My TV license is due for renewal - AIBU to think that I don't need one?

[Prontoe]

So I'm wondering what I need a TV license for.
For some reason, I have it in my head that I need it for BBC (never watch).
I do watch live Sky TV.
Do I need to renew it?

From their website:

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

•   <strong>*watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel</strong>
  

•   <strong>*watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service</strong> (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
  

•   <strong>*download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer</strong>.
  

This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown on TV or live on an online TV service. It’s not just live events like sport, news and music. It also covers soaps, series, documentaries and even movies.

Do you watch any tv? If so, yes you need one. Subscription services like Netflix excluded.

So yes YABU.

Yeah if you have sky you need one as you can access bbc via sky. Only way you can not have a licence if you have a smart tv and watch paid subscription tv and I think channel 4 and itv.

Yes if you watch any TV on a normal TV channel, including Sky. If you get no channels and only watch Netflix and Prime, then no

The bbc have been excellent at getting resources available for children to continue learning during the lockdown. They have provided us with ongoing news (as have the other public service broadcasters).

There is a list of what your license fee pay for... www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-does-your-licence-fee-pay-for-top13

Do you really not benefit from any of these services? What about others in your family?

If you watch live tv on any channel or device, then yes.

You watch live tv on sky, so you need a tv licence.

It's pretty simple.

I didn't have one for several years, didn't miss it. Got one recently as l thought I wanted to watch the new, keep up to date. Turns out I much prefer reading the news.

If you watch live TV at all you need one. So yes to live Sky. Otherwise you don't.

Ok, well that's 170 gone then it seems.
One step forwards, two steps backward.
TV is never really turned on in my house apart from for Sky News or such, so thought maybe I didn't need one.

Yes if you watch sky or any live TV you need one. I haven't had one in years but only watch streaming services.

Yes, if you watch live tv on any station, you need a license.

I got rid of my virgin box last week. We now dont even have freeview on our tv as theres no box or aerial. We have no facility to record tv but it's a smart tv so it does have apps like channel 3, channel 4 and 5, Netflix etc. If I delete the BBC app will I not need one?

Just making sure that you're not responding to the "your TV licence is due for renewal " scam email that is circulating at the moment.. don't click on the links or enter any payment details!

You don't need to delete the app. You just need to not watch it.
You can't watch anything on iPlayer but you can watch all the other channels - channel 4 etc. Just not their live output.

You don't need a licenSe, but you do need a licenCe.

Sorry OP, you need a licence because of the live Sky content.
Got rid of our licence 2 months ago as we only watch Netflix, Prime and ITV player (catch-up). Aerial disconnected, TV channels detuned and no iPlayer. Plenty of good news sites on the internet to keep up to date.

And hell will freeze over before I give Sky a penny

Channel four also gets some licence payer money I thought. So 4od would already put you in the frame.

If you're asking this because you had an email telling you that you need to renew, don't click on it, it's a SCAM.

For some reason the pandemic of Ovid seems to have brought on a pandemic of TV licence scam emails, I get one most days.

I'm gonna watch Killing Eve - the only thing I watch on BBC - then cancel my licence. I don't watch any live TV at alll, I have Netflix, NowTV and a Prime stick. Waste of £13 a month

IV only got Netflix and Amazon prime so I don't have one.

TV is never really turned on in my house apart from for Sky News or such
If you only turn the tv on occasionally for Sky News, why are you paying for Sky? Far more expensive than the tv licence...

You need one if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer.
We only use Netflix, YouTube and Disney+ so have declared we do not need one.

Yes. I enjoy the BBC programmes available in Ireland I'd happily pay for it.
RTE I begrudged paying for years, crap TV lots of advertisements during breaks.
They've improved their shows slightly so im less grumpy.

If you only turn the tv on occasionally for Sky News, why are you paying for Sky? Far more expensive than the tv licence

Skynews is free but if you watch it you need a licence.