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Original poster

Do you pay your TV license poll

251 replies

scoobysnaxx · 21/09/2026 14:07

Just interested based on a conversation with a friend recently.

IABU - I pay
IANBU - I don’t pay

if you don’t pay, have you had letters/consequences?

OP posts:
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PyongyangKipperbang · 25/09/2026 21:05

amraa · 25/09/2026 20:48

I pay begrudgingly, I don’t watch live tv at all, I hate the bbc and their bias reporting. Also the thieving scumbags could just add advertisement like every other channel, it’s pathetic.

Curious as to why you pay it.

amraa · 25/09/2026 20:48

I pay begrudgingly, I don’t watch live tv at all, I hate the bbc and their bias reporting. Also the thieving scumbags could just add advertisement like every other channel, it’s pathetic.

HexInductionHour · 25/09/2026 20:42

@sandwalk but you do get this. 3.45 minutes of it !

sandwalk · 24/09/2026 22:16

At least with iPlayer you don't get all this shit about the television not being part of the household and are you travelling like you do with Disney and Netflix,

Bjorkdidit · 24/09/2026 20:40

Reproician · 24/09/2026 12:40

I do pay, even though a colleague is constantly banging on about how you don't need to (no idea if that's true).

It's cheaper than most of the streaming platforms and I still think the BBC has the best content and makes the best programmes.

The licence fee works out at £15 a month. Most of the streaming platforms are less than this, especially as most of them do discounts, which the licence fee never has.

EmeraldDreams73 · 24/09/2026 13:21

I pay, never watch live TV but do watch the odd thing on iPlayer. It wouldn't occur to me to change what I watch or stop paying, I just see it as the cost of having a telly tbh (showing my age there, I know...)

Timeforachange26 · 24/09/2026 13:11

TallulahBetty · 24/09/2026 12:41

You do not need to have a TV to need a licence. Not saying YOU definitely need one, but but people are watching live TV and/or BBC iPlayer, it doesn't matter what device it is on.

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I'd never be able to read the subtitles if I tried watching it on my phone lol

HexInductionHour · 24/09/2026 12:56

Reproician · 24/09/2026 12:40

I do pay, even though a colleague is constantly banging on about how you don't need to (no idea if that's true).

It's cheaper than most of the streaming platforms and I still think the BBC has the best content and makes the best programmes.

Licence is not needed if NOT watching iPlayer or Live Broadcasts

TallulahBetty · 24/09/2026 12:41

Timeforachange26 · 22/09/2026 18:55

Why? I don't even have a tv in the house.

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You do not need to have a TV to need a licence. Not saying YOU definitely need one, but but people are watching live TV and/or BBC iPlayer, it doesn't matter what device it is on.

Reproician · 24/09/2026 12:40

I do pay, even though a colleague is constantly banging on about how you don't need to (no idea if that's true).

It's cheaper than most of the streaming platforms and I still think the BBC has the best content and makes the best programmes.

TallulahBetty · 24/09/2026 12:39

Yes. I am a debt advisor; I have seen clients arrested for not paying the court fines. Yes, that is an extreme example of wilful refusal to pay, but it can and does happen.

Butchyrestingface · 24/09/2026 12:37

BendoftheBeginning · 24/09/2026 12:34

What an unnecessarily mean comment.

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How is it 'unnecessarily mean' in response to a poster who accused everyone who says they don't want live TV/use iPlayer of lying? Confused

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 24/09/2026 12:37

BendoftheBeginning · 24/09/2026 12:34

What an unnecessarily mean comment.

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In what way is it "mean" to highlight the utter ignorance and stupidity of asserting anyone who does not watch television or require a TV Licence is a liar?

Butchyrestingface · 24/09/2026 12:36

I don't pay. I don't have a TV or watch live broadcasts on the internets.

And if anyone turned up to my home demanding entry to prove this, they'd be getting told to Foxtrot Oscar.

BendoftheBeginning · 24/09/2026 12:34

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 22/09/2026 15:31

Do you struggle to conceive of anyone perhaps being somehow different to you generally, or just when it comes to TV viewing habits?

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What an unnecessarily mean comment.

DraigCymraeg · 22/09/2026 21:04

icouldholditwithacobweb · 21/09/2026 14:31

I don't pay. I used to fill in the forms every year to say I don't have a TV (and never have had since I moved in) and oncve I was even stupid enough to allow someone into my home so they could verify there was no TV, but to be honest the threatening letters are pissing me off so much I just ignore them now. I don't watch any live or OD tv, I watch the streaming platforms I pay for and that's it. I would very much like the TV licensing people to leave me alone.

I once had a caller - after 8pm, on a wet winter's night, so obviously it was dark
Huge guy about 6'5".
I'm a 5'5" 62 year old woman, who lives alone.
Seriously?!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/09/2026 20:57

DP was convinced by his father that there wasn't anything that could be done about it, so there was no point even if you did watch live TV.

His girlfriend opened the door.

On the couple of occasions where he suggested that I cancelled it to save money, I just asked how much it cost them to not pay what was about 12 quid at the time.

Seeing as now people pay for Netflix, SKY, Disney, Amazon and everything else, a few quid that doesn't go into overseas companies' accounts doesn't seem excessive.

Timeforachange26 · 22/09/2026 18:55

maddiemookins16mum · 21/09/2026 17:13

Of course, I’m paying for a service I use every day. I don’t believe those who say they don’t need/pay for it because they don’t watch live TV or use iplayer.

Why? I don't even have a tv in the house.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 22/09/2026 15:31

maddiemookins16mum · 21/09/2026 17:13

Of course, I’m paying for a service I use every day. I don’t believe those who say they don’t need/pay for it because they don’t watch live TV or use iplayer.

Do you struggle to conceive of anyone perhaps being somehow different to you generally, or just when it comes to TV viewing habits?

Catza · 22/09/2026 15:30

HidingFromSunshine · 21/09/2026 21:15

I’ve copied this from elsewhere but I can’t disagree.

It’s bbc radio,
It’s the world service, it’s radio 6 promoting new bands. It’s radio 1 for the cool kids with dance and rap. It’s radio 4 and gardeners question time, the archers and comedy shows.
It’s live Glastonbury coverage
It’s investigations like panorama and newsnight. Which result in action being taken by police.
It’s world renowned wildlife documentaries with David Attenborough & springwatch. Teaching us all so much
It’s fantastic cbbc, horrible histories, operation ouch.
Incredible CBeebies, educational and no ads. Just great

It’s the microbit they developed. Affordable coding for all children.

It’s the acorn electron they developed. Affordable introduction of computing for children of the 80’s in every school.

It’s doctor who, small prophets and other entertainment shows.
It’s all the free recipes on the bbc website.
It’s regional tv, jobs and creativity up and down the country.
It’s Welsh language channels and Scottish channels.
Championing new comedy.
It help set up Irish speaking channels for the republic.
it’s a training and breeding ground for talent that’s incredibly well regarded across the world.
it returns £2.83 to the tax payer for every £1 spent

It’s precious and brilliant.

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Can you clarify the £2.83 please? Where is this figure from and in what form is this returned. I don't recall £300 landing in my bank account at the TV license renewal.
And if the "return" this much, maybe they can use this money to fund themselves for three years and give everyone a bit of a break during CoL crisis.

SquidgyPudge · 22/09/2026 15:09

ParkHse86 · 22/09/2026 13:26

I don't pay

Edited

This is the edited bit you removed: and I have BBC iPlayer streaming on my TV even when I'm not watching it.
They send me letters constantly. I throw them in the bin.

So you're proud of being a thief? Nice.

AbraCaStabYa · 22/09/2026 14:50

Nope. I pay for a few other subscriptions that I do use so certainly not paying the one I don't.

sandwalk · 22/09/2026 13:58

LeaderBee · 21/09/2026 21:07

Well that's fair enough really, im just surprised to see how many people are still watching broadcast television.

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I watch the whole lot, iPlayer isn't really any different to other streaming channels, it has series and films on it to watch when you want.

HidingFromSunshine · 22/09/2026 13:50

Credittocress · 22/09/2026 13:41

Live Glastonbury coverage? 🤣🤣🤣 God I’m pleased I don’t pay.

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Yeah. It’s amazing, so well done. They cover the main stages. The coverage is phenomenal

DreamieWhat · 22/09/2026 13:45

I don't pay because I don't watch live TV so have no reason to. And absolutely don't watch anything BBC related.

We pay for Disney and Netflix and watch youtube.

And no we don't watch any of the live fights on Netflix either. Or football.

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