The TV Licensing rule is so odd that one ex-BBC worker said discovering it ‘blew their mind’
The TV Licensing rule is one many people will be unfamiliar with(Image: Getty)
An obscure rule on TV Licences has this week been labelled ‘bizarre’ – and it’s easy to see why. According to TV Licensing, some people can watch without a TV Licence if their laptop is not plugged in.
It could in theory benefit more than two million people, based on 2026 data on student numbers in the UK. It’s all to do with students at university – whose experiences this week led an ex BBC worker to highlight the ‘bizarre’ rule.
The TV Licensing website says: “Your parents’ TV Licence won’t usually cover you while you’re away at university. You will need your own licence to watch TV on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, and to use BBC iPlayer. On any device. [A licence is not needed to watch S4C programmes on demand].
“However, if your out-of-term address has a TV Licence (for example, your parents’ or guardian’s home) this will cover you, provided you’re only watching on a device that’s powered solely by its own internal batteries (like your mobile phone, laptop or tablet) AND it isn’t connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains.”
The loophole has come under the spotlight this week after a former BBC worker highlighted it on social media. He said it “is probably the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard.”
The man said a family member explained the rule to him, and noted: “I kid you not. My mind is blown, somewhat, by the absurdity of this bizarre loophole.”
MSE says that you need to make sure you’re not watching TV on that device while it’s connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains. They say the unplugged device loophole is “a bizarre rule, which is somewhat hidden on the TV Licensing website”.
MSE – which has also labelled the rule ‘bizarre’ – also says that if you’re a student that does pay for a TV licence, you may be able to get a summer refund. For more, visit the web page on the subject.
The TV Licence agency says you may already be covered by a licence at your out-of-term address if: you only watch on devices (such as a laptop, phone or tablet) that aren’t plugged into the mains. And it says if this is the case, you can claim No Licence Needed here. A TV Licence covers you to watch BBC iPlayer, all TV channels and live TV on streaming services at uni on any device.
The government website gov.uk also explains the rule. It says: “If you’re living in university accommodation you’ll need a TV Licence to watch TV in your own room. Shared areas may already be covered by a TV Licence.
“If you live at another address outside of term time, you can use its TV Licence while you’re at university on any device that’s
- battery powered
- not plugged in
- not connected to an aerial.”
To apply for a TV Licence, visit the TV Licensing website.
