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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think that TV license fees are a bloody con?

56 replies

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 28/02/2013 20:47

£145.50 I gotta pay for shit TV, feels like a legal mugging.

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MrsTerryPratchett · 28/02/2013 20:48

How much is shit cable? A lot more.

livinginwonderland · 28/02/2013 20:49

sky is more expensive and even worse!

Bearandcub · 28/02/2013 20:49

YANBU

KatyPeril · 28/02/2013 20:49

Get rid of your telly.

AKissIsNotAContract · 28/02/2013 20:50

Do what this chap did then.

hermioneweasley · 28/02/2013 20:50

The BBC is the envy of the world - its funding source means it is not controlled by the agenda of an individuaL or at the mercy of advertisers. It's £3 a week for TV, radio, digital, website and iplayer. YABU

FillyPutty · 28/02/2013 20:51

YANBU.

ConfusedPixie · 28/02/2013 20:52

Ditto KatyPeril. We don't have to pay one, it's great. I love not having a TV :)

DioneTheDiabolist · 28/02/2013 20:52

YABU.

Toadspawn · 28/02/2013 20:52

I'm watching a brilliant documentary about Voyager at the moment. The licence fee is worth every penny.

kinkyfuckery · 28/02/2013 20:53

So don't have a bloody telly then!

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 28/02/2013 20:56

I wonder if got rid of my sky box (only get free channels, cant get freeview in my area) would i still have to pay, since i only actually watch love film and netflix.

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SimoneDeBeaver · 28/02/2013 20:58

YABU.

Is there really NOTHING on BBC1, 2, 3, 4, 24, CBBC, CBeebies

Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, 4 extra, 5, 6, Asian, World Service, 10 million local stations etc etc.

that you or your chidren don't enjoy?

specialsubject · 28/02/2013 20:58

well, be more selective about what you watch. I agree that shows for talentless shriekers, lottery and stupid soaps are a waste of money -but there is a lot of good stuff too. Try abroad with adverts every few minutes for REALLY bad tv.

YABU. And a bit insular.

livinginwonderland · 28/02/2013 20:59

if you can prove it's not being used (ie. not plugged into the wall) you don't have to pay. when i was at university, i had a TV in my room for lovefilm and dvd's, but no aerial and i didn't have to pay a license. it helps that there was no possible aerial point in my room!

highlandcoo · 28/02/2013 21:00

YABU

Toadspawn I agree with you about excellent documentaries on BBC - Penguin Island was another brilliant one recently.

Loads of countries would kill to have our high quality TV

FillyPutty · 28/02/2013 21:03

You don't have to prove anything. Just don't use it for TV, and don't pay.

McNewPants2013 · 28/02/2013 21:03

When do I not need a licence?

You do not need a licence to:

Own a television set.
Use a television with a video console.
Use a television with a computer.
Use a television to listen to the radio (e.g., via a digibox).
Use a television to watch DVDs, videos, or pre-recorded programmes.
Use a television to watch internet video (e.g., YouTube).
Use a television to watch TV programmes that are not being transmitted live (e.g., iPlayer).

Owning a device that is capable of receiving live television does not require you to purchase a television licence.

A television licence is only required if you actually use that device to receive live television. If you do not receive live television, you do not need a licence.

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/02/2013 21:07

I felt the same so I have told them I don't want a licence and I got a refund.

We only watch iplayer on catchup which is legal.

Only now I get the family saying we are breaking the law! I rang to double check and I am able to do this legally.

Bunbaker · 28/02/2013 21:18

YABU. Is there really NOTHING on BBC1, 2, 3, 4, 24, CBBC, CBeebies,
Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, 4 extra, 5, 6, Asian, World Service, 10 million local stations etc etc. that you or your chidren don't enjoy?

So you don't like any of the following:
crime drama
other drama
comedy
documentaries
news
films
music
cookery shows
other factual and how to do programmes
wildlife programmes

Really?

I can live without the following:
sport
soaps
reality TV

But I don't object to it being on TV because there should be something for everyone.

As a family we watch a lot of BBC TV and feel that the licence fee is worth every penny.

Why don't you ditch the TV and just watch online instead?

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 28/02/2013 21:36

I watch Netflix and Lovefilm throught the PS3 and Wii, if i do watch Telly, its only Channel 4 and 5.

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Bunbaker · 28/02/2013 21:46

if i do watch Telly, its only Channel 4 and 5.

Is it a conscious decision to avoid watching BBC programmes or do you genuinely not find anything at all that you want to watch on any of the BBC channels?

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 28/02/2013 21:48

Nope, theres only one show i like, and thats QI, and i can easily watch it online.

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suburbophobe · 28/02/2013 21:52

No, they are not at all. At least they give us something.

(You should talk about bankers, CEO's and others)....

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 28/02/2013 21:54

Maybe i should make an effort to enjoy TV some more then.

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