Paying for your television and radio licence is now more practical, accessible and stress-free than ever.
You may now pay using the following methods;
A television and / or radio license or broadcast receiving license is a payment required in many countries for the reception of television and / or radio broadcasts or the possession of a receiving set.
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s content is supported by the Licensing fees that are collected by the national broadcaster. The ZBC Licensing department derives it mandate from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06) as read together with the Broadcasting (Listeners’ Licenses) regulations issued from time to time by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services as well as the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
Hence the ZBC License Inspectorate department is an enforcement entity which tries to ensure a high compliance rate amongst the viewers and listeners.
Below are the various annual radio and television fees for vehicle, rural and urban homes and corporate entities.
To enable ZBC to fulfil its mandate as a public Broadcaster, in terms of the Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06)
The ZBC Inspectorate department derives its mandate from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06) as read together with the Broadcasting (Listeners’ Licenses) regulations issued from time to time by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Media Information and Broadcasting Services and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. License fees are a government tax whose collection and use has been delegated to ZBC to enable it to meet its national mandate. Hence the ZBC Inspectorate is a law enforcement entity which tries to ensure a high compliance rate amongst the population.
The Broadcasting (Listener’s Licences) 2003 Regulations through Statutory Instrument 245 of 2003 states that one is licensed to possess either or both of the following;
One or more receivers (sound)
One or more receivers (television)
For business entities, each receiver has to have its own separate licence.
Are some person or entities exempted from buying listener’s licences?
Yes, only accredited diplomats to Zimbabwe and the blind or aged and indigent who can prove that they are on social welfare support.
A listener’s licence is valid is valid for one calendar year and is payable from 1st of January of each year or immediately before purchase of a gadget (radio or television)
Any device designed or adapted to be capable of receiving a broadcast television signal. That includes a PC fitted with a TV tuner card, or a videocassette recorder (VCR) connected to a monitor or TV screen.
ZBC Licence inspectors have a mandate to visit homes and institutions checking for licences once every year and also check on vehicle radio licences. If found without a valid listener’s you are liable to prosecution.
The Licence Inspector will issue a Notice requiring you to produce a valid licence at your nearest police station within seven days.
Prosecution procedures will be instituted.
The ZBC sends out renewal notices ±2 months in advance. However, non-receipt of such notice is not an excuse for failure to renew nor for late renewal.
Your previous licence.
Yes – but when first applying for a listener’s licence, the full annual fee is payable. Thereafter, a licence may be paid in quarterly instalments.
Anyone found guilty in court of failing to comply with the law may be fined or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
When one disposes off either a radio or TV by selling or giving it away as a gift, one has to notify ZBC in writing within seven days including the new owner and the physical address where it will be ordinarily kept.
No, a listener’s licence is not transferrable; one needs one’s own listener’s licence except where a husband or wife passes on.
NO – one needs one’s own licence, except one is a family member of a licence holder
One must apply to the ZBC for such licence and submit the prescribed documentation with one’s application. Those who qualify are senior citizens aged 65 years and above.
A dealer requires a single dealer (demonstration) licence, covering the television sets on display for sale. A separate business licence is required for other TV sets used on the premises.
The ZBC must be informed in writing within 30 days of a change of address.
All notices to the ZBC must be in writing and addressed to: The Manager, Licensing Department, ZBC, P.O. Box HG 444, Highlands, Harare; or By email licencing@zbc.co.zw.
You may buy them from all ZBC offices and at all Econet and Zimpost branches countrywide.
You can also buy your licences on our online licensing platform by simply visiting http://licensing.zbc.co.zw
Only one domestic Television licence is required to cover both television and radio sets provided all sets so licenced are used only at the licence holder’s residential premises. All sets so licenced are used by members of one family.
All persons who are resident with the licence holder and are related to the licence holder by blood or marriage.
No, they need a separate licence.
No, they need a separate licence
No, a separate licence is required.
Yes, only accredited diplomats to Zimbabwe and the blind or aged and indigent who can prove that they are on social welfare support.
No, a separate licence is required for each additional residential premise.
No, a separate licence is required for the motor vehicle radio.
Each vehicle fitted with a radio set must have its own radio licence.
Yes a licence is required as long as the receiver is designed for the reception of a broadcasting service
As long as one has a TV receiving equipment in one’s possession a licence is payable regardless of what is being used for.
Yes each receiver is licensed separately.
The person who hires the TV set pays the licence fee.
No, EXCEPT between spouses or between “life partners” in a permanent relationship sharing the same residence, on the death of a husband/wife or partner.
No – a single domestic licence is required, provided that the partners furnish the ZBC with an affidavit confirming their status as unmarried parties to a life partnership
No. The concession applies only to the concession holder’s permanent residence. An additional licence fee at the full annual tariff is required for the sets in the holiday home.
