The present invention provides a portable television receiver which comprises an antenna 4 for receiving waves of television broadcast, a transmitting-receiving circuit 12 for detecting the reception condition of the waves of television broadcast before recording, a display 21, a speaker 20, and a main control circuit 14. The main control circuit 14 judges whether the recording is permitted with reference to the detected result of the reception condition of waves of television broadcast. When the recording is not permitted, the message that the recording is not permitted is shown on the display 21, and the speaker 20 produces sound.