WHO NEEDS A TELEVISION LICENCE?
In terms of the Broadcasting Act, No 4 of 1999, as amended, any person or entity that has in its possession and/or uses a TV set. A licence remains payable, irrespective of whether a television set in one’s possession is used or not.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF TELEVISION LICENCE? There are six types:
1] A domestic licence, previously known as a private licence, for households and/or individuals, authorising the use of the licensed set(s) at the user’s registered residential premises only;
2] A concessionary domestic licence;
3] A business licence, for entities (including government departments) using TV sets in their business/commercial activities or on-premises occupied for business purposes;
4] A dealer licence, for businesses selling TV sets;
5] A lessor licence, for businesses renting out television sets; and
6] A mobile licence, for a TV set in any vehicle, caravan, mobile home, vessel or aircraft used for private purposes.
WHEN IS A TELEVISION LICENCE PAYABLE, AND FOR HOW LONG IS A LICENCE VALID?
A television licence is payable in advance, before the beginning of a licence holder’s licence year. A licence is valid for one year and the licence period is indicated on the licence.
WHAT IS A TELEVISION SET, AS DEFINED IN THE BROADCASTING ACT?
Any device designed or adapted to be capable of receiving a broadcast television signal. That includes a PC fitted with a TV tuner card, or a videocassette recorder (VCR) connected to a monitor or TV screen.
WHAT ARE THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF CONTRAVENING THE TV LICENCE LEGISLATION?
Anyone found guilty in court of failing to comply with the law may be sentenced to a fine of not more than R500.00 or to imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
| Types | Column (a) (payments in one instalment / yearly) | Column (b) (payments in more than one instalment / monthly) |
| Domestic licence | R265 | R28 per month |
| Concessionary Domestic Licence | R70 | Not applicable |
| Business licence | R265 ( Per television set ) | Not applicable |
| Dealer licence | R265 | Not applicable |
| Lessor licence | R265 ( Per television set ) | Not applicable |
| Mobile television licence | R265 ( Per television set ) | Not applicable |