How to stop paying for my TV licence

[caravantulips]

I like the BBC and have never really begrudged my monthly direct debit but seeing the news that the licence fee is £180 this year it’s made me question it’s value as it’s only me who watches it.

I never watch BBC live (except for the news back in Covid times) but use iPlayer a lot. Should I just cancel the direct debit and delete the iPlayer app from my TV? Is this enough?

I do have the BBC news app on my phone and it’s my sole choice for news as it’s (supposed to be!!) impartial. Do you know if I can still use this? What about the videos on the BBC news channel?

I have I get this once I put my licence number in, it won’t let me cancel online at all,

There is no way that the Government will dump the BBC. They might change how the licence fee is gathered but the fundamental aims of the BBC is so important to our society
The BBC's core purpose, as defined by its Royal Charter, is to act in the public interest by informing, educating, and entertaining all audiences. It aims to provide impartial news, support learning, reflect the UK's diverse communities, and showcase British culture and values worldwide.
It is such an integral part of education in the Uk. Getting rid of the BBC would penalise the poorest children in society. No Government wants society to rely on social media as a news source. Misinformation and conspiracy theories are too dangerous.

I wonder if eventually the BBC will become part subscription with a core news/health/british values free element. I love the BBC and hope it manages to avoid this though but guess that there will be no choice if too many people cancel subscriptions.

The BBC's core purpose, as defined by its Royal Charter, is to act in the public interest by informing, educating, and entertaining all audiences. It aims to provide impartial news, support learning, reflect the UK's diverse communities, and showcase British culture and values worldwide.
well its failing at that isn’t it? Look at the threads here and other media coverage.
ive read how leaked internal memos have alleged serious and systemic bias, as evidenced by the senior staff resignations re the edited footage of that Trump speech and the clear trans support bias.

Hilarious how some people can’t imagine a life where you don’t listen to BBC radio LBC and heart for radio.

I swap subscriptions every couple of months which works well for me. I do like traitors but I watched that with my Nan who does have a licence, just like how my friend comes over here for bake off as I pay for channel 4 premium.

For any educational needs we use school resources, paid for workbooks or tutors.

I honestly do not believe the BBC plays any role in my life, and will not pay for the role it plays in others. It’s mind boggling that some think I should! Should I also pay for their Netflix?!

step 1 - cancel their DD on your online banking
step 2 - do not ring them or contact them you are not obliged to, and they will have the advantage of having your name and contact details (email addy) if you do
step 3 - don’t watch live TV or use iPlayer
step 4 - ignore every pathetic little waste of paper letter they will start sending you and deposit in the recycling bin
step 5 - enjoy your savings

Well yes, there are plenty of meaningless titles, but those you have mentioned require qualifications and permit a degree of authority.

There are no qualifications required to be a TV licence goon.

@Nolongera i love the ‘goon visits’ videos on YouTube, apart from the one that attempts to push the door in on a young single terrified woman, that one is disturbing.

@nomoreforks they can’t stand the idea of subscription only because it would cost too much to implement, don’t forget we are talking about a service that doesn’t even rquire a simple licence number check on log into their iplayer, no authentication, nothing ! also they know that they won’t get anywhere near the billions of revenue they get with the ‘current’ system. They are so behind the times and so complacent and lazy

They have a record of picking on women as easy trusting targets who imagine an " officer" has status.

There is one video where they have a warrant and enter a property and attempt to turn the TV on, way beyond what they are entitled to do.

Were it not for my partner I would get rid of the licence and just go YouTube premium and catch-up on the home BBC channels.

Good to know, thank you. I stopped buying a licence last year and they incdicated no Prime at all.

As I recall....if you scroll further down there IS the option to cancel online
Unless they have changed it again in the last few months
They want you to think you have to call them

My thoughts exactly. People do whatever they want. There’s no way those who haven’t paid won’t just put live bbc on if they, for example, want to watch The Traitors which, interestingly , had huge viewer ratings.

they must have changed it, there’s no way to cancel it 😞

Click into the bit where it says 'do I need a TV licence' and answer the questions
Option to cancel should come up

I use prime, I just don’t watch live sport because it’s boring.

Ive never watched traitors though, looks shit.

Thank you, it even says I need to call them when I try to do the no licence needed declaration - they are determined to keep me!!

Then why should I pay for your children to go to school if you feel like that? That the whole premise of our society that everyone contributes for the greater good of the country. Imagine that all the families without children stop paying taxes that support education in this country. Then what, where does it stop?

one question that none is asking who would benefit from the downfall of the bbc & actual news reporting. Trump? Putin? Farage? Because they certainly do not do unbiased news reporting in these countries. Sowing the seeds of discontent in the uk, we know Brexit had Russian input same sort thing

Do people really begrudge £3.46 a week to watch TV without ads? You probably spend more than that on cups of coffee, and you certainly spend way more than that if you have something like Netflix or Disney or Sky.

So far as I'm concerned, it's worth it just for The Archers and the News Quiz.

bbc used to advertise their own shows constantly between programs.

would you want to pay money each week for something you don’t actually want or use

netflix or Disney + is £5.99 per month, or combined £11.98 v bbc & live streaming £15, so it’s a lot cheaper 🤷‍♀️

If I put the smart tv onto bbc, it asks for a login- I don’t have a login as I don’t have a tv licence - so no I can’t just watch bbc. Same as I need to sign into Netflix

Missing the point somewhat ,people are obliged to pay tax on their earnings ,nobody i repeat nobody is obliged to watch BBC or have a TV licence.

This may blow your mind but some peoole don't listen to the Archers or the news quiz.

Oh, don’t be ridiculous. PP was clearly referring to herself with The Archers and The News Quiz.