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Has anyone cancelled or considering cancelling their TV licence?

143 replies

Plump82 · 05/02/2019 15:57

We rarely watch live TV and have Netflix so are considering cancelling our TV licence. I know we can't watch Iplayer but looking on the TV licence website it seems we can more or less watch everything else on catch up.
I know we can declare not needing one online but will we get hassled with people knocking at our door?

OP posts:
anniehm · 05/02/2019 21:21

You can watch sky without a licence but you need one for channel 4, itv and of course the bbc, there's some slightly dodgy advise above.

Hwgaaaaa · 05/02/2019 21:26

You can watch sky without a licence but you need one for channel 4, itv and of course the bbc, there's some slightly dodgy advise above.
You need one for sky as its for any live TV channel, even if it's a channel that's not from in the UK, which always annoys me.

Off the TV licence website:
"If you’re watching live TV, you need to be covered by a TV Licence:

if you’re watching on TV or on an online TV service
for all channels, not just the BBC
if you record a programme and watch it later
if you watch a programme on a delay
to watch or record repeats
to watch or record programmes on +1, +2 and +24 channels
to watch live programmes on Red Button services
even if you already pay for cable, satellite or other TV services"

castielchace · 05/02/2019 21:26

@longtimelurkerhelen..thank you so much,I've just seen your thread...what a cheeky madam..I might dare to ring again tomorrow 😂thanks again XX

ivykaty44 · 05/02/2019 21:28

Annuehm - which bits are the dodgy advise?

longtimelurkerhelen · 05/02/2019 21:36

@castielchace

I wouldn't bother ringing them, just do it online, link is in an above post. Just untune your tv and cancel the Direct Debit with your bank and you are most welcome.

Crustaceans · 05/02/2019 21:39

You can watch sky channels on demand via now tv without a tv licence.

You could presumably subscribe to actual sky and only use the on demand services without a tv licence. But I’m not sure why anyone would do that.

MIVA · 05/02/2019 21:43

We didn't have a tv licence at our old house as we were out during the day and only used Netflix on a night. We had someone from tv licensing come to the house and my partner explained that we didn't watch the live channels and we didn't have a licence but we got fined!
Is there anyway we can claim this money back?

MessEnoughClean · 05/02/2019 21:54

Can you get Netflix through the now tv box??

Not on the Now TV box (unless they have a new one out) but if you get a Roku box instead you can watch Netflix (and Now TV, Prime and all the rest) through that. I don't know if they're they same company but the remotes are identical to the Now TV ones

MyDcAreMarvel · 05/02/2019 22:08

Yes you can get Netflix on now tv box it’s newly added to available apps.

MsJuniper · 05/02/2019 22:12

Definitely have tv licence, I love the BBC and rarely watch any other channels - occasionally C4 for comedy. Often live but usually on iPlayer.

Butterymuffin · 05/02/2019 22:24

Does radio usage come into it at all? I listen to 2, 4 and 6 alot in the car.

Even if technically you don't need a TV licence for this, the TV licence financially supports the BBC and thus its radio output too. So you're effectively saying 'I consume lots of what they provide but I'd like other people to pay for it for me'.

evenbetter · 06/02/2019 00:15

lonicera nope, I watch all the shite of the day-ITV app to watch old episodes of trash, YouTube documentaries, Channel4 app to watch old episodes of the Inbetweeners and some American show, plus use Netflix etc. The BBC calling their fee a ‘license’ and sending big bruisers round your door and threatening letters is shambolic, in 2019 I imagine most younger generations access more relevant and interesting content than bog standard tv and radio, hopefully this fee will die out.

SushiMonster · 06/02/2019 01:57

No way. BBC is fab.

LoniceraJaponica · 06/02/2019 06:55

I have no objection to the BBC changing the model of how they are funded. What concerns me is this means that they may stop making some of the quality programmes that they do. Some of these programmes are sold to non BBC channels and stations that many of you watch.

And can someone please explain this bias that offends some of you. I am not a political person and seem to be oblivious to it.

ivykaty44 · 06/02/2019 07:47

Some of these programmes are sold to non BBC channels and stations that many of you watch.

Sold being the operative word, they are selling programs paid for by the licence holders, bbc is a business when it suits

stargirl1701 · 06/02/2019 07:55

No. I would pay the licence fee for just CBeebies alone.

I also enjoy R3 and R4. I am happy to contribute to those stations being able to continue broadcasting.

Xiaoxiong · 06/02/2019 08:26

We didn't have one for about 5 years but bought one just before the London 2012 olympics opening ceremony because we wanted to watch it live. Since then we keep it up because of the amount of Cbeebies and radio we listen to - I know you don't technically need a licence for that alone, but it's such a fantastic thing to have ad-free kids shows and radio stations that can be brave. The difference between Classic FM and R3 is huge and there is nothing like R4 at all. A friend in the US asked me what podcasts I listen to and I was like...we have a whole channel of daily-changing podcasts, plus news as well!

Spidersbaby · 06/02/2019 08:30

I watch BBC so I pay a licence. I also listen to the radio a lot. I think it represents good value for money and will be really sad when it goes as it inevitably will one day.

dontgobaconmyheart · 06/02/2019 08:42

Timely thread, I've been thinking of cancelling this week, we can't even get a signal on our tv so I haven't watched it in a year. I watch huge amounts of Amazon prime/netflix/now tv though, and don't forget lots of things can also be streamed freely on YouTube. Just out of interest has anyone let a tv license inspector in? What do they do Confused. The only thing putting me off is the thought of stressful visits and letters, which is annoying. I need to woman up, it seems.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence/

Some useful info above to clear up a lot of confusion.

ivykaty44 · 06/02/2019 09:00

Yes my dad had a tv inspector in, he knocked on the door and said who he was. Father said take a look 👀 the inspector poked his head round the door and left quickly. No drama no searching

owl2015 · 06/02/2019 09:09

The BBC has its flaws- definite political bias- obviously since the government currently has BBC's balls in its grip. And some shite shows like Mrs Browns Boys- the least said the better!

However, David Attenborough's documentary highlighting the problem of plastic in our oceans has arguably changed the way this country and the world produces plastic forever, and made a genuine difference. Huge companies like Starbucks and others are now using paper straws for one tiny example. This alone would be enough to justify the license fee which after all isn't a huge amount.

Also there have been some really good dramas over recent years, like Apple Tree Yard, and so on, alongside the family type entertainment.

The radio stations are all really varied and cater for all tastes, and the BBC Sounds / podcasts cater for any whim- you can literally learn about anything you choose.

I have Radio 4 on all day and value it greatly. I have to watch Channel 4 news to give myself a balance though.

I think the main problem is how the license fee is presented to us, and how it is enforced. If it was rolled into our income tax, we would be less likely to complain or even notice the outlay I suspect. The officious manner of the people who come to check is unnecessary.

GummyGoddess · 06/02/2019 09:28

I would be rather cross if it was rolled into income tax. I don't watch television because every single channel is full of crap I don't want to watch and haven't for over a decade. I don't listen to radio or look at the BBC website, so I am unsure why I should pay for something I don't use and actively dislike.

cherrylo86 · 06/02/2019 09:36

We have Netflix, Amazon, Now TV and Disney Life. We have paid for the TV license for the last year but its up for renewal soon, seriously considering not paying again as our aerial is broken, we moved in 2 years ago and have never watched live TV apart from on the very rare occasion watching BTCC racing through ITV player, think we could cope without this and just watch it on catch up though. I honestly thought you needed one if you owned a TV, this thread has opened my eyes!! We never watch anything on the iplayer either and we don't listen to BBC radio stations!

LoniceraJaponica · 06/02/2019 11:52

Every single channel has nothing at all you want to watch Gummy?

Wow, you are difficult to please.

So you dislike drama, documentaries, wildlife programmes, comedy, music, sport or anything at all?

Hwgaaaaa · 06/02/2019 12:00

I think rather then going income tax based it should be subscription based like sky or Netflix, with a code or whatever to put in and it shouldn't encompass all live TV, as its ridiculous that even live viewing of TV channels that don't receive TV licence money, such as if you want to watch foreign channels live online are behind the TV licence.