http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/42/section/13Broadcasting Act 1990Broadcasting Act 1990texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-12Expert Participation2026-05-01 Part I Independent Television ServicesChapter 1 Regulation by Commission of Television Services Generally Prohibition on providing unlicensed television services Prohibition on providing television services without a licence.131Subject to subsection (2), any person who provides any relevant regulated television service without being authorised to do so by or under a licence under this Part or Part I of the Broadcasting Act 1996 shall be guilty of an offence.1AIn subsection (1) “relevant regulated television service” means a service falling, in pursuance of section 211(1) of the Communications Act 2003, to be regulated by OFCOM, other than a television multiplex service.2The Secretary of State may, after consultation with OFCOM , by order provide that subsection (1) shall not apply to such services or descriptions of services as are specified in the order.3A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—aon summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;bon conviction on indictment, to a fine.4No proceedings in respect of an offence under this section shall be instituted—ain England and Wales, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions;bin Northern Ireland, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.5Without prejudice to subsection (3), compliance with this section shall be enforceable by civil proceedings by the Crown for an injunction or interdict or for any other appropriate relief.6Any order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.Pt I (ss.1-71) applied (1.10.1996) by 1988 c. 48, s.72, as replaced 1996 c. 55, s. 138, Sch. 9 para. 1; S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1S. 13 excluded (temp. until 11.10.1997) by S.I. 1997/1682, regs. 1, 4(3)S. 13(1) excluded by S.I. 1990/2537, art. 2(1)S. 13(1) excluded (5.1.1995) by S.I. 1995/3172, art. 2words in s. 13(1) inserted (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 148(1), Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 2(1)(b); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1Words in s. 13(1) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 5(2) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)Words in s. 13(2) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 5(4) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)S. 13(1A) inserted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 5(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)Pt. 1: transfer of functions (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 1 para. 3(a) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)