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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

stopping the tv license?

78 replies

skybluepearl · 26/02/2011 19:29

Not quite AIBU but wanted to post here due to high traffic.

We don't watch that much TV and have a limited number of channels due to living in a hilly area. On the whole TV seems quite seems rubbish these days. I do really enjoy sitting down to watch a film and the odd interesting programme though. The kids have a maximum of one hours screen time each day -they choose between wii/computer/TV.

I'd really like to rejig things. Maybe stop paying the TV licence/stop watching TV and join love films? Have thought about maybe watching i-player on TV through the Wii - but am not sure if we still have to pay our TV licence for this?

How are things set up in your house if you don't watch normal telly? How did you find making the change?

OP posts:
prettyfly1 · 26/02/2011 19:30

If you watch tv, regardless of how, or how long for you need a tv license.

meditrina · 26/02/2011 19:32

You need a TV licence in Uk if you own equipment which can receive TV transmissions, regardless of whether you actually watch. So you would need to get rid of all tellies, and possibly other kit (some computers).

RevoltingPeasant · 26/02/2011 19:33

sbp - you don't need to have a licence if you only watch catch-up programmes on iPlayer or similar.

I don't have a tv and haven't for over a year. Initially it was because we were getting rid of the old one and thought we'd save for a nice new one - then other things came up - before we knew it we'd been 6 mos without and it really didn't bother us.

We watch films & box sets on the computer when we want and go to the cinema, listen to music, and read. I might get another one in future but right now, really not bothered. I'm surprised at how much I totally don't miss it: there'll be about 1-2 nights a month where I come in knackered and think, 'I could just do with watching some rubbish' but there's always something like Mock the Week on iPlayer.

bootilicious · 26/02/2011 19:33

I think if you have a television a signal (even if you don't get all the channels) you will need a television license.

allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 26/02/2011 19:33

Yup, its crap I agree, but you have to have a license if you own a TV :(

ChasingSquirrels · 26/02/2011 19:33

tv licensing site would disagree with that meditrina here

bootilicious · 26/02/2011 19:34

So you will need to get rid of the television set

FabbyChic · 26/02/2011 19:34

My neighbours don't have a TV licence, they have a PC screen that is around 27" on the wall and feed it via bbciPlayer and the like. So they never watch live tv so don't pay for a licence.

nannyl · 26/02/2011 19:34

you need a TV license if you can recieve LIVE TV...

not watching the TV isnt enough to not need a tv license, if the tc can recieve the signal

you can watch i player without a tv license though (its not live)

bootilicious · 26/02/2011 19:35

That is the theory Chasing, but in practise, if you have a televsion you will need a license.

RevoltingPeasant · 26/02/2011 19:35

prettyfly, no, I'm sure that's not true - you can't have equipment that receives LIVE broadcasts like a tv, but you can watch catch-up programmes on iPlayer etc. The bit on the disclaimer I signed from the TV Licensing Authority says

'You must be covered by a licence if you use any equipment to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on tv.'

But I think after is fine....

allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 26/02/2011 19:35

[wonders out loud if you can use the PS3 through a monitor...]

ChasingSquirrels · 26/02/2011 19:36

ah yes, I know the actuality can prove difficult.
But - that is the law (not the theory), they have no right to enter your house I thought? So what you actually have is a lot of hassle.

RevoltingPeasant · 26/02/2011 19:37

bootilicious I think most people in this situation get a screen which you can hook up to your computer to watch DVDs and catch up programmes on.

But yes you would have to get rid of the actual tv set.

TypoRiddled · 26/02/2011 19:37

The first 2 weeks without a TV are very weird, and then you don't notice any more.
We were TV-free for about 6 years.
I would go TV-free again, but DH is too addicted, now :).
I would miss things like Tour De France coverage and the pseudo-babysitting service for my 3yo.

FabbyChic · 26/02/2011 19:38

Allsquared you can use the PS3 through a monitor, Im sending my son to Uni with his PS3 and a monitor.

bootilicious · 26/02/2011 19:39

Oh I love the telly me Grin I should be ashamed shouldn't IBlush

pinkstinks · 26/02/2011 19:40

bloody tv licence rules are ridiculous. Im a student in a shared house, last year we had a joint tenancy agreement and so only needed one licence to cover the whole (7 bed) house. So we all paid, had one in the lounge and a few people had one in their rooms as well, fine, but...
This year I am again in a 7 bed shared house, but under a separate tenancy agreement meaning we need a separate licence for each room in our house. It just seems like a cynical way to make money out of people really, coupled with the threatening and intimidating letters we always get, when we have paid for a licence i nthe lounge, because last year some people had licences for their rooms, they wont accept that we dont want one!!
breathes

tyler80 · 26/02/2011 19:41

You don't need a TV licence to watch programs on iplayer as long as you are not watching live.

You don't need to get rid of the TV, just de-tune it, you can still use it for the Wii etc.

Be prepared to get letters from TV licencing threatening all sorts of things fairly regularly. Just ignore them.

pinkstinks · 26/02/2011 19:41

just to add after my rant...
OP - I player is fine as its not live. I use it all the time, also itv, and channel 4 have good on demand services :)

LaurieFairyCake · 26/02/2011 19:47

Of course you can have a tv and watch DVDs, iplayer etc.

Just disconnect the aerial. And be prePared for them to write to you.

LessNarkyPuffin · 26/02/2011 19:49

I think you should have to pay if you use BBC iplayer, but you don't.

Tortington · 26/02/2011 19:51

i believe you have to do mor than just connect the ariel ? can't temember what - what you can't just take it out - cos you could put it back in i spose.

get rid of telly - we didn't hae a telly for years, eeryoen thought we were weird.

got a telly at xmas so i didn't have tospeak to the MIL and rarely watch it

although i did enjoy watching anne of green gables in black and white - and the sequel the next DAY

Rhinestone · 26/02/2011 20:57

You need a TV license if you watch or record programmes AT THE TIME THEY ARE BROADCAST. This includes watching them on the internet AT THE TIME THEY ARE BROADCAST.

We stopped having a TV license, took the aerial out and just used the TV as a DVD monitor.

The license people also have no right to enter your home (unless accompanied by a police officer with a warrant) and you don't even have to confirm your name to them.

happiestblonde · 26/02/2011 21:49

Honestly...

Do people really buy TV licenses? Really...? I don't currently have a TV but for the last couple of years post-uni I never bought one. I despise the BBC for being so horribly left wing and rarely watched it - the van is a scare tactic, just don't answer the door!

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