To ignore the TV license people?

[Fellia]

So the TV licensing people knocked on my door at half 8 on Saturday morning.

I was in bed and didn’t answer but I’m expecting them to come back.

They put a red letter through my door saying I am watching tv illegally and they can “help me watch legally.”

I’m finding this absolutely ridiculous. I do not watch tv apart from Netflix/DVD’s and the one tv I do have isn’t connected to actual channels (sorry, I don’t know how to explain this properly as I don’t know much about it)

But the fact is I do not watch regular TV. I have written to them, called them numerous times to explain this and I had a visit last year (at a different property) where I also explained this.

AIBU to just ignore them if they keep coming to my door? I’m sick of being harassed by them for no reason.

I think you need one if you’re watching any channel “live”

As in as it is being broadcast, not just BBC ...?

Oh my God -Shakes head- Never you are so fucking stupid... if you have a TV and do not watch the BBC then they cannot charge you, they have to prove you are watching the BBC and they cant so what then?

I thought Never was right....but I checked and she isn't...you are correct Quackporridge

You need a TV license if you're watching any live TV, not just the BBC.

I opened the door to some blokey earlier in the year (I have a license it was a clerical error) he was really horrible and just a creep basically, very sneery.

Then DH came to the door to see what was going on and he turned into Mr Helpful and apologising for the error.

part of the modus operandi is to target women...they find them easier to scare and intimidate
good old dependable respectable BBC

Our licence is in my name, which caused problems when my DH bought his mum a freeview box. They hassled us constantly, and they always come round during the day, particularly if you are at home with a young baby. I do wonder how many people end up paying twice, particularly if they are threatened with arrest and are feeling vulnerable with a 3 week old baby, as I was.

Ohfortuna I’ve experienced this too. It can be quite intimidating.

Quack - you're a dick. You don't need to be watching The BBC to have to need a licence. Can you read the internet? Leaflets? Beyond help!

If you feel comfortable with it then let them in. It shuts them up for a while.

Fuck me!

if you have a TV and do not watch the BBC then they cannot charge you, No! That is incorrect....

You need a license if you watch ANY channel live. You also need a license if you watch anything on BBC iplayer.

And, again, it is the government that insists on the license. Not the BBC.

Just. Buy. One. Cheapskate.

I hope you get caught out QuackPorridgeBacon

ok if I am wrong then fair enough. It isn’t fair though and doesn’t make sense. So adverts pay for the likes of channel four etc and I pay for sky which should cover that so what am I paying the license for if not for only BBC programmes to cover their costs because they don’t advertise?

I pay mine. Well done you for assuming I don’t though...

A. Lot. Of. People. Can't. Afford. One.

That doesn't make cheapskates, it makes them skint. It's a bit low wishing someone is caught and fined money they might not have.

But

She is right, Porridge, you do need a liscense to watch any live TV, even foreign channels. We got rid of Freeview because I couldn't afford a licence even though we never used it to watch live TV. the kids would record Cartoonito on it. Apparently, according to the call center worker I spoke to when complaining about the threatening man trying to barge his way into my home, simply have the ability to receive live TV signals is a crime.

The ariel broke shortly after, so I cancelled the license and have been tortured by them ever since.

Neverender, earlier you said that you had to de-tune(hahaha) your TV in order to not require a TV licence. Could you point me towards where on the TV Licencing website it says this?

You completely misunderstand what the law is. You have to WATCH or RECORD any channel, or DOWNLOAD or WATCH anything on iPlayer. That's what it says on the picture you have added in support of your case. The important point you are missing is that you actually have to do it, not merely have the capability to do it.

Bangs head on table a bit too hard.

I think dear old ‘never’ spent too long being brainwashed at the bbc. She can’t fathom a life without shitty bbc programs

how can I 'detune' my smart TV?
do I need to sellotape silver foil over a certain part of it to block the signal? :o
or do I have to hum a certain note while I'm watching?

So adverts pay for the likes of channel four etc and I pay for sky which should cover that so what am I paying the license for if not for only BBC programmes to cover their costs because they don’t advertise?

I have already explained that. The UK government requires that anyone who watches live TV has a license. Here, a naice Telegraph potted history of the TV/Radio license

www.theguardian.com/media/2005/oct/11/bbc.broadcasting1

Frequency To be fair if I’m wrong I’ve no issue apologising. I struggle to pay it myself but it doesn’t make much sense to me.

Never is still wrong on a lot of what she says though. I’m going to go on their site in a minute and teach myself the rules as I mustn’t be u derstanding what I thought I knew. I always thought it was only for bbc because they don’t use adverts.

When I was in the same situation as you I let them in eventually & let them see the back of my tv had no aerial in. They stopped coming round after that

I'm really not wrong. I wrote FOI responses and wrote the policy for 'No licence needed' or NLN, but carry on in sheer ignorance if you wish. I couldn't give one fuck tbh.

It's the law, I'm afraid. Just like if you can't afford car insurance, then don't have a car. If you can't afford a TV Licence then don't have a TV. Simples.

And I won't be bullied into agreeing with you.

Omg never what a clanger you've dropped, posting a pic that completely disproves what you are trying to convince us of