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Ross-shire students urged to tune in to TV licensing warning


By Hector MacKenzie

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Students are being urged to consider the need for a TV licence.
Students are being urged to consider the need for a TV licence.

DESPITE the massive changes wrought by coronavirus on their lives, Ross-shire students are being offered a piece of advice from TV licensing chiefs that remains the same as ever...

With Covid-19 set to impact both lectures and lifestyle on campuses across the nation, more than half a million students across Scotland will be planning to relocate to halls of residence and house-shares.

It’s predicted they will be swapping their dancing shoes for slippers as a night in front of the TV will replace nights out on the town this freshers’ week.

In preparation for bonding over binge watching, TV Licensing is encouraging young people who are substituting sticky dancefloors for toppling showstoppers, Connell’s Chain and the UEFA Nations League to make sure they are correctly licensed.

Nairn King (21), an international business student at Strathclyde University, said: “Students across the country will have to adjust to lifestyle changes this year with freshers’ week looking very different to the norm. Due to the current restrictions, it’s possible that students will be spending more time indoors with friends instead of hitting the bars and clubs. This means more time in front of the TV as students come together to binge their favourite programmes. It’s really important that those living in halls of residence, house shares or flats of their own ensure they’re covered with a TV Licence so they can enjoy their shows without having to worry."

Fergus Reid, spokesperson for TV Licensing Scotland, said: “While the freshers’ week experience will be very different this year, we know that young people love the shared experience of television and that it’s a great way to bond with new friends.With thousands of hours of quality drama, reality TV, live sport and music available, we don’t want students to miss out, nor do we want them to risk prosecution and a fine. Whether they are living in halls or a house-share, students can visit tvlicensing.co.uk/uni for more information.”

The law still applies to students living away from home in halls or shared accommodation, regardless of the device they use, and a TV licence is required to watch programmes as they are being shown on TV live or when watching on BBC iPlayer.

The law states that you need to be covered by a TV licence to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, or live on an online TV service such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.). A licence is also needed to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies to any device, whether it is a TV set, laptop, tablet, mobile phone or games console.

More info at tvlicensing.co.uk for more.

News from Ross-shire




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