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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU TV Licence

322 replies

LouBlue1507 · 03/01/2017 10:02

I don't have a TV licence and don't intend to pay for one.

I don't have access to live TV and only watch Netflix, Itv player, 4od and channel 5. Not BBC iplayer.

I have declared this to the TV licence people and now property is under investigation.

AIBU to refuse them entry if they turn up? I've read horror stories of them being bullies, intimidating and even lying!

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 04/01/2017 08:32

Your internet provider is not allowed to share your information with TV licencing due to data protection, it would be a breach of data protection and a large fine to the internet company would be given by the ICO

The only way that TV licencing could get this information is to get a court order, they need to prove you are watching BBC to be able to get the court order. How are they going to get the court order?

HeadDreamer · 04/01/2017 08:43

I guess non of you non licence holders have older kids or teenagers?

No teens here, only a 5 and a 2 year old. They hate live TV and ads. Complains bitterly when shows wasn't on demand like they are used to. Both love youtube crap (unboxing, pretend disney princesses) and netflix. They like the odd shows on Amazon prime like creative galaxy and wish and poof but can't seem to get the interface.

MIL visits us but why would we put the TV on for her? She had lived with us for a bit and we made her watch netflix. It has just as much crap as on live BBC. Hours and hours of crap to keep her occupy.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 04/01/2017 08:46

another loophole is that students in uni halls of residence (not sure if this covers only uni-owned halls, or those owned by private companies) can watch live TV and iPlayer so long as there is a TV licence for their home address and that they don't watch it on a plugged in device.

Mindtrope · 04/01/2017 08:59

My DD is 16. We've not had a TV since she was 10.

And you are 100% sure she never streams bbc?

NewNNfor2017 · 04/01/2017 09:20

And you are 100% sure she never streams bbc?

Absolutely. She only uses internet enabled devices in family areas of the home. She rarely watches any TV/movies, tbh, she's a reader and is glued to her ereader.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 04/01/2017 09:22

So now you are suggesting people buy a license just in case their teen streams BBC without their knowledge?

Some people are really over invested in trying to insist people should have a license fee. It's incredibly odd.

ezrid · 04/01/2017 09:55

I'm not sure why having a teenager would mean you need a tv license?

As I said above my teenager doesn't watch any tv at all, just Youtube and occasionally films on Netflix. And he definitely doesn't stream any bbc by himself, the content on there just doesn't appeal to him. We did watch a couple of episodes of Planet Earth together, but he didn't really enjoy the later episodes. DS much prefers to read books, he's a voracious reader.
I don't think DS has ever watched tv with adverts like I used to watch when I was his age. Although he's getting bored of the adverts on Youtube!

We do have a tv license as we do watch the odd bbc programme (maybe a couple a month) but mostly because my younger child watches Cbeebies. If she didn't then we wouldn't have one.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 04/01/2017 09:57

It is odd, why are they so fixated on this? I'm starting to wonder if it's David Dimbleby sock-puppeting.

WhisperingLoudly · 04/01/2017 10:06

Confused at those so invested in insisting that others must watch live TV Hmm

We never do. We use Apple TV and Netflix and that is it.

WhisperingLoudly · 04/01/2017 10:08

And best thing with Licensing authorities is do not engage.

When they first started sending letters I called, filled in forms, sent letters and they escalated monthly until they stopped and the cycle started again.

I now just throw them in bin.

BewtySkoolDropowt · 04/01/2017 10:15

I have a 20yo and an 18yo. They spend their time online watching YouTube and playing games. Fully happy that they don't watch BBC iplayer.

And if they did, would it not be their responsibility to get a TV licence, rather than mine?

WrongTrouser · 04/01/2017 10:22

Some odd comments on this thread😀

So now not only am I a liar (clearly, as I don't have a tv licence) but so is my teenage daughter.

Very low moral standards some posters seem to expect of others. Says more about those posters themselves, in my view.

WrongTrouser · 04/01/2017 10:30

Mindrope Do you follow your teenager round the shops paying random amounts at the tills in case they've shoplifted something?

I don't. I've explained to my teenagers that we can no longer watch iplayer as we haven't paid for a licence. They understand this, in the same way they understand it is wrong to steal. Pretty basic really.

OopsDearyMe · 04/01/2017 11:55

Another one, as I said despite wht is stated on their website , part of the court proceedings it was discussed that as the players BBC and ITV) have options to watch TV live on them. I was taken to court, I had no TV but was using a tablet with iPlayer downloaded. Which an inspector was able to raise BBC One live on. I won my case at the time, because it was at that time a requirement for the licencing authority to prove use of an aerial. This changed in September 2016. To include ALL forms of media such as fire sticks,

OopsDearyMe · 04/01/2017 11:58

I'm talking from experience , it is why the iPlayer now asks if you have a TV licence before you use it. This is part of the changes that came in. Your reading what's meant to be the rues and I am telling you in reality this is what happened.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 04/01/2017 13:51

Oops, The current law says that you need a licence if you are watching iPlayer on a Firestick. You can watch any other catch up or streaming service on one without a licence. And this came from the TV licence people. I recently moved and had to send them a declaration to say I only watch Netflix or Prime, they confirmed that to do that I do not need a licence.

NewNNfor2017 · 04/01/2017 13:57

The problem is that the term "TV Licence" is outdated - it was introduced when the ONLY television broadcaster was the BBC, so calling it the TV Licence made sense.

Now, it should more correctly be referred to as the BBC Licence, or even the BBC film media licence - because it only applies to visual material broadcast by the BBC.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 04/01/2017 13:59

One more thought, if the BBC were suggesting that Netflix and Amazon subscribers should pay for a licence to use services that have nothng to do with the BBC and which are not using the television network they would be coming dangerously close to breaking the laws against monopolies.

FrutiFlutey · 04/01/2017 14:03

Same boat as you!

Just had a letter saying they're coming round with a warrant! They can come on round!

But I'm just surprised at the lengths they're going to, it's actually stupid!

I don't watch tv!

NewNNfor2017 · 04/01/2017 14:12

Fruti If they've got a warrant, then they must have some evidence that someone in your home is watching TV. They can't get a court to issue a warrant just because they "think" you have a TV.

Have you ever had a lodger or guest? Housesitter? Do you have a regular cleaner, or carer?

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 04/01/2017 14:13

Why would a teenager want to watch BBC?

It's hardly young and hip...
Confused

Teens watch cool people on YouTube. And the odd sitcom on C4.

NewNNfor2017 · 04/01/2017 14:18

Why would a teenager want to watch BBC?

In one word......Sherlock

MiaowTheCat · 04/01/2017 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 04/01/2017 14:24

Is Sherlock good?

I have the blu-ray boxset but it's still in it's shrink wrap.

Should I be watching it?

ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 04/01/2017 14:24

Ive had letters for two years. I don't watch TV; I have an ancient set dumped here by the ex. I use Mumsnet and a couple of other social networking sites. Google things I'm interested in.

I refuse to pay for a service I don't use. Good luck with taking me
to court; if the BBC are prepared to charge me for NOT accessing their propaganda programmes, then I'd at least like to see some proof to the contrary.