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.

I love paying my TV licence, it's so much better value than any other service, all of which are 95% trash

I agree. The BBC is so much more than Eastenders etc. Radio 4 alone is worth the license fee. And what about all the wonderful nature programmes! Who, apart from the BBC could afford Blue Planet etc? And there's Radio 1 2 3 and the World Service, and much else.

I lived in the US for many years and public broadcasting there is practically non-existent, and the few outlets that are available are struggling. Endless days devoted to little more than fundraising. Every item interspersed with a thinly disguised advert to thank their sponsors. It's dire.

Honestly, you'll miss the BBC if the license fee were to be scrapped.

I just knew blue planet would be mentioned
Wondered how it took so long

It’s twenty years ago by the way

National Geographic are making stunning HD documentaries as we speak

‘Honestly, you'll miss the BBC if the license fee were to be scrapped’

No honestly I won’t
As I don’t ever watch it

And when it is scrapped those that want to watch it can pay a subscription can’t they

@SappysCurry

Agreed That was covered upthread too

You couldn’t actually pay me enough to sit through an episode of east Enders
I’ve never seen even five minutes in my life, but the same as I know I don’t want to eat a live chickens head I feel the same about east Enders
Does anyone actually watch it these days ?

My mum - then she phones me up to tell me about it.

Honestly, you'll miss the BBC if the license fee were to be scrapped.

As someone just pointed out, Blue Planet was a generation ago and there are channels producing equally good documentaries right now.

I doubt I'd miss it, I haven't used their service for many years. I don't enjoy any of the other things you mentioned and while it would be a shame for the people who do, I wouldn't miss them if they were no longer being broadcast.

Also, I'd argue that the BBC act as a kind of silo or walled garden, keeping people in one place and ignorant of the amazing range of programming that is available. A bit like Facebook keeps people away from the real internet.

I doubt I'd miss it, I haven't used their service for many years. I don't enjoy any of the other things you mentioned and while it would be a shame for the people who do, I wouldn't miss them if they were no longer being broadcast.

Also, I'd argue that the BBC act as a kind of silo or walled garden, keeping people in one place and ignorant of the amazing range of programming that is available.

It wouldn't be missed here either, if I wanted it I'd pay for it but I don't see anything that it offers which cannot be equalled or bettered elsewhere.

I have to say your comment about being a walled garden is so accurate. Many of the people I know who have a licence absolutely fall into this category. They believe there is no need for any other subscription services because they have the BBC. I find it quite frustrating they are so anchored to it, it's as if they think it's the only option and I know that there is lots of content they would enjoy on other platforms.

Don’t answer the phone !!!

I like your silo analogy
As if there is no alternative unless it’s commercial tv (free) as has sponsored advertising and good value streaming services don’t exist - weird
They think the British public are gullible and stupid and easily led but their demographic is shrinking fast and they refuse to accept it, only the other day some bbc ‘exec’ was saying how britbox has half a million subscribers….
Like that’s a lot
Netflix must be quaking in their boots eh?

"Honestly, you'll miss the BBC if the license fee were to be scrapped."

I've not missed it, in the last 11 years.

I was just translating. Sorry I can't remember what I said, but I had to speak to human not a machine. The machine wasted a lot of my time. The lady I spoke to was nice and efficient. Hope you get someone like her.

‘Honestly, you'll miss the BBC if the license fee were to be scrapped

Why would anyone miss being forced to pay £150+ per year for something they don't use?

Just because you think something is great value doesn't mean everyone else does. I am sure you would hate to have to pay for Sky or Netflix even if you didn't watch it.

People who love the BBC should put their money where their mouth is and pay a higher licence fee via subscription instead of expecting everyone else to subsidise their choices. If it is so good surely you would have no problem paying much more for a subscription service? The current model is anachronistic and completely unfair.

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

It still happens because of naive ignorance. Women are disproportionately affected because they are an order of magnitude more likely to be at home when the Capita lot call around during 9-5 'working' hours, but a great many people are still totally ignorant of the reality of TV licencing. You are under no legal obligation to own a licence, you do not need to engage with Capita on any level, but some people still do because Capita turn up acting 'all official', which prompts people to afford them a degree of respect they do not merit, and also leads to the homeowner becoming compliant as they mistakenly believe the person with the clipboard and formal ID card holds some sort of authority. There is footage on Youtube of Capita staff reading homeowners their rights as if they are performing an arrest. It's baffling how they get away with it, but here we are.

I have seen that one - it’s on ChilliJonCarnes YouTube channel under ‘goon visits’ It’s absolutely hilarious isn’t it ? The goon starts reading rights likes he is a REAL POLICEMAN 😂 It’s so funny I think I should post it up really as it needs to be shared 🤣🤣😂

@SappysCurry

Don’t answer the phone !!!

I like your silo analogy
As if there is no alternative unless it’s commercial tv (free) as has sponsored advertising and good value streaming services don’t exist - weird
They think the British public are gullible and stupid and easily led but their demographic is shrinking fast and they refuse to accept it, only the other day some bbc ‘exec’ was saying how britbox has half a million subscribers….
Like that’s a lot
Netflix must be quaking in their boots eh?

That is one of the things that strikes me when people defend the BBC, that they often argue that the alternative is terrible commercial ridden television with no substance. But the truth is, if anything, the alternatives are at least good as the BBC.

We tried a Britbox subscription, watched for a couple of weeks because there were a few good things on there, then about two month later realised we weren't using it anymore.

Owww spooky their ears must have been burning as we had one of their goons at the door today...

The toddler promptly stood at the window repeating bye bye, bye bye at him continuously whilst I ignored him (permission to be a smug proud parent )

@GreenCrayon

Exceptional parenting I’d say

@SaskiaRembrandt
I just admit to being a total cheapskate here…
But it was a legitimate offer so I wasn’t being fraudulent
I signed up to Britbox for a week free trial just to watch the documentary about Emile Cilliers (the parachute killer)
Apart form that there was absolutely nothing I was remotely interested in seeing

@SaskiaRembrandt
Oh yes and it was an ITV production anyway

I'm a massive BBC fan and think the license fee is entirely reasonable for what it actually gets you but even I think that is hugely unfair, especially in pandemic times.

[quote SappysCurry]@SaskiaRembrandt
Oh yes and it was an ITV production anyway[/quote]
A commercial channel?! Are you sure MN is for you?

I haven't seen that documentary, but Granchester on ITV is a guilty pleasure of mine. I think ITV does cosy nostalgia really well.

We watched Ghosts on Britbox, it's a sitcom and was very funny. But then, being plebish types, nothing else appealed so we debarked to Netflix/Amazon/Arte.tv.

I love Endeavour

As long as your not watching tv as it's broadcast live, then research in case in wrong, but as far as I'm aware you don't need a license, if it's a show that's already broadcast e.g. Watching BBC I player, or Netflix ect then you should not need one.

Without a licence You cannot watch iPlayer /( bbc catch-up )
Or watch any live broadcasts on any channel
Or record live broadcasts

Other than that you can watch catch up on any other channel except bbc and use streaming services such as Netflix etc

@SappysCurry

Without a licence You cannot watch iPlayer /( bbc catch-up ) Or watch any live broadcasts on any channel Or record live broadcasts

Other than that you can watch catch up on any other channel except bbc and use streaming services such as Netflix etc

I stand corrected on the BBC iplayer,

@Hawkins001

Just didn’t want anyone to potentially get into trouble !

So For clarification Here is the regulation from TVL Website

‘The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer’

Should add the above applies to ANY device, laptop, tablet, phone, TV, Xbox etc.

[quote SappysCurry]@Hawkins001

Just didn’t want anyone to potentially get into trouble !

So For clarification Here is the regulation from TVL Website

‘The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer’[/quote]
That's understandable, so basically as long as your watching e.g. Netflix or YouTube ect you should be ok, at least that's my reading of your information ?

For YouTube, as long as it's not a live stream but a pre recorded video