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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay my TV license?

200 replies

Spaghettibol · 20/12/2018 18:13

Just wondering if anyone else here is part of the TV licence resistance. I’ve never paid for one and I don’t watch live tv, but don’t want them having my details

OP posts:
SellFridges · 20/12/2018 22:14

YABU.

If you think our TV and Radio news are bad now, imagine if they were all funded by dicks like Rupert Murdoch.

woolduvet · 20/12/2018 22:21

Off topic
So if you only watched ch4 live (no Bbc) for example why would you pay the bbc?
(I do pay)

TwiceMagic · 20/12/2018 22:22

Channel 4 gets some tv license money for its public service stuff.

boringlyboring · 20/12/2018 22:22

its still a 'pay for service' and those who do not pay and use it are stealing

I watch live TV but I’ve not watched BBC in years. I loathe paying the license, as I don’t use the actual service it funds at all. It should be subscription based. I don’t see why I should pay the BBC to watch Comedy Central and Sky Sports

PengAly · 20/12/2018 22:32

@woolduvet some money still goes towards other channels. The bulk is for BBC though

Cheeeeislifenow · 20/12/2018 22:33

In Ireland they are changing or have changed it to a "Media fee" . If you have a. Television or access to Internet in any way shape or form you have to pay it, it's 160euro per year.

boringlyboring · 20/12/2018 22:38

That’s shit cheeeeis. So you pay to be allowed to pay for the internet. Grabby bastards

Cheeeeislifenow · 20/12/2018 22:44

Yep.... My mil works in a shop they have a TV for CCTV only and the channels aren't tuned in ... They still have. To pay a TV license they are money grabbing fuckers here. Popular presenter get paid in excess of €300,000 all paid for by license fee. Rte has a lot of advertising on it as well. So we don't even get ad free telly.

PengAly · 20/12/2018 22:51

Wow @Cheeeeislifenow thats greedy as fuck, basically you pay in order to pay another company Confused

Original poster
Spaghettibol · 20/12/2018 23:31

Just to clarify for everyone,
I occasionally watch live TV such as channel 4, and the rest of the time I use Netflix or on demand tv. Never watch the BBC. I’m aware tv licence is for any live tv however I don’t support the BBC or use it’s services (over 90% of tv licence fee goes to the bbc)

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 20/12/2018 23:39

You watch live TV you need to pay the licence. Irrelevant whether you support the BBC or not.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 21/12/2018 00:48

Curious to know how the TV Licence people know if you watch live TV or iPlayer?

I've paid my TV Licence for many years, but I don't even have live TV any more (no aerials), no Sky and I only ever watch Netflix or All4. Might look into not paying it, then.

GunpowderGelatine · 21/12/2018 00:55

Just pay it OP, it's only £12 a month, when I first moved in on my own I didn't realise I needed to do this Blush and had the TV license man knock on my door! So embarrassing but they do take it seriously

GunpowderGelatine · 21/12/2018 00:56

And the general rule is if you have a tablet with streaming on you're probably watching TV - the fact you don't watch BBC is neither here nor there

MrMeSeeks · 21/12/2018 01:11

I wish the bbc was opt in, i haven't watched their channels in years.

MrMeSeeks · 21/12/2018 01:12

If you watch channel 4 then you do need a license Confused

CheshireChat · 21/12/2018 01:15

GunpowderGelatine not quite, you need it if you watch or record live TV or the iPlayer.

If you don't, then you don't need it.

I've perfectly legally not had a TV licence for the past 5 years and counting, no issues either.

maddiemookins16mum · 21/12/2018 06:39

I never quite totally believe anyone who says the don’t watch live TV whatsoever, never at all. What about the news, or any sort of major event that unfolds over a few hours.

Vitalogy · 21/12/2018 06:51

In Ireland they are changing or have changed it to a "Media fee" . If you have a. Television or access to Internet in any way shape or form you have to pay it, it's 160euro per year. Disgusting isn't it. Non of the channels are commercial free either are they.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/12/2018 06:52

Why is there so much hatred for the BBC on mumsnet?

It is like some people feel morally superior by not watching it.

I watch a lot of BBC output because they make a lot of the sort of programmes I like. To me the licence fee is value for money, and I am happy to pay for it to keep BBC programmes advert free.

Vitalogy · 21/12/2018 07:05

I watch a lot of BBC output because they make a lot of the sort of programmes I like. To me the licence fee is value for money, and I am happy to pay for it to keep BBC programmes advert free. Great. Why do you think it's ok for others to feel forced to pay for something they have no interest in though. Make it a subscription service like all the others, no?

callymarch · 21/12/2018 07:05

doesnt anyone ever watch the news on TV? Live? Netflix and Amazon dont have news. what if a major event was happening and you wanted to see what was happening, live? I suppose you could pop next door and use their tv!

Shoxfordian · 21/12/2018 07:11

Viva la revolution op!
A rebel without a clue
Hope you get fined

stayathomer · 21/12/2018 07:13

Your right if you don't watch anything covered but laughing at the word resistance (Sorry!)

SuchAToDo · 21/12/2018 07:17

Op according to tv licence website this is what it says (I copied and pasted it)

Do I need a TV Licence?

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to:-

*watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service

*download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

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.

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