Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you're going to buy a tv license if you don't have a tv?

312 replies

Attethersend43 · 16/08/2016 18:44

New law is coming in this September forcing those who watch iplayer on devices to buy a tv license.

I don't have a tv and watch iplayer very rarely...

Should I buy a license?

OP posts:
TormundGiantsbabe · 16/08/2016 18:47

I'm not going to. I'm just going to delete the iPlayer app. Ds is the only one who watches it as he's obsessed with Peter Rabbit but I'm sure buying him the DVD won't cost £145.

Charlesroi · 16/08/2016 18:51

No, we just won't watch the iPlayer and will block it on the router.

GladAllOver · 16/08/2016 18:51

It's been a hole in the law for years, and they are just filling it.
There really is no difference whether you watch TV live or just delayed by an hour or a day - you're still watching a programme and need the licence.

Gottagetmoving · 16/08/2016 18:52

I hate having to buy a tv licence. It should be scrapped and the BBC should use adverts like other channels.
I wouldn't buy one if I were you. You hardly watch iplayer and have no tv?

I wish I had the balls to not pay it but we do watch tv, although not bbc enough to warrant that bloody fee!

helpimitchy · 16/08/2016 18:53

We don't watch television. Only box sets or YouTube. I've deleted the iplayer app, but I never used it anyway. I'm not interested in the slightest in what the BBC puts out now. Even when we had a tv licence we never watched BBC. It was all either dumbed down rubbish, or stuff for very old people.

PotteringAlong · 16/08/2016 18:56

although not bbc enough to warrant that bloody fee!

Never listen to BBC radio? Use the website? It's not just for to.

PotteringAlong · 16/08/2016 18:56

For TV.

PotteringAlong · 16/08/2016 18:57

Although you only pay the licence if you watch tv, obviously.

Redglitter · 16/08/2016 18:58

I seriously object to my licence fee. I don't watch any BBC programmes and resent being forced into paying for something I don't use

NerrSnerr · 16/08/2016 18:59

If you watch Iplayer however rarely you need a licence. Why should you get the service for free when the rest of us pay?

I personally think the licence fee is worth it for Doctors alone, but I may be in the minority...

StrongBelwas · 16/08/2016 19:01

I love when I'm at home for Doctors! It's rare though Sad

SharkBaitOohHaha · 16/08/2016 19:04

I have a TV but don't watch anything live (use it for consoles only). Occasionally watch things on iPlayer, but not often enough for me to justify paying for a TV licence. I'll forego the few programmes I would watch and just save the money.

If they had a pay per series type subscription, I'd probably do that. Think they've missed a trick there.

NerrSnerr · 16/08/2016 19:04

Strong I record it and watch it after work. I have been obsessed since I used to live near where they filmed when I was at uni!

Hulababy · 16/08/2016 19:11

*watch iplayer very rarely...

Should I buy a license?*

If you watch iPlayer at all then yes, you should get a license.

Sleeperandthespindle · 16/08/2016 19:12

We're going to. Have used iplayer for years with no tv and listen to R4 all the time.

Genvonklinkerhoffen · 16/08/2016 19:19

nersnerr used to try to get on in the background..! Can't quite remember where they filmed it tho? Smelly Poke?

Gottagetmoving · 16/08/2016 19:19

Never listen to BBC radio? Use the website? It's not just for to

No not really. Very rarely listen to radio and don't watch bbc on internet. Not enough to pay a fee anyway.

cornishglos · 16/08/2016 19:23

Yes. I bought one for the Olympics and so glad I did.

NerrSnerr · 16/08/2016 19:32

Genon Yes that's right. You can see the surgery just off the Bristol Road on the way to Northfield.

Brahumbug · 16/08/2016 19:34

God forbid that the BBC start showing adverts. The commercial channels would be up in arms at the competition for shrinking advertising revenue. The BBC is theworld's best broadcaster and independent of the state. Do we really want it interfering with?

Balanced12 · 16/08/2016 19:34

I thought you had to buy a licence even if you just had a laptop ? I resent paying for something I don't use

StrongBelwas · 16/08/2016 19:52

Nerr Blush I'd not thought of that!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 16/08/2016 20:11

I will. I've assumed for a while they would bring this in, and fair's fair.

WordGetsAround · 16/08/2016 20:17

We're going to. Never had one in over 10 years of living together, as never had a tv, but since having DCs, iPlayer use has crept up! As PP said, fair's fair - I was expecting them to close the loophole soon. I use the BBC news app tens of times a day and listen to radio 4 on IPlayer app loads too, so will definitely feel I've got my money's worth!

NewNameFriday · 16/08/2016 20:22

Even when we had a tv licence we never watched BBC. It was all either dumbed down rubbish, or stuff for very old people.

Who do you consider to be 'very old people', and why do you think they need 'stuff' just for them? Aren't they capable of enjoying the same programmes as everyone else? I know people in their eighties who enjoy Doctor Who.