Do You Think You Should Be Paying for a Tv Licence?
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i don’t watch much live tv anymore, but now and again I might catch stuff on iplayer, and that’s only because I’ve paid for a tv licence, so I might as well use what I pay for
but now I do think it may be time to stop, as I can survive perfectly fine without the bbc, as I watch more online, foreign content anyway
have you stopped paying for a tv licence?
I haven't had a licence for years (I couldn't receive any BBC signal when I had one after they went digital), I'm quite happy just to watch things on catch up - although I would now need a licence to watch BBC on catch up. The actual rules state that you need a licence to watch or record a programme at (or near) the time it is being transmitted or to watch BBC programmes on catchup.
I actually prefer radio and you don't need a licence for that - even if you listen to the BBC.
A word of warning: a licence is still required if you watch TV transmissions from abroad on satellite or cable etc. As they're being transmitted.
Yes they must’ve lost a lot of revenue when they originally stated you didn’t need a licence for catchup, so then they made the change. But how they’d enforce and punish those transmitting, I haven’t a clue...I knew avid eastender watchers getting away without paying for the licence fee since the 90s, and they told me all sorts of stories lol
hspexy I think there is a way around it if you actually wanted to watch BBC (I don't miss it) that is to buy a recorder for a friend (if they don't have one) let them record it from premises that has a licence - then watch it from your premises - I can't find anything in the rules that says you can't WATCH a recording of a BBC programme.
A couple of digital recorders and a good supply of discs or cards. Costs less than a licence - and doesn't help finance the likes of Jimmy Savile.
well tv is so bad really that we are not getting value for money for the licence. I still pay for one as bbc 4 is actually the best channel on the tv
There is so much on Internet these days. You can download nearly anything and that too as soon as they get aired. i Watch TV series to latest movies and latest wrestling and like for example these days watching new amsterdam and now the latest season 6 of the blacklist. Already downloaded latest tw episodes. download them on your portable hard drive and just watch at your own convenience. If anyone needs any tips PM me.
I'll stand corrected but I don't think there is any way to Private Message another member. If there is please let me know.
davidstockport yes not sure. New to this. If they have policy to share our emails. I am happy to do it. Let’s try here. email removed.
salmanabbas I would strongly advise you to remove your email address- although not against policy. There are a couple of Trolls about who might exploit it - you can remove it by ckicking on edit.
Only yesterday I put an expendable email address on here, within seconds someone was trying to get into my email account - fortunately the address was temporary and my email provider spotted the activity which was through a proxy server (routed via Austria) I suspected that would happen.
I have taken a note of your email address - if you do have any problems (probably unlikely) let me know on here, and I will contact you.
And yes obviously the idea of paying TV licence to me is a skin lyncher. I just can’t bear this absurd rip off.
It might interest some who watch on catch up that if they have a broadband connection they can use a NOW BOX to watch on their TV - they virtually give them away, I got mine about two years ago for £15 but it had a two months cinema pass with it (which is now £9.99 a month) there's no contract and you don't have to buy passes to watch catch up on most channels, YouTube and many other sites.
It's worth knowing that when your passes are coming to an end they will make you an offer of three months - for the price of one. (But only once)
Glad to see you took my advice to remove your email address. I doubt you'll have any problem now. It's a pity there isn't a safe way to contact other members. I've seen others wanting to do so before. Probably over 99% on this site are people who can be trusted - but it only takes one to spoil things.
i dont think enyone should pay for tv licence nowt on too watch or loads of repets
Noo... I do not like BBC much... They make some amazing stuff but the TV licence cost a lot. Why they can not make it cheaper???
Probably because of the massive salaries they pay all those celebrity presenters. Some of the wages are obscene. I don't mind anyone being rich if they deserve it but there should be an upper limit and no one on tv is worth a million. People who save lives and do really important work deserve more. And don't get me started on footballers salaries lol!
Too many overpaid staff members and wasting license payers' money - They must have wasted more than the licence fee (I haven't paid) writing to me over the years. They even sent someone personally to see if I actually needed one - he agreed that I didn't.
To save them money I'm getting a licence in a few months (even though I don't need one) I told them when I last told them I didn't need one that I'd get one on my 75th birthday - when they have to pay for it. I AM FAR TOO HELPFUL
nothing ever gets cheaper in the UK - chips used to be dirt cheap (as the saying goes, cheap as chips!) but then there was some kind of draught about 2 decades ago that caused crop damage that made the price of potato double…no known draughts since, but chips are more expensive than ever (although that could be due to higher business running costs)
hspexy I watch more Netflix than BBC, but that also have a charge....but rather paying the TV tax to BBC would pay it to Netflix instead....because they make entertainment
AgnesFaludi I agree - I find that Netflix is more current and they are spending the money better. BBC just show repeats and a lot of very dated shows
hspexy They made and amazing movie....lol...5hours...Black Mirror and it is interactive, so u choose the path....I really loved it lol
AgnesFaludi oh yes I read about that, and it caused a bit of controversy, as kids were making such choices...but I think it is more stimulating than just a simple TV show. Netflix is brilliant
tumblespots The BBC are trying to avoid paying themselves for licences for the over 75s - it might end very soon. But I should get at least one year free - then it will be back to them pestering me and thousands of others who don't need one. It's a racket really, prisoners in prison, who have TVs in their cells don't have to have licences.
They should lock them up!
davidstockport Don't forget we are also paying for everyone else around the world to have the 'benefit' of BBC World Service.....why can't they pay for it themselves- because we are a captive audience who aren't allowed to choose not to pay so it is easier to charge us.
tumblespots Apparently the government pay the BBC for the world service - just as they WERE paying for the over 75s licences. It's the arrogance of the BBC expecting every person to have to prove they don't need a licence that I really object to - they don't even provide a prepaid envelope for us to reply to them when they send their intimidatory letters, and half expect us to let people into our homes to check for themselves. I let one in to check and also notified them online but I still got another letter a few months after my online notification (which I'd received an acknowledgment for).
hspexy Not for kids....in some scene you need to choose to who will die and how they die....so sort of exciting and weird and defo for over 18
davidstockport They do not watch BBC, I can imagine whole day Prison Break is going on in their TV lol
AgnesFaludi ah yes, it's quite a dark programme, but one of the reasons why it has done so well. Definitely only to be viewed by people who are mature enough (I'm afraid that even some over 18s these days are still too immature for it to be suited for them to view)
hspexy I think the main problem it is one of it`s kind and it is the future of movies, so people and kids should see how it works...I found it too long, but like this they can make different movies in one....because u can choose the path...so lets say it can be sci-fi, horror, romantic or comedy...it is just a beginning of something revolutionary and it will be part of media studies...it is going to be in the history of media.
AgnesFaludi they have computer games that do such interactive path choices for a while now, so it certainly is a breakthrough for them to do this...but moving people away from reality??? sounds a bit dangerous...
hspexy not there yet, to be real lol....I like virtual reality....have no time to play my favorite game which gives unique path for everyone with unique character.
I never watch the BBC, in fact I rarely have time to even watch TV in the first place so I do not see why I should keep paying my TV license. It should be free for those in the upper income bracket in my humble opinion. We pay enough tax as it is!
Not sure if you meant you shouldn't need a licence or didn't have one, a lot think if they don't watch BBC they don't need a licence, and many have been caught out. If they watch any TV (not just the BBC) as the program is being transmitted they still need a licence.
lizzie95xx I wasn't sure exactly what you meant - so took no chances (so many people get caught out - they're ruthless). I could if I wished watch as many feature films as I wanted - for over £30 less than a TV licence and watch all other programs (except BBC) on catch up - and very many are now taking that option.
I phoned the TV licensing up and told them I don't watch normal TV the aerial is not plugged in I watch YouTube prime Netflix and dvds they sent me a letter out saying I don't need one
I'm surprised they never threatened you with a visit? my office, which used to be a residential flat, gets demand notices all the time, and we have had letters saying they will visit at any moment now...we are still waiting...and we are only down the road from the old BBC studios!
I cancelled mine in November when it was due to be renewed. I did that last year and my family were going on at me so much saying I was going to get fined even thought I wasn't watching BBC that I did renew it. No way was I doing that again. There's only been a few bbc 4 shows I wanted to watch so my parents recorded them and I watched them at their house. I have only watched 3 non bbc shows on catch up since November. Apart from that I watch youtube or achive.org or open culture where there are documentaries. Plenty to watch online. Better shows too.
I agree, we are not limited to the standard tv shows anymore, and there is far more original content online
with all the taxes people are paying i thought when I came here it will be free.. sad to say its not.. 
They did say I may get a visit but that is what the letter is for so I can show them I am exempt from the licence
well great to be exempted and have a letter to prove it. to be honest I don't think they actually turn up anymore as it is all electronic. they can check if you have a licence without turning up these days
I think they only visit if they have the intention to catch you out, and that requires a lot of effort and manpower, and even then they will not have access to your property to check if you do not give it to them. So it is hard for them to enforce
They can check if you have or haven't a licence - when they find that you haven't - that's when the fun starts. They usually write a few times then someone calls - you are not compelled by law to let them into your house without a warrant, I did because the chap who came was polite and I'd nothing to hide, you're not exactly exempted but they will usually leave you alone for a couple of years - then it's back to square one, as said earlier when I can get a free one, I'll get one! I might even watch some BBC catch up - I don't bear grudges.
sounds like they use a lot of the money they get from licenses to waste people's time
Nope. I still pay for one but mostly watch programs on my iPad. I hardly ever watch tv.
You still need a licence (which you say you've got) to watch via computers if you're watching programmes as they're transmitted. (or BBC on catch up) There are certain exemptions if you watch through things that are powered by an internal battery - but not if they're used whilst on charge. I'm not too savvy on those regulations, but do know many people have been caught out and prosecuted because of ignorance of them.. Often a home licence will cover you outside of it for certain portable devices. I'll try to check out the exact regulations and get back if I can get clarification.
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