AIBU TV Licence

[LouBlue1507]

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!

I have no idea kings but it's the only BBC programme my DD has ever shown interest in.
She catches up at her Dads house

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.

To be pedantic, that's not correct. Even if I never watched ANY BBC tv, I would still need a licence to watch (for example) Coronation Street at the time it's transmitted. I agree the sustem is out of date though.

Or all this army of teens sat huddled over a smart phone in their bedroom ilicitly streaming Bake Off on their smartphones

I know - what a laugh!

I bought the latest episode of Sherlock for £3 on Amazon prime, vs the £5 the BBC store wanted. The total will be less than a tenner for one of the only BBC shows I've been interested in over the past 12 months. Value for money indeed.....

I don't object to the quantum of the TV licence. I object to the way those threatening bullies hound people for money they don't owe, so I don't pay for a licence on principle. It means (since the change in September) that I can no longer watch Sherlock, Doctor Who and The Apprentice on catch up, but it's worth it.

If they reformed the way they collected the licence fee, I'd pay up and start watching catch up again. Unless that happens, I'm not interested.

As for a home visit, good luck with that. I'm generally out (which is one of the main reasons I don't watch TV these days) and I don't answer the door to unexpected callers. Oh the rare occasion I'm at home and want to watch something, Amazon Prime Video does nicely!

I can't find statistics for the UK, but over the last 5 years there's been a 40% drop in the amount of tv watched by 18-24 year olds in the US.

It wouldn't be surprising to me if the drop was bigger in the UK, given the existence of the tv license.

The way people consume media is changing - clearly this is perplexing to some in this thread, who can't seem to imagine that people could go without live tv, but on-demand services now offer a genuine alternative to live tv, and they are only going to improve.

I bought the latest episode of Sherlock for £3 on Amazon prime, vs the £5 the BBC store wanted. The total will be less than a tenner for one of the only BBC shows I've been interested in over the past 12 months. Value for money indeed

But what are you paying for Amazon Prime?

I don't have a TV license. We could afford one but I'm not paying for something I don't use. We don't watch much TV but do like to binge watch some series so have Netflix. We paid for our TV, pur xbox one and pay for Netflix. Why the heck should we then pay a TV licence when we watch literally nothing else? Those saying its not moral are hilarious. If I don't pay and then sneak live TV, fair enough. I don't though, have no interest in it. We had a licence and freeview box years back. We'd end up sat there watching complete shite. Funnily enough since getting rid we have lots less screen time and only watch what we want!

Mega we don't pay for Prime anymore, because I think Netflix is better value for money. But I still have the kit to watch it on the TV and can rent or buy movies through prime. We also use the device to watch Netflix on the TV.

I always thought older teens downloaded films off of those torrents sites, illegal downloads?? not watched the BBC and normal telly

Mega, Prime is I think £79 per year, or £39 if you are a student.

But it also includes free fast delivery with no minimum spend on Amazon, free music and free kindle book loans.

As well as other benefits such as early access to lightning deals and prime day (a bit like black friday but just for prime subscribers).

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface old Sherlocks are on Netflix or Amazon Prime. I've seen them on there. Never looked at them.

And bake off will be out of the TV licence next year ins't it? It's moving to channel 4 or ITV, which is free to watch without a licence.

My 16 year old hadn't watched anything on the BBC in many years. He doesn't even choose to use the Netflix app on his PS4.

He mostly plays overwatch which chatting to his dad on google hangouts. Plays other games, reads manga, sometimes watches a box set (on bluray) and does a lot of maths homework.

I can be absolutely certain that he hasn't been steaming the BBC without my knowledge.

From the official TV Licensing website:-

You don’t need a TV Licence if you:-

never watch or record programmes on any channel as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, and never download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel (including BBC) download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

This applies to any provider you use and any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder

And bake off will be out of the TV licence next year ins't it? It's moving to channel 4 or ITV, which is free to watch without a licence.

Not the version we know and love!

mega I don't watch bake off.

That's OK, the version you know and love won't exist even if you do have a TV licence.

Oopsdearyme - In your first post you didn't mention BBC Iplayer, you said all players.

You had iplayer downloaded on your tablet and didn't have a license so were acting illegally, which is specifically and clearly explained on the TV license website, you are not entitled to do. It might not have been at the time if what you are trying to say (your post isn't very clear) is that was before the 'loophole' about not watching live iplayer but catch up iplayer was closed.

If you had ITV/40D/any other channels' catch up service on your tablet you wouldn't (and still are not) have been doing anything wrong. This is entirely allowed as per the links I gave.

They can't take somebody to court if their own website specifically contradicts the charge they are trying to bring.

It really is very clear what you can/can't do if you read the website properly.

I've never actually watched bake off. Not a single series of it.

I have a question hoping someone will know the answer
I do have a TV licence
When I'm at DPs house or a friends home who doesn't have a licence can I watch catch up tv including BBC programmes on my own iPad or iPhone using their wifi
When they bring in the code thingy I'm assuming I will just input a code

I totally understand that many people are not interested in watching TV - I don't believe that there are people who are into TV who don't watch/listen to BBC stuff never ever ever

I watch:
Bones
Criminal Minds
NCIS (all 3)
Masterchef Australia
Lucifer
Simpsons
Without a Trace
Cold Case
Haven
Blue Bloods
Sky News
Amazing Spaces
Arrow
The Flash
Legends of Tomorrow

None of which are on BBC

DD doesn't watch any TV these days - it's all YouTube. DH watches Sports mainly and documentaries on Discovery/History/NatGeo

Why on earth should I pay for BBC services? It's something that really grinds my gears.

I don't believe that there are people who are into TV who don't watch/listen to BBC stuff never ever ever
Love tv and films watch stuff most days as I work from home and like something on in the background, Were subscribed to Crunchyroll, Amazon, Netflix and disneylife. No license as no live tv and never watch BBC i player

I don't believe that there are people who are into TV who don't watch/listen to BBC stuff never ever ever
Off the top of my head, last year we watched the following series on Netflix;

Originals;
Orange is the New Black
House of Cards
Bojack Horseman
Stranger Things
Better Call Saul
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Other:
Breaking Bad
Mad men
Ru Paul's Drag Race
Futurama
Archer
Book of Negroes
Scrubs
Arrested Development
Friends
Trailer Park Boys
Brooklyn 9-9
Community
Buffy
Battlestar Galactica
House
The Mindy Project
Law and Order
Wet Hot American Summer

We've also watched various BBC series that are on Netflix (Life, Blue Planet and alike).

I'm currently in Canada but note that Sherlock (which I don't intend to watch but has been mentioned a lot of here) is available on Netflix.

We've also watched a lot of non-bbc documentaries on there, and lots of movies, but I can't recall them all.