Orcadians urged to take TV Licence online

TV Licensing is calling on people in Orkney to “go paperless” by purchasing and managing their TV Licence online.

More TV Licensing customers in Orkney are switching to online communications than ever before. In the past year, numbers of those opting to choose a licence by e-mail have increased in the KW postcode region by 17%.*

Teaming up with Money Advice Scotland to kick off the Scotland-wide drive, TV Licensing has been outlining the benefits of making the switch to online communication in a bid to boost sign ups to licences by e-mail.

Going paperless can enable TV Licence holders to manage their licences online, significantly cutting down on paper and providing another resource to help manage funds.  TV Licensing is hoping to get nationwide support of the campaign to “go paperless,” as online uptake means less would be spent on creating paper versions of a licence so more money can be available for BBC programmes and services.

“As people continue to manage more and more elements of their lives online such as banking, household bills and shopping, it makes sense that they should also go digital with their TV Licence,” explained Fergus Reid, spokesperson for TV Licensing in Scotland.

“It allows people to keep on top of their licences without the hassle of keeping hard copies of paperwork.”

Existing and new customers can switch to an e-licence, and personal details such as name, address and preferred payment date can all be updated via the website. Those paying by Direct Debit or in one annual payment, can immediately switch to a licence by e-mail.  As was the case with a paper licence, they can continue to view their licence and payments online.

New customers can choose to access their TV Licence online and receive email communications when they register for a new licence. A colour TV Licence currently costs £147 and is required by anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV. This also means that a TV Licence is also needed to watch or download BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies whether using a TV set, computer, or any other equipment.

To find out more about paperless TV Licensing, you can visit the TV Licensing website.