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Original poster

To wonder if a TV license is worth it?

96 replies

PoesyCherish · 09/09/2018 15:01

DP and I got rid of our TV license when we moved as the aerial was broken and we couldn't be bothered fixing it. We had no access to live Tv and since we weren't actually watching anything on BBC1 we didn't think it was worth it.

Now though I'm questioning that and wondering if we should get one again. I saw on here that the BBC have started a shop well for less programme. I loved eat well for less and would love to watch it. I also want to watch The apprentice soon.

Is it really worth it for the sake of being able to watch two programmes though?

OP posts:
Aridane · 11/09/2018 06:25

Just wanted to add the usual reminder that the license isn't just for watching BBC, it is watching any live TV, any and all channels.

OMG- I did not know that. Thought it was just for BBC Blush

CuriousaboutSamphire · 11/09/2018 08:33

But Netflix is a completely different service. It really has nothing in common with the BBC Except they buy BBC content....

And the BBC do now pay external production companies to make for them - see GBBO for one example. As far as I know only a few remain made in house, like Strictly and DR Who

CuriousaboutSamphire · 11/09/2018 08:34

Ariadne Smile That's why (despite some posters thinking I am being daft) I put it up there. There's no real reason to know, until you want to stop paying the license!

JeremyCorbynsBeard · 14/09/2018 15:33

But the license fee IS just for watching BBC output. Unfortunately, you can't have equipment that's capable of letting you watch only commercial channels. So basically if you have an aerial, or satellite dish, then you are able to watch BBC programmes, and therefore need a licence. Technically, you don't need one to watch ITV, Channel 5 etc.

GladAllOver · 14/09/2018 16:20

Technically, you don't need one to watch ITV, Channel 5 etc.

That is totally, absolutely wrong. If you watch ANY live TV on ANY channel, you must have a licence.

Original poster
PoesyCherish · 14/09/2018 17:04

So basically if you have an aerial, or satellite dish, then you are able to watch BBC programmes, and therefore need a licence

Actually you don't if you're not using it, ie it's not plugged in.

OP posts:
sweethope · 14/09/2018 17:17

Why can’t televisions be made that doesn’t allow BBC to be shown, thereby absolving the need for a license. Or is that too simplistic?

JessieMcJessie · 14/09/2018 17:33

It’s a licenCe not a licenSe! I see this so often, for driving licences as well.
The prevalence of American English on the internet has a lot to answer for.

GladAllOver · 14/09/2018 18:04

Why can’t televisions be made that doesn’t allow BBC to be shown, thereby absolving the need for a license. Or is that too simplistic?
It's not a BBC licence. It's a television licence. Which channel you choose to watch is irrelevant.

sweethope · 14/09/2018 18:19

But the money goes to the BBC doesn’t it?

jesse yes i realised my mistake as soon as i typed it, but couldn’t be bothered to change it.

GladAllOver · 14/09/2018 18:27

Most but not all of the money goes to the BBC. It pays for our national broadcaster.

PastaRedWine · 14/09/2018 18:29

I am going to cancel mine. We have watched zero on tv for 6 months now, so it's just not worth it for us!

BasicUsername · 14/09/2018 22:17

I don't have a TV licence.

I can't access any tv (terrestrial or freeview) without a sky package, and I think that it is unacceptable to be expected to pay for a service that I cannot use without paying for an additional service first.

MrsStrowman · 14/09/2018 22:24

Worth it because as a PP said it's for all live TV not just BBC, I love 24 hours in police custody, bake off, neighbours on Ch 5 (guilty pleasure), Louis Theroux, QI, Olympic/commonwealth sport, Wimbledon etc, but mostly I'd pay that £12 a month just for the Archers and the news.

Original poster
PoesyCherish · 14/09/2018 22:59

Worth it because as a PP said it's for all live TV not just BBC, I love 24 hours in police custody, bake off, neighbours on Ch 5 (guilty pleasure), Louis Theroux, QI, Olympic/commonwealth sport, Wimbledon etc,

How much of it actually goes to those other shows though? I'm a huge fan of bake off but only watch it on 4od. Would be more inclined to pay it if C4 got more of it though.

OP posts:
MrsStrowman · 15/09/2018 01:16

@PoesyCherish about 90% goes to BBC services and licence admin, but legally to watch other live channels you need the licence, including all4 etc

DayManChampionOfTheSun · 15/09/2018 04:26

Omg OP that's so funny, I only pay it for the apprentice and the eat/shop well for less programmes! I know that is rediculous but I really really enjoy those programmes!

GladAllOver · 15/09/2018 09:41

The BBC gets money from the licence fee. Commercial channels get money from the advertising, and the cost of the adverts goes onto the price of the products. So you pay for the commercial TV in the shops, even if you don't watch the programmes.

Original poster
PoesyCherish · 15/09/2018 09:45

@MrsStrowman I don't watch all4 live, only afterwards.

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 16/09/2018 22:55

@BasicUsername

I don't have a TV licence.

I can't access any tv (terrestrial or freeview) without a sky package, and I think that it is unacceptable to be expected to pay for a service that I cannot use without paying for an additional service first.

You know you just have to plug an aerial wire from the wall into the back of your tv to get freeview? Having sky doesn't give you freeview

BasicUsername · 17/09/2018 11:05

@Lazypuppy

Freeview is built in to two of our TVs. Can't access it. Very rural area.

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