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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if its so unusual not to have a tv?

42 replies

ScariestFairyByFar · 05/01/2013 18:21

I haven't had a tv for six months and every person that comes into my living room goes on and on about it! I watch tv but on the computer and dd watches cbbeies on it too.

OP posts:
lifeintheolddogyet · 05/01/2013 20:26

We have one but only to watch DVDs. We moved the lounge around and the new place where the telly is can't be reached by the aeriel. Haven't missed it and nor have the DCs! They just have a DVD or something on iplayer.

We'll still cough up the license though. We have Radio 4 on constantly and I'd feel bad not to pay I think.

No telly. Radio 4 on all the time. We sound a laugh a minute, don't we!

ebersneezer · 05/01/2013 20:27

I think it's unusual but there's nothing wrong with it. If you don't want one that's fine, if you don't watch TV shows or via another device.

I enjoy TV, my tv connects to my media server, so we get photos, music, films over it, we Skype family. The nature of a tv is going to change over the years.

KatyPeril · 05/01/2013 20:29

I don't have one! I know a couple of people who don't either. I haven't time to watch telly while Mumsnet exists Grin

richardsimmonstanktop · 05/01/2013 20:30

We haven't had one for years, but I agree with the person upthread who mentioned media devices. We have a laptop that hooks up to a projector. We watch about an hour of some kind of programming each day, more if we're watching a film.

I don't miss TV - the times I have been somewhere with a TV I get annoyed with the stupid ads and the fact that there never seems to be anything on.

forevergreek · 05/01/2013 20:33

We don't have one. I never find anything of interest to watch when I'm free, and it drives me mad when visiting parents/ other family or friends who leave it on all day and everyone just sits and stares at rubbish without talking to each other

shesariver · 05/01/2013 20:40

I couldn't do without a TV but each to their own! If I'm not watching soaps or the news I will have it on the music channels, couldnt sit in silence. I would say its odd not to have a TV as we are all different, doesn't bother me what people think as long as they don't try to come across all morally superior because they don't have a TV, seen it before on threads.

monstermissy · 05/01/2013 20:41

I have mentioned getting rid of ours but the kids arent keen, not that we watch live tv much though. We have netflix and lovefilm, then you have the iplayer and what not. Dvd player too, kids all have tablets or a tv. I may try and convince them again i think.

HuffAndHufflepuff · 05/01/2013 20:43

After about 6 years without one, I'm about to buy a TV! Only for DVDs really, as i watch them on my laptop and the tiny screen just isn't cutting it anymore. My sister has a smart tv that has fascinated me over Christmas, you can watch youtube and iplayer on the TV! But yes people do find it odd 'did you watch xyz last night?' 'No I don't have a tv' Gasp! How do you cope! Oh I suppose it's better without one.... most people react in shock then an odd admiration, like I've made a tremendous life-choice that needs applauding!

ebersneezer · 05/01/2013 20:58

Monstermissy an I ask why you want to get rid of it? That's a genuine friendly question, not a defensive pissy one :) I'm interested because you don't seem to be against TV programs and films as such.

whois · 05/01/2013 21:23

Yeah you're odd not to have a TV ;-)

I like TV. Easy entertainment when you're tired and much more sociable to watch a film with your DP than sit and read two separate books.

nannynick · 05/01/2013 21:40

I've known families not to have a tv. One of them used a projector and a DVD player.

cumfy · 05/01/2013 21:50

TV is, like, so last century.Wink

Original poster
ScariestFairyByFar · 05/01/2013 22:01

Thanks for all your comments so glad I'm not the only one without a tv. My friend informed me I was a Greek for not having a tv, strangely enough the friend I gave my tv too! I'm starting to do freelance training so may end up buying a projector in the future which we could use for films, when dd is bigger.

OP posts:
Cailleach · 05/01/2013 22:08

We haven't got a telly, and frankly I don't miss it. I think the quality of programming has plummeted over the last ten years.

The cost of the license fee goes towards our broadband instead.Much rather have a wander round Youtube of an evening....

forevergreek · 05/01/2013 22:16

Not being funny, but how is it more sociable to watch tv with dh in te vending than it is to read? Or actually take to each other. Surely your both just sitting on the sofa watching, not interacting.

DeWe · 05/01/2013 22:25

We have no TV and never have had. When we first moved here we had a couple of friends' children who were so convinced we must have a TV they spent the entire visit searching. Grin

TodaysAGoodDay · 05/01/2013 22:59

We have a TV but only watch DVDs also, like TooMuchRain. No, you do not need a TV licence if this is the case. I have spoken at length to the folks in TV licencing land, and I had to sign a thing that said we don't watch TV, but they can come round whenever they want and check, we also have no digibox, aerial lead or aerial on the roof. However, if I got a BT homehub or something similar and watched things live on my laptop then I would need a TV licence, but since I only have a dongle that gets 1000MB a month I can't.
Almost all our friends and family ask us regularly if we saw this or that on TV, nobody seems to be able to comprehend life without TV. Personally our huge stone fireplace is the focal point in the room, which is as good a point as any.

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