[Closed] Anyone decided to ditch the TV licence?

id be happy to do this if it wasnt for 6 music. never watch live stuff these days.

Ditched it just before Christmas. Two letters through the door already, with a mildly threatening tone to them!

Ditched ours years ago. Don't really miss it. Plenty to watch without. Live TV just sucks you in.

Isn't our amazing new PM going to scrap it anyway?

@sadexpunk you don't need a licence for radio.

We rarely if ever watch tv in our house beyond a bit of Netflix.

Personally though happy to keep paying the fee purely for the radio side. If it wasn’t for the radio though I’d probably look to stop.

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.
This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

From here: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

I don't understand how you prove you never watch live TV and therefore don't need a TV license?

No, despite not even having a tv aerial, because I value the relative independence of the BBC, and radio without brain numbing adverts. It’s brilliant value for what you get, but only because everyone (cept you lot ⬆️🙄) pays it.

I don’t understand how you prove you never watch live TV and therefore don’t need a TV license?

They need to prove you do rather than you having to prove you don't.

(Despite what Capita might try to tell you)

We've not had a TV for years, but have a license as the wife used to watch Strictly on iPlayer. I'd happily ditch it as I don't watch anything from the BBC.

@sadexpunk you don’t need a licence for radio.

whaaat? when did that change?

thanks

Also thinking about ditching it after the election coverage. Only watch the apprentice (don't judge 😀) live and that's it.

Listen to radio 4, 6 and Scotland though so that's keeping me paying. at the moment.

The alternative of a no publically funded BBC world is pretty sure. But it's not as big a loss as it would once have been.

Here in Sweden the TV licence is paid through your taxes. Clever huh!

Haven't had one since we moved last June. Had the letter through just before Christmas which precipitated this debate in our house. Think we'll probably pay it even though we don't watch telly. I don't want to live in a sans Radio 4 world.

Ditched it in 2012, because digital reception was crap so I'd ended up watching everything on catchup anyway. I thought I'd miss it, but I never did. Losing the i-player when the law changed was annoying but from my point of view, the value for money wasn't worth it, less content for nearly double the price of Netflix!

I don't believe the current licence model is sustainable with subscription streaming services. Either the BBC will become increasingly less relevant, the fees will need to reduce to bring the i-player in line with other services or the law will have to change. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

@larrydavid you don’t need a licence for radio.

Don't listen to BBC radio and the only two things i've watched on BBC in over 6 months was Wor Of The Worlds and a Christmas Carol and they were crap. IMO the BBC is an antiquated establishment that should be scrapped.

Haven't had one for over ten years but fairly conficted about it as I use the BBC news website and appreciate advert free radio, 6-music in particular. I feel they're a real asset to the UK and make a huge contribution to nurturing UK creativity and then selling it round the world.

Would be happy for them to get more tax payer funding to help them fend off the Murdochs and their ilk, but I somehow can't see that happening with the current administration.

For what a fully free market, privatised media landscape without the Beeb would look like just check out the USA *shudders*

@larrydavid you don’t need a licence for radio.

I know, but I feel bad about using something so frequently (which is so much better than commercial) and not contributing paying for it (even though so much more as a percentage goes to stuff like strictly, MoTD etc. etc.).

That said I'm listening to BBC radio less and less as I switch to podcasts more

Also, I'm not exactly enamoured by this BritBox thing:

Pay the licence fee, pay for BBC programmes on Netflix... and then get to pay again!

we use iplayer & ceebeebies a lot with the kids

but also use iplayer for us some great shows & comedies on there

also 6 music

newsnight best news analysis

not sure it justifies the fee, but im happy to pay it if it upsets DM readers

I don’t understand how you prove you never watch live TV and therefore don’t need a TV license?

You don't have to prove anything. The enforcement people have no powers beyond sending threatening letters and peeping through the window.

Don’t listen to BBC radio and the only two things i’ve watched on BBC

You need a licence for broadcast TV generally, not just the BBC. See Tom's post above.

So you'd need a license to watch live coverage of Rampage on Red Bull's Youtube channel?

So you’d need a license to watch live coverage of Rampage on Red Bull’s Youtube channel?

Yes, slightly daft as it seems.

The licence fee isn't paid directly to the BBC, it's a licence to watch live broadcasts. Which is then used to fund the BBC.

Here in Sweden the TV licence is paid through your taxes. Clever huh!

Thanks to the unique way Swedish TV is funded that's what the propaganda would say isn't it.

The alternative of a no publically funded BBC world is pretty sure. But it’s not as big a loss as it would once have been.

The loss wouldn't be the BBC, that would still exist, just with adverts, arguably it would improve as despite advertising revenues falling the budgets at ITV etc are much higher.

The loss would be that it would start a race to the bottom. Going after the lowest common denominator and only commissioning mass audience shows. Love or hate A Christmas Carol, at least it's not another Cold Feet Christmas special. No more BBC4, R4, test match cricket, infact probably little mainstream coverage of anything other than profitable stuff like mens football. ITV news has to compete with BBC for viewers, so has to appeal to everyone. Remove that competition and you'd end up with a USA style CNN Vs Fox choice.

Independent news coverage is worth having, even if no one watched it, that wouldn't prove the alternative is better, it proves the alternative is telling people what they want to hear.

And in a different way, think about it as funding for the Arts. It's a whole creative industry churning out producers, directors, script writers, actors, cameramen, researchers, editors, and a whole plethora of technical trades too.

I watch a lot of BBC output. Even though a fair chuck is shown in various other channels, it's been made by the Beeb.

Hell, without the BBC output a lot of the factual channels wouldn't have much to broadcast... Well, not much that would interest me anyway!

I'm very Pro BBC. One of those things you would only realise the worth of if it were to disappear or go adverts....which would totally change much of its programming.

The loss wouldn’t be the BBC, that would still exist, just with adverts, arguably it would improve as despite advertising revenues falling the budgets at ITV etc are much higher.

So do you think the advertising market would expand to give the BBC the extra funding, or would it dilute the already declining advertising pot even further, probably causing a loss of revenue for ITV etc (so even worse content there) or an increase in subcriptions for Sky to make up the shortfall in ad revenue.

I still use the BBC as much, if not more than, other TV channels, plus Radios 2, 4 & 5. I'm happy to pay the 50p per day it costs us.

I use BBC TV and radio 6 a lot. CBeebies is great babysitter! I used to use the website for news but since the Tories messed with it has gone downhill.
The license covers the IPlayer too so even if like may you don't watch live TV you still require it. I've always been a great supporter of the BBC, having see the alternatives. However, C4 shows that good programming can be done on a commercial network and more than anything it's fast becoming irrelevant in the world of streaming.

Thanks to the unique way Swedish TV is funded that’s what the propaganda would say isn’t it.

Well they only brought it in last year,  in part so the goverment can control all thought and how we think, but mainly I think to stop all the know it all bores on the internet having the same tired debates over and over again

So you’d need a license to watch live coverage of Rampage on Red Bull’s Youtube channel?

What happens if you pause it for five seconds then continue? No longer live, you're watching on catch-up.
The idea that they could get you for watching Amazon Prime seems like a massive over reach.

Not that they could get you at all unless you confess.

First thing I noticed once I emigrated was how good the BBC is, while we’re on the subject of moaning I used to complain about NHS, postal service and public transportation, all were far superior in the UK than where I am now

So don’t wish it away

What happens if you pause it for five seconds then continue? No longer live, you’re watching on catch-up.

youd still need a licence. its still 'live tv' that youve accessed and recorded. youd have to watch it through a catch-up service i believe.

you don’t need a licence for radio.

whaaat? when did that change?

1971

What happens if you pause it for five seconds then continue? No longer live, you’re watching on catch-up.

No, you’re not, you’re watching a buffered live transmission. Catch-up allows you to watch a show after its live transmission has ended, just like you do after recording a programme on your Sky box or whatever.

I watch MOTD and enjoy the fa cup coverage. Equally whilst I go to the RL Challenge Cup final each year, I enjoy the coverage of the earlier rounds and semi's etc. There were a couple of decent RL documentaries through iplayer last year. Radio 1, 4 and 6 get a lot of listening through the family, as does some of the nature stuff both live and on iplayer. We enjoy the odd thing like Lufer and a couple of other bits and bobs. Oh yeah, cbeebies/ cbbc and some of the on line learning stuff has had some hammer by the kids, and I could totally lose myself in the Waybuloo's. So, whilst maybe a stw minority, I'm not really stressing about the license fee.

The BBC isn’t perfect but it’s so much better than pretty much any other broadcaster. And for, what, £11 a month it’s an absolute bargain.
I really struggle to see how you can knock it for that cost.

You need a licence for broadcast TV generally, not just the BBC. See Tom’s post above.

I know that, thats why I begrudgingly pay for a TV licence. They should either put adverts on or scramble the signal and you have to pay if you want it.

And for, what, £11 a month it’s an absolute bargain.

Not if you don't watch it it isn't.

I have Netflix and amazon prime, which at a time amounted to the same as a tv license.

I wish they ditched the tv license or reduced specifically to watching bbc. I cannot comprehend why I have to pay for a license to watch discovery channel through my paid amazon prime/sky through my paid internet.

We did back in 2010 when we moved somewhere without a TV. Reinstated in 2012 as we realised how important the BBC is.

The next part of the question, at what point does an offence occur?

There's no law against owning recieving equipment. For example, I'd not expect the have to remove the tuner from my smart TV, not take the dish off the side of the house.

We can receive radio channels through the sky dish and play them through the sound bar - again, not against the rules.

I assume watching isn't the offence as blind people still need a licence. I'm assuming then, that it must be broadcasting it in your home.

I'd happily pay it to support bbc radio 4 alone. I listen for hours every day. It teaches me loads, keeps me from boredom at work and helps me sleep at night.

I cannot comprehend why I have to pay for a license to watch discovery channel through my paid amazon prime/sky through my paid internet

Because it's a tax. It was officially classified as a tax (rather than a service charge) in 2006 by ONS. Consider insurance premium tax - you get nothing at all for that.

Another vote for the BBC. Not perfect, but it is so important to have it. Just watch telly in the US for a few mins and it looks like the biggest bargain ever. All for less than most of us would piss away on some bike bit we don’t need.

The BBC is pretty poor, really. I can think of only a handful of shows commissioned by the BBC in the last 20 years that have actually been good. And when the shows are actually good, they make 2 series of 6 episodes and that's it. In contrast, they make millions of hours of puerile fluff, like Eastenders, Casualty, shit daytime TV, etc, etc.

If they launched a streaming service with this quality of programming on it and charged £11 a month it would be a massive flop.

JP

David Attenborough docs?
Have I got news for you?
Mock the week?

That's the only 3 things the beeb has going for it IMO.

Their news programmes are biased as they have to be careful what they say.

I don't realy care either way for that reason.
Other avenues will open up to quality content producers.

I just get the impression the beeb have to pander to whoever is in UK government slightly.. Sword of damaclese and all that.

Pffft.

Get rid of the BBC and Mr Fox will be giving us our news with an advert break every 2 minutes. Messing with R4 is one of only a handful of things that would get me out on the streets (probably with a grammatically correct banner showing mild disapproval).

We don't watch the tv anymore (mainly youtube and netflix), but still pay it. I think for all it's failings it's an institution that should survive. Happy to fund it - I get my moneys worth from the bbc website and a bit of R4 - I've also seen other countries effort at TV!

Haven't had a license for 20 year or so, very very occasionally plug the Ariel in to watch live TV. Netflix, Amazon and YouTube cover my viewing requirements.
Had tonnes of letters, ignored them all and never had a knock on the door.
I don't get letters threating me about needing a fishing, dog or pilots licence, the BBC can do one.
High time it was made a subscription service for those that want it.
If I wanted a leftwing view of the world I would buy the guardian instead. (I don't)

I also forgot to mention Ski Sunday, I love Ski Sunday and I don't even ski ⛷.

I ditched the licence a year ago, dont miss it. i only use youtube and netflix which dont need a licence

Happy to pay it as the BBC is still the best of its type in the world. People tend to focus too much on what BBC1 puts out (and yes much of it is tripe) but they fund and produce so many other top quality shows on TV and radio that probably wouldn't be made otherwise as they will never have mass market appeal.

I would genuinely pay my licence fee for Radio 4 alone. In fact I would probably happily pay it if all they broadcast were The Archers and anything John Finnemore has written.

Messing with R4 is one of only a handful of things that would get me out on the streets (probably with a grammatically correct banner showing mild disapproval).

Reminds me of the flood of complaints when someone on the news team used the phrase "one pence" a few years ago.

The wording in the Communications Act 2003 part 4 references

A television receiver must not be installed or used unless the installation and use of the receiver is authorised by a licence under this Part.

I think it's the "installed" part that would get tricky. If like me, you listen to the radio through the sound bar - TV - satalite dish I guess it counts as installed.

Haven’t had a license for 20 year or so, very very occasionally plug the Ariel in to watch live TV. Netflix, Amazon and YouTube cover my viewing requirements.
Had tonnes of letters, ignored them all and never had a knock on the door.
I don’t get letters threating me about needing a fishing, dog or pilots licence, the BBC can do one.
High time it was made a subscription service for those that want it.
If I wanted a leftwing view of the world I would buy the guardian instead. (I don’t)

I’d happily pay an extra tenner towards the manpower required to make a case and prosecute licence fee dodgers like this one who think that they are above the law. Benefits from services paid for by all, thinks he’s somehow entitled to not pay his share, making us all proportionally pay a little more as a result. Classy. Wonder if he pays his car tax, or whether he brags about dodging that one, too?

Also, it’s aerial. Ariel was a little mermaid, and a washing powder.

I think it’s the “installed” part that would get tricky.

"... or used."

Hard to use it if it's not installed. Not using it is sufficient.

They should advertise or go to a subscription service and not use tax payers money. And if they can't survive advertising then tuff shit, let it dissapear into history.

Ariel was a little mermaid, and a washing powder.

And the in-house newspaper at the BBC, ironically. PAID FOR BY LICENCE-PAYERS MONEY!

I’d happily pay an extra tenner towards the manpower required to make a case and prosecute licence fee dodgers like this one who think that they are above the law. Benefits from services paid for by all, thinks he’s somehow entitled to not pay his share, making us all proportionally pay a little more as a result. Classy. Wonder if he pays his car tax, or whether he brags about dodging that one, too?

You sound exactly like the sort of self righteous and unquestioning sheeple the BBC is relying on to keep their gravy train of gross waste & warped P.C. culture on the rails.

If you dont use any of the BBC's services , which is quite easy as most of it is garbage , then a person of reasonable mind will probably challenge the fact that they are legally forced to contribute to Gary LInkers £1.6million a year wages to chat about football twice a week.

And the in-house newspaper at the BBC, ironically. PAID FOR BY LICENCE-PAYERS MONEY!

Not since 2011, apparently, when it was wound up due to the latest round of cutbacks at the time. Interesting coincidence though.

You sound exactly like the sort of self righteous and unquestioning sheeple the BBC is relying on to keep their gravy train of gross waste & warped P.C. culture on the rails.

Unquestioning sheeple? 😂 Maybe take a look at yourself as you frothingly regurgitate wholesale bylines from the daily mail 🙄 (I’m sure I’m influenced by media too; I expect we are two sides of the same coin to be honest).

They should advertise or go to a subscription service and not use tax payers money.

A subscription service would still use "tax payers money." Unless you're suggesting that only the unemployed would sign up to such a service.

warped P.C. culture

What sort of non-PC culture would you prefer? Bringing back Alf Garnett and Mind Your Language?

I watch so little BBC or Freeview at all, in recent months I've watched part of Seven Worlds One Planet and Dracula on iPlayer. While I don't agree at all with the pay that Strictly and MOTD presenters are getting.

“… or used.”

Hard to use it if it’s not installed. Not using it is sufficient.

Yep, it says "or". They can have you for watching, which is easy to not do, "or" they can have you if it's installed, which it would be for legitimate use of the radio.

I couldn’t; I’d miss “Only Connect”.