topic Re: NO TV LICENCE in Account & Billing

NO TV LICENCE

LynMac — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:52:34 GMT

I am trying to save money. As I have now cancelled my TV licence, will I still be charged for the remaining live television package that I have, or will I be allowed to cancel without penalty?

Re: NO TV LICENCE

Daniel0210 — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:53:46 GMT

@LynMac

There's no obligation for Sky to allow you to cancel in those circumstances.

To fully cancel your TV subscription, if your minimum term has ended you’ll need to give Sky the usual 31 days notice. Note that the latest T’s and C’s explicitly state you can’t cancel when still in a minimum term deal unless Sky agree. If they agree you’ll have to pay the remainder of your discounted term.

See the below link
https://www.sky.com/help/your-account/my-account-and-subscription/cancelling/cancel-my-subscription/cancel-sky-tv/articles/cancel-sky-tv

Select ‘No, I still need help’ at the bottom of the link which will lead to contact methods.
(Make sure the flag in the bottom right corner is the correct one ie; UK or ROI).
UK customer ~ It may include a phone number, an email link and also a Message Us option (which is normally available between 9am and 7.30pm).
ROI customer ~ there’s a text option (Monday-Friday 9am to 4:30pm) otherwise it’s only by calling Sky Ireland or writing in.

If you successfully cancel you should receive an acknowledgment email from Sky.

Remember that billing continues through the notice period after which a credit for any overpayment will show on your bills and should be refunded about 6 weeks after your last day of connection.

If you are cancelling Sky Q or Stream return packaging will be sent out near the end of your notice period for any loaned equipment Sky are expecting back. It’s important that you obtain proof of posting and keep it safe and indefinitely.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

MightyQuinn — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:11:07 GMT

@LynMac wrote:
I am trying to save money. As I have now cancelled my TV licence, will I still be charged for the remaining live television package that I have, or will I be allowed to cancel without penalty?

Hi @LynMac It is the other way around, if you have a live (or recorded or streamed live programmes) package and watch it, then you need a TV Licence. It is a criminal offence with fines up to £1000 and court costs.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

NickNewark — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:20:46 GMT

@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

Me134 — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:04:51 GMT

@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.

To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉

Re: NO TV LICENCE

DaveDrizen — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:01:52 GMT

@Me134 wrote:
@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.
To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉

I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not. Yes you may try to disable the sky box so it can't receive live tv by disconnecting from the dish m however doing that the box will stop functioning after while as it needs to receive signal fro the satellite every so Offten to keep on working. Also I beleave that if you only watch on demand programming the fact that it was once broadcast on a live stream you need a license to view that as well. And if you are going to just use the Sky box to lowest or free tier of Disney m Netflix and HBO max is rather an expensive and ridiculous way of watching them and the savings of not having a tv licence are then lost in the amount being paid out for a Sky subscription to watch these. Do you know the amount of a tv licence £180 for a whole year (that is £15 a month) is only the equivalent of one or may be two months what we lay out Sky subscription e dry month . If we prepared and can afford to pay this sort of money every month, the price of a tv licence is small amount extra

Re: NO TV LICENCE

Me134 — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:19:37 GMT

@DaveDrizen wrote:
@Me134 wrote:
@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.
To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉
I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not. Yes you may try to disable the sky box so it can't receive live tv by disconnecting from the dish m however doing that the box will stop functioning after while as it needs to receive signal fro the satellite every so Offten to keep on working. Also I beleave that if you only watch on demand programming the fact that it was once broadcast on a live stream you need a license to view that as well. And if you are going to just use the Sky box to lowest or free tier of Disney m Netflix and HBO max is rather an expensive and ridiculous way of watching them and the savings of not having a tv licence are then lost in the amount being paid out for a Sky subscription to watch these. Do you know the amount of a tv licence £180 for a whole year (that is £15 a month) is only the equivalent of one or may be two months what we lay out Sky subscription e dry month . If we prepared and can afford to pay this sort of money every month, the price of a tv licence is small amount extra

I'm 100% not wrong, just owning a TV doesn't mean you have to purchase a TV license. That said, I guess you missed the smiley (let alone didn't read my rather short post)?

Re: NO TV LICENCE

TimmyBGood — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:34:30 GMT

@DaveDrizen wrote:

I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not.

That's not correct: a premises is licenced for licensable viewing, which is defined as watching content 'as it is being broadcast', or consuming any content on BBC iPlayer.

TVLA like to imply that device possession mandates a licence (and word their publicity material accordingly), but it's just not the case.

Having a Sky box in the house does of course make live channel consumption much more likely, though, with consequent legal peril.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

MarkGoldsmith — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:13:20 GMT

@DaveDrizen wrote:
@Me134 wrote:
@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.
To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉
I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not. Yes you may try to disable the sky box so it can't receive live tv by disconnecting from the dish m however doing that the box will stop functioning after while as it needs to receive signal fro the satellite every so Offten to keep on working. Also I beleave that if you only watch on demand programming the fact that it was once broadcast on a live stream you need a license to view that as well. And if you are going to just use the Sky box to lowest or free tier of Disney m Netflix and HBO max is rather an expensive and ridiculous way of watching them and the savings of not having a tv licence are then lost in the amount being paid out for a Sky subscription to watch these. Do you know the amount of a tv licence £180 for a whole year (that is £15 a month) is only the equivalent of one or may be two months what we lay out Sky subscription e dry month . If we prepared and can afford to pay this sort of money every month, the price of a tv licence is small amount extra

@DaveDrizen that isn't quite correct, as ANY internet enabled device such as a phone or computer is capable of watching live TV, and you don't need to buy a TV license just for owning a computer or phone.

A TV license is currently required if you are viewing or recording a live TV broadcast, or you are watching content from iPlayer on ANY device. Owning equipment that is capable of watching or recording live TV is irrelevant unless you are using it for that purpose.

Also worth noting that a consultation of the TV license is underway ( as the current charter ends at the end of 2027) and its quite possible when its renewed it is extended to cover more streaming usage ( although what happens with the license will depend on which government is running the country at the time the decision needs to be made - and I don't think anyone is brave enough to predict who that might be).

Re: NO TV LICENCE

TimmyBGood — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:37:19 GMT

@DaveDrizen

If you dig deep enough into the TVLA website:

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/watching-live-online-and-on-mobile

Re: NO TV LICENCE

DaveDrizen — Fri, 15 May 2026 08:21:09 GMT

@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@DaveDrizen wrote:
@Me134 wrote:
@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.
To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉
I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not. Yes you may try to disable the sky box so it can't receive live tv by disconnecting from the dish m however doing that the box will stop functioning after while as it needs to receive signal fro the satellite every so Offten to keep on working. Also I beleave that if you only watch on demand programming the fact that it was once broadcast on a live stream you need a license to view that as well. And if you are going to just use the Sky box to lowest or free tier of Disney m Netflix and HBO max is rather an expensive and ridiculous way of watching them and the savings of not having a tv licence are then lost in the amount being paid out for a Sky subscription to watch these. Do you know the amount of a tv licence £180 for a whole year (that is £15 a month) is only the equivalent of one or may be two months what we lay out Sky subscription e dry month . If we prepared and can afford to pay this sort of money every month, the price of a tv licence is small amount extra
@DaveDrizen that isn't quite correct, as ANY internet enabled device such as a phone or computer is capable of watching live TV, and you don't need to buy a TV license just for owning a computer or phone.

A TV license is currently required if you are viewing or recording a live TV broadcast, or you are watching content from iPlayer on ANY device. Owning equipment that is capable of watching or recording live TV is irrelevant unless you are using it for that purpose.

Also worth noting that a consultation of the TV license is underway ( as the current charter ends at the end of 2027) and its quite possible when its renewed it is extended to cover more streaming usage ( although what happens with the license will depend on which government is running the country at the time the decision needs to be made - and I don't think anyone is brave enough to predict who that might be).

Ok you don't need a tv licence to just owning a mobie phone or a computer, but if you have apps on theses devices like ITV x, Sky go, 5, or channel. 4 which dose have live broadcast content on them and you do need a licence to watch that even if it on you phone or computer in fact on any device that have these apps, you say that owning any device that capable of watching or recording live is irrelevant. However you are going to have to prove to licence authority that you don't watch any live content on these apps . Do you think they are just take you word that you only watch on demand programming. My bett is the licence authority looks at your on the phone or , computer or any other device they find with these apps on them mwhich they re entitled to do and find any of these app and can not give satisfactory proof that you only watch on demand content which I think would be very hardto do, you will be facing a fine for no licence.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

Me134 — Fri, 15 May 2026 08:54:20 GMT

@DaveDrizen wrote:
@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@DaveDrizen wrote:
@Me134 wrote:
@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.
To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉
I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not. Yes you may try to disable the sky box so it can't receive live tv by disconnecting from the dish m however doing that the box will stop functioning after while as it needs to receive signal fro the satellite every so Offten to keep on working. Also I beleave that if you only watch on demand programming the fact that it was once broadcast on a live stream you need a license to view that as well. And if you are going to just use the Sky box to lowest or free tier of Disney m Netflix and HBO max is rather an expensive and ridiculous way of watching them and the savings of not having a tv licence are then lost in the amount being paid out for a Sky subscription to watch these. Do you know the amount of a tv licence £180 for a whole year (that is £15 a month) is only the equivalent of one or may be two months what we lay out Sky subscription e dry month . If we prepared and can afford to pay this sort of money every month, the price of a tv licence is small amount extra
@DaveDrizen that isn't quite correct, as ANY internet enabled device such as a phone or computer is capable of watching live TV, and you don't need to buy a TV license just for owning a computer or phone.

A TV license is currently required if you are viewing or recording a live TV broadcast, or you are watching content from iPlayer on ANY device. Owning equipment that is capable of watching or recording live TV is irrelevant unless you are using it for that purpose.

Also worth noting that a consultation of the TV license is underway ( as the current charter ends at the end of 2027) and its quite possible when its renewed it is extended to cover more streaming usage ( although what happens with the license will depend on which government is running the country at the time the decision needs to be made - and I don't think anyone is brave enough to predict who that might be).
Ok you don't need a tv licence to just owning a mobie phone or a computer, but if you have apps on theses devices like ITV x, Sky go, 5, or channel. 4 which dose have live broadcast content on them and you do need a licence to watch that even if it on you phone or computer in fact on any device that have these apps, you say that owning any device that capable of watching or recording live is irrelevant. However you are going to have to prove to licence authority that you don't watch any live content on these apps . Do you think they are just take you word that you only watch on demand programming. My bett is the licence authority looks at your on the phone or , computer or any other device they find with these apps on them mwhich they re entitled to do and find any of these app and can not give satisfactory proof that you only watch on demand content which I think would be very hardto do, you will be facing a fine for no licence.

You're having a 'mare here Dave. Live streaming capable apps tend to be installed by default on all sorts of devices (I'm only slightly surprised our washing machine doesn't), that still doesn't mean you need a license if not actually watching live TV.

How you can think that TVL have any authority whatsoever to see what you're watching on your phone or any device is, frankly, mind boggling. As for you proving you're not watching live TV (an impossibility as you can't prove non-event) you've got that back to front as well. TVL have to provide the proof of you watching live TV and even if their bully boys come to your door, you can simply close it again without saying a word.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

Mark39 — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:11:07 GMT

@Me134 wrote:

TVL have to provide the proof of you watching live TV....

Exactly that. Not having a tv licence when you watch live TV is (anachronistically) a criminal offence where it's the TV licensing people who have to prove that you are watching lve tv, rather than a consumer having to prove they're not.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

MarkGoldsmith — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:13:57 GMT

My bett is the licence authority looks at your on the phone or , computer or any other device they find with these apps on them mwhich they re entitled to do and find any of these app and can not give satisfactory proof that you only watch on demand content which I think would be very hardto do, you will be facing a fine for no licence.

Except they have no authority to look at any of your devices, or even enter your home. Yes watching live TV or Iplayer without a TV license is a criminal offence however for anyone to legally enter your property or even look at your devices either requires your personal consent or invitation for them to do so, without it they would need a warrant which provides them to legal right to do so ( although they would need to provide proof/evidence to back up their claim you are in breach of the law before they would be granted a warrant).

Re: NO TV LICENCE

DaveDrizen — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:29:47 GMT

@Me134 wrote:
@DaveDrizen wrote:
@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@DaveDrizen wrote:
@Me134 wrote:
@NickNewark wrote:
@LynMac As you might have gathered from other posts, it doesn't work that way. You are still fully obligated to have a TV Licence while you subscribe to Sky, and cancelling the TV licence doesn't change any subscription terms you have with Sky.
To be fair, if she wasn't watching any live TV (either through Sky or otherwise) then she wouldn't need the license. Although she'd have to be on a very good deal in order to make financial sense if only watching the lowest or free tiers of Disney, Netflix or HBO streaming stuff 😉
I am sorry you are wrong there if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv and sky box is one of them you need a tv licence whether you have intentions of watching live tv or not. Yes you may try to disable the sky box so it can't receive live tv by disconnecting from the dish m however doing that the box will stop functioning after while as it needs to receive signal fro the satellite every so Offten to keep on working. Also I beleave that if you only watch on demand programming the fact that it was once broadcast on a live stream you need a license to view that as well. And if you are going to just use the Sky box to lowest or free tier of Disney m Netflix and HBO max is rather an expensive and ridiculous way of watching them and the savings of not having a tv licence are then lost in the amount being paid out for a Sky subscription to watch these. Do you know the amount of a tv licence £180 for a whole year (that is £15 a month) is only the equivalent of one or may be two months what we lay out Sky subscription e dry month . If we prepared and can afford to pay this sort of money every month, the price of a tv licence is small amount extra
@DaveDrizen that isn't quite correct, as ANY internet enabled device such as a phone or computer is capable of watching live TV, and you don't need to buy a TV license just for owning a computer or phone.

A TV license is currently required if you are viewing or recording a live TV broadcast, or you are watching content from iPlayer on ANY device. Owning equipment that is capable of watching or recording live TV is irrelevant unless you are using it for that purpose.

Also worth noting that a consultation of the TV license is underway ( as the current charter ends at the end of 2027) and its quite possible when its renewed it is extended to cover more streaming usage ( although what happens with the license will depend on which government is running the country at the time the decision needs to be made - and I don't think anyone is brave enough to predict who that might be).
Ok you don't need a tv licence to just owning a mobie phone or a computer, but if you have apps on theses devices like ITV x, Sky go, 5, or channel. 4 which dose have live broadcast content on them and you do need a licence to watch that even if it on you phone or computer in fact on any device that have these apps, you say that owning any device that capable of watching or recording live is irrelevant. However you are going to have to prove to licence authority that you don't watch any live content on these apps . Do you think they are just take you word that you only watch on demand programming. My bett is the licence authority looks at your on the phone or , computer or any other device they find with these apps on them mwhich they re entitled to do and find any of these app and can not give satisfactory proof that you only watch on demand content which I think would be very hardto do, you will be facing a fine for no licence.
You're having a 'mare here Dave. Live streaming capable apps tend to be installed by default on all sorts of devices (I'm only slightly surprised our washing machine doesn't), that still doesn't mean you need a license if not actually watching live TV.

How you can think that TVL have any authority whatsoever to see what you're watching on your phone or any device is, frankly, mind boggling. As for you proving you're not watching live TV (an impossibility as you can't prove non-event) you've got that back to front as well. TVL have to provide the proof of you watching live TV and even if their bully boys come to your door, you can simply close it again without saying a word.

As it says on link in previous post if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv you need a licence to watch that includes your smartphone, computer tablet or firestick. Yes if licencepeiole ask to look at these devices you can refuse but if you have nothing to hide why would you. If by you recusing they may suspect you have apps on these devices they can apply to relevant authorities to get the necessary documents to force to smow these device to them . From experience of talking to these people the don't just believe your word that you don't There are other ways than just looking at you phone they find just cause to believe you may have apps on devices that are capable of watching live tv, for instance they could ask Apple, Amazon or google of list of app on your phone, with the right paperwork it easy for them. to get such information , they have your name and address enough information to get information from these sources.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

PandJ2020 — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:37:32 GMT

@DaveDrizen wrote:
As it says on link in previous post if you have a device that is capable of watching live tv you need a licence to watch that includes your smartphone, computer tablet or firestick.

Please stop. My car is capable of exceeding the speed limit but I don't have cops knocking at my door.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

Me134 — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:09:20 GMT

Whatever other forums or platforms you use @DaveDrizen you need to come off them, you're being fed paranoid nonsense.

Re: NO TV LICENCE

daveNOS — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:33:00 GMT

There are other ways than just looking at you phone they find just cause to believe you may have apps on devices that are capable of watching live tv, for instance they could ask Apple, Amazon or google of list of app on your phone, with the right paperwork it easy for them. to get such information , they have your name and address enough information to get information from these sources.

@DaveDrizen You really need to stop with the incorrect information and down right fear mongering, Apple, Amazon and Google would ignore any paperwork sent by the TVL requesting such information, the only people who could request that information are the police or a judge and even then those companies would probably fight such a request under privacy laws(just as they did last year and might still be doing with the UK goverment).