a year earlier period. An Post did not provide enforcement data for this year, but it said the drop in prosecutions 'from 2023, through 2024 to 2025' followed procedural changes allowing inspectors to leave cards rather than calling into addresses. Prosecution was always a last resort, the company said. 'The emphasis is on encouraging and reminding householders and business people to pay their fair share and of their legal and civic duty to do so. Only when a long series of postal reminders and house calls fail to result in a purchase or renewal does a case move to prosecution.' More than 43 per cent of the An Post database comprises 'addresses entitled to free TV licences and addresses listed as having 'No TV'.'
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Warning to all UK Netflix users over £1k fine for watching new show this weekend
NETFLIX users in the UK could be faced with fines of up to £1,000 for watching a new show this weekend. An update to the streaming platform means viewers will be required to pay an additional fee to watch certain programmes. 1 Netflix has recently branched into showing live content, which will have a major effect on UK viewers. UK households are legally required to have a TV licence when watching or recording live TV, regardless of what channel it is on. However, if you do not watch or record live television, or use BBC iPlayer, then you do not need a TV licence. Previously, this has meant that those who solely watch television through Netflix or other streaming platforms do not need a TV licence. However, with the new Netflix live streaming feature, which includes the upcoming Tudum Live event this weekend, that could now change. UK viewers wishing to watch the live event will require a TV licence to do so legally. Legal experts previously warned about this issue when Netflix first began live streaming content in 2023. Now, the BBC has confirmed to Cord Busters that viewers will be required to purchase a TV Licence if they plan to watch live events on Netflix. However, the majority of Netflix's content remains exempt from the TV licence fee, so long as it is not broadcast live. Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, confirmed: "Under UK law, any live television broadcast requires a valid TV Licence, regardless of the streaming platform." Inside the horrendous Tylenol massacre that left seven dead Netflix users who violate the licensing law could face fines of up to £1,000. While you cannot be imprisoned for evading the TV licence, court -imposed fines resulting from non-payment could see you facing jail time. Daniel advised viewers to "stay informed on licensing changes as streaming platforms expand live broadcast offerings." While enforcement officers for the licence can carry out checks to ensure compliance, occupiers have "no legal obligation" to let them into their home. The licence fee raises around £3.7 billion a year which is around 65 per cent of the corporation's funding. Do I need a TV licence? IF you want to watch or record live TV then, yes, you need a licence. This includes recording it live and watching it later. Live TV includes all programmes on any channel, including soaps, series, documentaries and even movies. In addition, the rules apply even if you don't watch the shows on an actual TV - for example, if you watch programmes that are being broadcast live on a PC, laptop, tablet or phone. A colour TV licence currently costs £169.50 a year. A licence for watching a black and white TV costs £57. You'll need to apply for a free licence on the TV licensing website or call 0300 790 6117. Around 80 per cent of homes pay the fee but evasion is up to more than 10 per cent. If you are over 75 and receive Pension Credit, or live with a partner who does, you are entitled to a free TV Licence. Those living in care homes or sheltered accommodation who are retired and over 60, or disabled, can grab their licence for just £7.50. A 50 per cent discount is offered to anyone who is registered blind or lives with someone who is.
