TV Licensing is urging residents and business owners on the Isle of Man to ensure they have an up to date licence. 

The warning comes ahead of an information and enforcement campaign that will take place in September to make sure that residents are properly licensed.

The campaign will target unlicensed properties on the Isle of Man identified by TV Licensing’s comprehensive database of almost 30 million addresses and follows the introduction, earlier in the year, of a number of changes on the Island to make it easier for residents to pay for their licence.

Since April, Island residents have been able to apply for a TV Licensing payment card, allowing them to spread the cost of their TV Licence and pay in weekly or fortnightly instalments, from as little as ?5.50 per week. 

Residents also have access to the new TV Licence Savings Card which provides a safe, secure and flexible way to save towards the cost of a TV Licence.

The electronic ‘swipe and save’ card replaces TV Licence savings stamps which were phased out at the end of June 2009.

Sarah Viner, TV Licensing spokesperson for the Isle of Man said, “Our database shows us which properties on the Isle of Man are unlicensed, meaning our enquiry officers can target people who may be watching TV illegally. 

"Evaders come from all income groups but we understand that some people may find it difficult to pay their licence fee in one go.

“That’s why we provide many ways to spread the cost, including the new weekly cash payment plan and Direct Debit options, which you can set up quickly and easily online.”

TV Licensing would always prefer people to buy a licence rather than risk prosecution and a fine of up to ?1,000.

To help raise awareness in advance of the visiting, it has been in touch with community groups and public service organisations on the Isle of Man to provide a range of useful information. 

These organisations have also been informed that leaflets about TV Licensing are available in 18 different languages, and that an over the-phone interpreter service is available in 170 languages.