Television licence facts for kids
The television licence (also called the TV licence) is a small fee that people pay to watch television. This money helps to pay for public TV channels in their country, like the BBC in the United Kingdom.
Many countries, especially in Europe, East Asia, and parts of Africa, use this system. The amount people pay can be different, from a few euros to around 350 euros each year in Iceland. When people pay this fee, the TV channels they watch usually have very few or no advertisements.
In the past, before television was common, people used to pay a similar fee called a radio licence to listen to the radio. Some countries still have both a radio licence and a television licence today.
Contents
What is a TV Licence?
A TV licence is like a special pass that lets you legally watch TV. It's a way for countries to fund their public broadcasting services. These services create shows, news, and educational programs for everyone.
Why Do Countries Have TV Licences?
Countries have TV licences for a few main reasons:
- To keep TV channels independent: When public broadcasters get money from licences, they don't have to rely on advertising. This means they can make shows that are good for the public, not just shows that attract advertisers.
- To offer diverse content: Public broadcasters often create a wide range of programs, including news, documentaries, children's shows, and cultural programs. These might not always be popular enough for channels that depend on ads.
- To provide a public service: The goal is to offer high-quality, trustworthy information and entertainment to all citizens.
How Does the TV Licence Work?
Usually, if you own a TV or a device that can receive live TV broadcasts, you need to pay for a licence. The rules can be different in each country. For example, some countries might require a licence even if you only watch TV on your computer or phone.
History of TV Licences
The idea of paying a fee for broadcasting started with radio. When radio became popular in the 1920s, governments introduced radio licences. This helped pay for the new radio stations.
As television grew, many countries simply added TV to the existing radio licence system or created a new TV licence. This ensured that public broadcasters had a steady income to develop new TV programs.
Where Are TV Licences Used?
TV licences are most common in Europe. Countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Nordic countries all have them. You can also find them in parts of Asia, such as Japan and South Korea, and in some African nations.
In other parts of the world, like the United States, public broadcasters often get money from government funding, donations, or grants, rather than a licence fee.
Images for kids
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From 1922 to 1953, people had to pay for annual licences to legally receive radio broadcasts.
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A Taiwanese TV licence.
