TV Licensing Warning to Six Nations Rugby Fans

TV Licensing has issued a warning to Six Nations Rugby fans who might be tempted to tune into the tournament without a valid TV licence.

According to a press release on the TV Licensing website, its goons will be visiting unlicensed pubs, clubs and bars throughout this year's tournament, which kicks off next weekend and lasts until 21st March 2015.

A TV licence is required for any property where equipment is used or installed to receive TV programmes at the time they are shown. Businesses choosing to show TV programmes to customers require a TV licence covering the public area of the premises. Additionally, a second TV licence might be required to cover the reception of TV programmes in private or residential parts of the premises.

Neil Robertson, of trade body the British Institute of Innkeeping, said: "We know that pub landlords are always keen to stay within the law so if you’re showing the RBS 6 Nations, it’s a good opportunity to make sure you’re correctly covered by a TV Licence. Pub managers and landlords with residential accommodation on the premises also need to check that they are correctly covered in those separate areas too."

Remember that a TV licence is only needed if equipment is used to receive TV programmes at the same time as they are broadcast. There are many ways you can enjoy the Six Nations perfectly legally without a TV licence. Here are just a few:

1. Watch it non-live on a catch up service: You do not need a licence to enjoy previously broadcast non-live coverage on the BBC's iPlayer for example.

2. Watch live at a friend's place: If they've got a TV licence you could go and watch their telly instead. If you didn't want to impose you could take your laptop around and stream live TV via their broadband connection.

3. Watch live at the pub/club: I'm reliably informed by student friends that you can nurture a soft drink for at least two hours if you sip it slowly. That's just enough time to watch the game.

4. Watch live at your local electrical retailer: Electrical retailers do not need a TV licence for their display sets. If you're a bit of a cheapskate you could visit Currys and watch the best events there.

5. Become a TV engineer: If you're a TV fixer upper then you do not need a TV licence to test equipment you're working on.

We don't condone anyone taking a chance by watching the Six Nations without a valid TV licence. That said, we're so not bothered if anyone chooses to do just that!

The 2015 Six Nations schedule is as follows:

Round 1:

• Wales vs. England; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 20:05 hrs on 6th February.
• Italy vs. Ireland; Stadio Olimpico, Rome; 15:30 hrs on 7th February.
• France vs. Scotland; Stade de France, Paris; 18:00 hrs on 7th February.

Round 2:

• England vs. Italy; Twickenham Stadium, London; 14:30 hrs on 14th February.
• Ireland vs. France; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; 17:00 hrs on 14th February.
• Scotland vs Wales; Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; 15:00 hrs on 15th February.

Round 3:

• Scotland vs. Italy; Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; 14:30 hrs on 28th February.
• France vs. Wales; Stade de France, Paris; 18:00 hrs on 28th February.
• Ireland vs. England; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; 15:00 hrs on 1st March.

Round 4:

• Wales vs. Ireland; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 14:30 hrs on 14th March.
• England vs. Scotland; Twickenham Stadium, London; 17:00 hrs on 14th March.
• Italy vs. France; Stadio Olimpico, Rome; 16:00 hrs on 15th March.

Round 5:

• Italy vs. Wales; Stadio Olimpico, Rome; 13:30 hrs on 21st March.
• Scotland vs. Ireland; Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; 14:30 hrs on 21st March.
• England vs. France; Twickenham Stadium, London; 17:00 hrs on 21st March.

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