How to avoid paying TV licence ??

[medianewbie]

I'm done with the BBC. I don't watch live TV. I sometimes watch iplayer.
Can I cancel my direct debit ?

You can't watch iPlayer without a TV licence.

Just cancel and ignore.

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OK. I will stop watching iplayer then.
I'll just watch Netflix & other channels.
In which case I can cancel with no grief ?

If you want to watch iplayer then you’re not done with the BBC.

Is this by any chance because they followed employment law?

Cancel and ignore or go on there website and declare you don't need one as you don't watch live TV. As for iplayer you shouldn't watch it with no license but fook them!! Never have never will pay for one.

We got rid of everything except Netflix and cancelled our TV licence. Saved a good amount of money and found we spend more time doing other things - win win!

The only programme I really miss since I stopped watching live TV four years ago is probably Call The Midwife especially Christmas special, but I have got into audiobooks instead. Its my new normal OP😊

The TV licence applies to all live TV (UK and foreign) and BBC iPlayer. If you’re watching any live TV, you need a licence.

I think you will get grief if you cancel

Cancel the license, get a refund if you're owed.

Then ignore any letters they send.
If a licensing goon turns up, say
"No thank you"
Close the door

Licensing goons have no power at all. They're not BBC employees, they are still, I believe, a part of Capita. The same Capita that did disability assessment that saw people commit suicide a few years back.

The only power they have is conveyed by a court ordered warrant. If they don't have a warrant, they have no powers of entry and the only evidence they can gather is from public spaces by looking in your windows. Without a warrant, if they enter private spaces or private property, they're trespassing and you can call the police and complain to TV licensing.

If you cancel and don't declare you don't need a licence, they can prosecute, leading to a conviction and fine. It is very common (I used to work within that part of the court service and dealt with a lot of TV Licensing cases). Best thing is to go onto the website, check exactly what is and isn't covered, and then ask for a certificate to say you're exempt.

Complete a declaration form online to say you don't watch live tv www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

Not had a licence for almost 2 years. I miss certain quiz programmes but basically no loss. Too expensive, too corrupt for my liking.

Had a few letters but no bother really.

I think a lot of people are cancelling lately and more will do so in the wake of recent events too. Bbc needs to get a grip really, they're pricing themselves outta the market and reputation is massively tarnished

It is because I have just learned that the BBC knew of HE category A pic accusations last November, yes.
I appreciate they were accusations at that point. I appreciate they have to follow employment law.
However, not only am I a survivor of CSA myself but I used to work with young adult survivors of CSA. 1 lass had been sent to Cornton Vale prison for non payment of her TV licence (poverty not badness). An 18 year old who went to jail - I've never forgotten her. The BBC's continued approach to sex abusers sickens me. I'll stop watching live BBC. I didn't know if I could still watch recorded BBC or other channels without grief. My direct debit comes out tonight & I want to cancel.

If you don’t watch live tv or watch iplayer you don’t need a licence. Despite that you’ll get threatening letters… just bin them. I had a guy from Capita come round and he agreed that I don’t need a licence and the letters would stop… they didn’t but they mean nothing so they go straight into the recycling bin.

I find it incredible that the BBC get away with sending the letters. If you cancel something because you don’t use it that should be an end to it.

Cancel, Stop watching I played, stop watching live tv, every two years fill in the form to say you still don’t need one if you don’t want to be bombarded with letters.

ive been without for I think 13 years give or take

Log in and tell them.

if anyone turns up at the door refuse to answer any questions and refuse to let them in.

our TV has been in a cupboard under the stairs for at least 5 years and I’ve never been happier.

I used to work both for TV Licensing and HMCTS. You've missed out the bit about the need to provide evidence of unlicensed viewing or recording. A TV Licence Inspector has to be able to swear on oath that they have physically seen or heard that a householder is viewing or recording live TV or BBC iPlayer. Or that the viewer has admitted it. Two inspectors is usual in such a visit.

You cannot be prosecuted for not having a TV licence merely if you have a TV installed, even if an aerial or other source is connected.

I don't understand why people are saying "ignore the letters". It's very simple to fill in a form declaring that you don't need a licence.

I wonder how much the BBC spends chasing up people who just ignore their letters!

I cancelled and completed the declaration on their website, got a little bit of money back. I hadn't watched it for over a year anyways so I was paying money for nothing. Haven't had any letters from them or anything.

The exact rules are here:
TV Licencing but worth noting it covers ANY live TV in the UK, no matter which channel it is. That page is also very geared towards buying one of course.
Here's a relevant FAQ:

What channels can I watch without a TV Licence?
You can watch on demand programmes on all catch up services other than BBC iPlayer, like ITVX and All 4, without a TV Licence. You need a TV Licence to watch or stream live TV on any streaming platform, channel or device.

Try to think of the bigger picture. The BBC make so many fabulous programmes that appeal to niche audiences. Country file, Antiques Roadshow, local news, radio stations etc.

Once they're gone all that's left will be shite US TV that still costs at least £10 a month. If you're happy with that then go ahead, but I think it's very short-sighted and sad.