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?

We are incredibly lucky to have the BBC. Of course it’s not perfect and I get infuriated by some of its coverage.

However, no commercial channel would ever show the breadth and depth of programming shown by the BBC. Especially regional programming.

Plus, in a world of increasing authoritarianism, the UK is fortunate to have an independent media outlet.

Contrast that with the US. Currently any channel showing a whisper of criticism of Trump’s administration has been sued for hundreds of millions. Amazing independent nonprofit media has had federal funding withdrawn. Here, The Telegraph, Times, Daily Mail etc are all owned by exceptionally wealthy men with particular agendas.

Misinformation, disinformation and propaganda is on the rise. Of course fucking Farage would get rid of it. Makes complete sense.

Because an independent press is vital for democracy. Everyone loves to bash the BBC but we would miss it if it was gone. It is an essential ingredient of and for Britishness.

Edited to add: it’s difficult when people are struggling with the CoL. But if people are paying for every other streaming service, they can afford to support the BBC

Do I need a TV licence?: 20+ TV licence fee tips - MSE

to watch BBC you need a licence

No-one on this thread has said that?

Why would you pay for a month? How would thr bbc know you're watching the live TV? They don't. It's a scam to make you scared and then you'll pay it. Even if they come to your house and see you have a tv (which I wouldn't let them do anyway) how can they possibly tell if you watch live TV?

but then you could be fined

The best thing that could happen is for a large part of the current licence fee payers to suddenly stop paying. Now wound be a good time as they are increasing it again. If enough people stopped they would be forced to change to an alternative way of funding. It’s mass compliance that ensures businesses like the BBC and the water companies get away with treating the paying public poorly.

Absolutely agree with DrBlackbird above. Plus I listen to various BBC radio stations all the time and it’s worth it just for that

This the argument for a subscription service.

If you like the BBC, then pay for it.

If you don't then don't pay for it and don't watch it.

Everyone's happy

Do they still send threatening messages like Poundshop mafia to people without licences? I didn't have one for a few years - had no TV and didn't watch anything, it was pre smartphones and I didn't need one - and they sent me shitty letters all the time insinuating I was a criminal and they were going to get me. One actually had the line "Your address is high on my list". Making out that it was so scary that they knew I didn't have a licence, rather than just a simple process of elimination.

I ignored them and they never came round. I was hoping they would so they would look round, see I had no TV and feel like total twats. Arseholes.

The "inspectors" rely on scare tactics, they use clever wording at the door to make it seem they have powers to enter the property. Ive even had one peek through my window to see what's on TV.

They can only fine if they can prove live TV is neing watched. Which is only possible if they are let in the property or the homeowner admits it.

They send letters out randomly to any address that doesn't have a licence.

We had an empty house for about 18 months and the letters became increasingly threatening to the point of implying we were going to court. There wasn't a stick of furniture in the house, let alone a TV.

The BBC and Capita are just a bunch of grifting chancers, they should appoint Sarah Ferguson as their chief executive.

It's financial model is increasingly broken.

There are people all across Europe watching the BBC for free while we pay for it, make it a subscription service.

There are quite a few YouTube videos of their enforcement " officers" ( they are not in any way officers) attempting to bully people.

We have a licence but I resent it.

i had a letter when i didnt have a TV
i was very glad to write back and say i didnt have a tv <<smug>>

The bbc need to find a way to block non-payers from bbc radio (how can they stop a car picking it up though?), the websites, iplayer, sounds, bitesize, all the podcasts, international football, Wimbledon, Glastonbury etc.

It’s time that the BBC was self funding and promised to return to decent standards of actual investigative journalism.

I’m in Ireland and can watch all the BBC channels for free via the satellite dish, but hardly bother as there’s a lot of shite on there nowadays.

To the poster who mentioned her blind mother paying - checking you are aware of the discount.

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/blindseverely-sight-impaired-aud5

How many years ago ?
Back in the day when you bought a new tv the place that sold it were obligated to tell the BBC
However that changed ( can't remember when)
Becsuse its perfectly possible to have a tv and just use it for streaming platforms ,you tube etc , and many do.

They're thinking of including listening to bbc radio in the tv licence.

This is what the OP said! She uses iPlayer and BBC news a lot, but asking for help to stop paying.

I just tried to fill out the declaration and after I filled in all my details, it says something like ' when will the property be occupied?'
There are no other options to get past that bit. Any ideas?

They have. There’s a few who are boasting about how they refuse to pay for a licence but still watch Iplayer and other content that requires one.

To be honest, whilst the BBC's promotion of Nigel Farage and their bias towards Israel massively piss me off, I still think their services are worth 180 pounds a year to me. Id pay that for Radio 4 alone. I know we dont need to pay for the radio, but if we all stop paying then the service will eventually cease to exist and I think that would be very sad. I hate listening to adverts on the radio/ tv so I will try to cherish the BBC for all the good drama and radio. Their biased "news" can get in the bin though.

This is what I was talking about, grifting chancers, you are under zero obligation to fill out any declaration. It's is none of their business when a property is occupied.

Tell them to shove their declaration up their arse.

You also need a TV licence to watch Amazon Prime.

Wow didn't know doctors was gone!

Yeah they are on a loop ,they start off gently reminding you dont have a licence
And the letters become increasingly aggressive, promising visits interviews under caution etc
And then the loops starts again.