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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:
MorrisseysMisery · 21/09/2026 14:35

Nope. Not paid it in my 30 years of being an adult.

alexdgr8 · 21/09/2026 14:34

I don't have a tv licence as I strictly avoid doing anything that requires one.
I have to make a declaration of this and asked about it by the authorities from time to time.
Via email. No visits.

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.

Londonrach1 · 21/09/2026 14:30

I pay. I don't know anyone who doesn't.

Weekmindedfool · 21/09/2026 14:30

I don’t pay it. We only watch live tv once in a blue moon as it’s for the most part the same
old rubbish as 20 years ago.

ChocolateApples · 21/09/2026 14:29

I pay. I deplore the running down of the BBC, but not paying will only make that worse.

Yetone · 21/09/2026 14:28

Yes I do.

unfaithfulornot · 21/09/2026 14:27

I don’t and I won’t 😊

Yetone · 21/09/2026 14:27

Licence noun
License verb

Iheartmysmart · 21/09/2026 14:24

I don’t watch live tv and only have Netflix, Prime and Disney + so no need for a licence. I used to declare that but couldn’t be bothered this year. The letters have started and apparently on 10 September TV Licensing began an investigation into my property and a visit has been authorised. I’m positively quaking in my boots.

MrsBeesBakedBeans · 21/09/2026 14:22

I pay it and I don't know what all the fuss is about. I watch TV therefore I should pay?

Butsometimesnot · 21/09/2026 14:20

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 21/09/2026 14:14

I pay, and I'm happy to do so. I don't watch much live TV but I do watch the news sometimes and I also use iplayer.

i don’t begrudge it either
in fact I have no idea how much it costs! It’s on a DD…. I’ll check

but I like it for the odd incredibly good drama and news

Butsometimesnot · 21/09/2026 14:18

What about you @scoobysnaxx ?

AgentPidge · 21/09/2026 14:18

I pay, and I'm happy to, because I value it. I think we'd be the poorer without eg Radio 4 and programmes like From Our Own Correspondent and University Challenge. The recent programme about the Bayeux Tapestry was brilliant - I learnt loads. There's a place for public service broadcasting.

ScholesPanda · 21/09/2026 14:18

I pay. I like Radio 3/4/6, none of which would be viable in their current form commercially (I know I don't have to pay for radio, but it is where the funding comes from).

We also stream stuff on iPlayer if we see a good review or have it recommended. We don't watch linear TV very often anymore.

LondonPapa · 21/09/2026 14:18

I don’t pay. In fairness I don’t watch UK TV. I know you’re meant to pay for foreign TV too but they’ll never know!

OriginalSkang · 21/09/2026 14:16

I pay. I watch Traitors on iPlayer on the TV once a year 😁

Notbridezilla · 21/09/2026 14:16

I pay. I think the BBC is great (I'm never not listening to either radio 2 or radio 4 and I watch a few BBC programmes on iPlayer), so no issues from me.

chirrupybird · 21/09/2026 14:15

I use it so I pay.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 21/09/2026 14:14

I pay, and I'm happy to do so. I don't watch much live TV but I do watch the news sometimes and I also use iplayer.

44PumpLane · 21/09/2026 14:12

I enjoy Call the Midwife and Ludwig, my husband enjoys a lot of BBC radio and comedy so we pay it as we absolutely use it.

Butsometimesnot · 21/09/2026 14:12

I pay

Jellybunny98 · 21/09/2026 14:11

I pay, we do watch TV though so couldn’t make the excuse we don’t need one.

The family 2 doors up from us are very vocal about not paying for one though and we have on quite a few occasions saw the people at their door. No idea if they need one, or if there have been any consequences beyond the knocks at the door but they do come out to check clearly.

Yhjan · 21/09/2026 14:09

I pay it but I begrudge it. Because I don’t really watch TV. I prefer Netflix and YouTube on the actual TV. I might watch something that needs a licence occasionally. They hound you for not having a licence. It’s gross

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 21/09/2026 14:08

I no longer need one, so I do not pay.

They sent me some shitty letters, threatened to send people round (no one turned up on the date given in the letter). They have gone away now apparently.

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