TV Licensing for Six Nations Rugby Fans

About this time every year, just before the Six Nations rugby tournament kicks off, TV Licensing conducts a newspaper campaign warning rugby fans about the heinous crime of viewing without a valid TV licence.

The Six Nations, sponsored this year by Guinness, kicks off with France playing Wales at the Stade de France on Friday, 1st February.

This year, for whatever reason, TV Licensing's PR harlots have been a bit slow at releasing their annual deluge of Six Nations drivel.

Anticipating that there will be such a campaign, today we thought we'd get the first word in when it comes to TV licence rules and enjoying the rugby.

A TV licence is required for any property where equipment is used or installed to receive TV programmes at the time they are shown. Additionally, from 1st September 2016, a TV licence is required to watch on-demand programmes via the BBC iPlayer.

Businesses choosing to show TV programmes to customers require a TV licence covering the public area of the premises. A second TV licence would be required to cover anyone viewing in a residential area of the same premises.

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. Remember that a TV licence is now required if you choose to watch on-demand via the BBC iPlayer.

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 2019 Six Nations schedule is as follows:

Round 1:

• France vs. Wales; Stade de France, Paris; 20:00 hrs on 1st February.
• Scotland vs. Italy; Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; 14:15 hrs on 2nd February.
• Ireland vs. England; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; 16:45 hrs on 2nd February.

Round 2:

• Scotland vs. Ireland; Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; 14:15 hrs on 9th February.
• Italy vs. Wales; Stadio Olimpico, Rome; 16:45 hrs on 9th February.
• England vs. France; Twickenham Stadium, London; 15:00 hrs on 10th February.

Round 3:

• France vs. Scotland; Stade de France, Paris; 14:15 hrs on 23rd February.
• Wales vs. England; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 16:45 hrs on 23rd February.
• Italy vs. Ireland; Stadio Olimpico, Rome; 15:00 hrs on 24th February.

Round 4:

• Scotland vs. Wales; Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; 14:15 hrs on 9th March.
• England vs. Italy; Twickenham Stadium, London; 16:45 hrs on 9th March.
• Ireland vs. France; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; 15:00 hrs on 10th March.

Round 5:

• Italy vs. France; Stadio Olimpico, Rome; 12:30 hrs on 16th March.
• Wales vs. Ireland; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 14:45 hrs on 16th March.
• England vs. Scotland; Twickenham Stadium, London; 17:00 hrs on 16th March.

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