TV Licence- AIBU?

[Namechange10002468]

Name change as I'm sharing some personal financial background here.

OK- so in October last year we really had to tighten our belt due to DH redundancy. We basically cut everything that wasn't absolute necessity. We could only afford to keep one TV based/entertainment thing and decided to keep Netflix at 5.99/month over TV licence which was £13.25/month and at the time we hadn't watched anything live or on BBC iplayer for 5 months.
We are now thankfully in a slightly better place with finances- although nowhere near where we used to be- and would like to renew our licence so DCs can have Cbeebies and also so DH can watch all the football. We logged on expecting to be able just renew and go back to paying the £13/month. Except the website refuses to allow us to renew on any payment option other than a £159 annual payment.
AIBU to think that, considering so many people since Covid have found themselves in financially difficult times, it is really unfair of the BBC/TV licencsing people not to be offering affordable payment options for those wishing to purchase a license? I actually feel so angry. We do not have £159 to give up front and to be able to do so would mean other bills going unpaid, less food in the shopping for the next couple of months or going into a overdraft that charges interest.
Interested to know others' thoughts on this because right now I want to fire off a stinking complaint to them.

@GreenCrayon
They have stopped the free licence for over 75's.
Also they just direct debited the full fee last June from the existing details they had, at least for my Dad and neighbour.
Luckily it didn't cause issues for those two but anyone on a low income who perhaps thought you would be opting in rather than opting out would get a shock.

@Royalbloo

It doesn't suddenly not apply if you don't watch BBC channels.

No you don't.

From the GOV.UK website:-

You must have a TV Licence if you:

watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they’re broadcast

download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand

Sorry, accidentally responded to the wrong post.

@Bananarice any extra tips or things you said to get them to agree for the licence to be paid monthly across 12 months?
Were you advocating for someone vulnerable?

@Royalbloo

You still need a TV licence if you have the ability to watch live TV.

Not true.

From the GOV.UK website:-

You must have a TV Licence if you:

watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they’re broadcast

download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand

@Iggly

While I struggle now with the concept of the tv license, I want a decent source of news and tv programming. I’ve yet to see that from Amazon, Netflix, and certainly not Sky.

I also don’t want news outlets which have ulterior motives and are owned by the likes of Rupert Murdoch.

I think there is an argument for a collectively funded independent source of news and educative and entertaining media. At the moment it’s the bbc but sadly it’s been infiltrated by the government who’ve effectively bribed it to act in a certain way.

Channel 4 or ITV news on catch-up?

Do none of you watch Sewing Bee, line of duty, Have I got news for you or listen to radio 1,2,3 or 4, or any of the local BBC radio stations?

You're missing out. (IMHO)

Yes, pointless, bargainhunt, etc - gentle relaxing tv. I don't want to watch violent box sets all the time. Or tragically troubled detectives, or violent gang, or american's marriage problems, I'm sure there is stuff on netflix or amazon I'd like but I just can't face trawling through it all.

We stopped using it and still get threatening letters saying we have used iplayer (we haven’t)
BBC is rubbish anyway -just can it.

At the moment it’s the bbc but sadly it’s been infiltrated by the government who’ve effectively bribed it to act in a certain way.
I believe research says it is claimed to be too right wing by some and too left wing by an equal number of others.
So maybe about right.
I think Covid is having a deleterious effect on news - there is a shortage of non covid stuff - or that is how it seems.

We cancelled ours years ago, we only watch Netflix, Now TV, Disney or Prime.

@Iggly

While I struggle now with the concept of the tv license, I want a decent source of news and tv programming. I’ve yet to see that from Amazon, Netflix, and certainly not Sky.

I also don’t want news outlets which have ulterior motives and are owned by the likes of Rupert Murdoch.

I think there is an argument for a collectively funded independent source of news and educative and entertaining media. At the moment it’s the bbc but sadly it’s been infiltrated by the government who’ve effectively bribed it to act in a certain way.

Sorry, me again. Or do what I do and subscribe to a couple of decent newspapers.

They're currently bombarding me with letters stating 'they're going to get me' on a plot of land with no house on it. Regretting getting a post box now!

[quote TheQueef]@GreenCrayon
They have stopped the free licence for over 75's.
Also they just direct debited the full fee last June from the existing details they had, at least for my Dad and neighbour.
Luckily it didn't cause issues for those two but anyone on a low income who perhaps thought you would be opting in rather than opting out would get a shock.[/quote]
Ah yes you're right it has now been changed although your post also shows yet another reason so many dislike the attitude of the BBC licence fee. What other company would just reinstate payments without consent from their customers and think nothing of taking the full amount rather than a monthly direct debit.

It's all just so bloody archaic.

@TeddingtonTrashbag

We stopped using it and still get threatening letters saying we have used iplayer (we haven’t) BBC is rubbish anyway -just can it.

Don’t forget to delete your account that you registered to use the iPlayer if you have one from before.

@Gemma2019

That was meant to say fine you

I've not had a licence in over 11 years, and I've not been fined £1, let alone £1000.

@Gemma2019

When my in laws died their house was empty so I cancelled the license. I've honestly never seen anything like the amount of letters received from TV Licensing. The amount they must spend on admin is insane. Had several cards put through the letterbox too from missed visits.

So far, I've received 133 letters, and had over a dozen visits.

I'm delighted to be costing them so much money.

Most of what I watch/listen to is BBC content.

@Learningatmyownpace

They're currently bombarding me with letters stating 'they're going to get me' on a plot of land with no house on it. Regretting getting a post box now!

They've been bombarding me for over 11 years (to date 133 letters and over a dozen visits), and they're no closer to "getting me", than the day my last licence expired.

@LizzieMacQueen

Do none of you watch Sewing Bee, line of duty, Have I got news for you or listen to radio 1,2,3 or 4, or any of the local BBC radio stations?

You're missing out. (IMHO)

I watch/listen to none of them. I don't believe that I'm missing out. Too busy watching National Geographic's Origins series on Disney+ and Clarkson's Farm on Prime.

I haven't had a TV licence ever since I started living independently. I haven't bothered telling them that I don't need one (why should I? I don't have to tell Sky that I don't use them) and just recycle the threatening letters. It's quite funny really. I still haven't had a visit.

@ScottishNewbie

'the most criminal acting but legal organisation ever'? Oh, give over. Private corporations do far worse every day. I smell political agenda.

The people on here openly admitting to using the services without paying for them are just making it difficult for people who are legitimacy licence free.
Please stick by your principles and if you do use their services then pay for it.
The people who have said they genuinely enjoy BBC content have no problem paying it so why should they subsidise those that don’t.

Legitimately

@SappysCurry

The people on here openly admitting to using the services without paying for them are just making it difficult for people who are legitimacy licence free. Please stick by your principles and if you do use their services then pay for it. The people who have said they genuinely enjoy BBC content have no problem paying it so why should they subsidise those that don’t.

Exactly. If you don't use the services that's a valid choice. If you do but don't pay you're a parasite and a thief.

@kowari

The solution they offered was that I could pay £6.50 weekly at the post office Like it's somehow less money if split into more installments?! I hate this. I've been on benefits before, I can manage my money fine thanks, but that doesn't help if there's just not enough of it.

They pay Crapita to harrass seniors and unemployed /low income to fund these salaries …

Gary linneker is paid £1.75 MILLION a year and Zoe Ball £1.36 MILLION

It’s outrageous