Doug,
The story you heard may have been when they finally decided to give a free license to those 75 and over. There is no limit on how many TVs you can have under one license, but there are all sorts of arcane rules ready to trap people when it comes to second homes and the like. Here's an extract from the official website:

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TV Licences for your second home, caravan or mobile home

Second homes
If you use TV in a second home such as a cottage, flat, bungalow or any other permanent structure, you are required to have a separate TV Licence.

Mobile homes and caravans
If you or any other person uses a TV in your static caravan or mobile home and another is being used in your main home at the same time, you'll need a separate TV Licence.

However, if a TV isn't being used in your static caravan or mobile home at the same time as in your home, you don't need a separate TV Licence. In which case you'll just need to complete a declaration form (see below).

The TV Licence for your main address will, however, automatically cover any TV used in a touring caravan, vehicle or boat, or any televisions operated by their own internal batteries.
Clear now? It's quite ridiculous. I know several people who have a place in this area as their second home, and they certainly don't see any reason why they should buy another license for a place they use a few weeks of then year.

Have a look at the generally patronizing tone of the official TV Licensing website.

As C-H said, many people feel no moral obligation to contribute to the BBC, which is itself just another commercial organization these days. It's also seen as unfair that the money extorted by the government for the "TV Licence Fee" goes entirely to the BBC. No other broadcaster receives a penny of it, yet we are obliged to pay it even if we never watch the BBC.

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Officially in South Africa one had to show one's TV licence before you could buy a TV and the store had to record the licence number!
The big chain stores here report to the licensing office when anyone buys a TV, VCR, or satellite receiver. Then if the licensing people have no record of a license in effect at the address, they'll send the usual intimidating letters.

To see how some people have responded, look at www.tvlicensing.biz (This site has plenty of examples of the threatening and accusatory letters sent out.)

The correspondence from "GoodKingNige" to them is wonderful. He ended up playing them at their own game, and phoned them to tell them he didn't have a record of a shotgun license at their address and to inform that they were breaking the law if they had a shotgun without a license! [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 02-20-2004).]