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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

TV license

326 replies

Sky1992 · 27/12/2022 00:57

So AIBU to stop my direct debit towards TV license since the kids only watch netflix, you tube or Disney and I only watch eastenders and most times I watch it at my parents?

Also is it worth cancelling it and only watching eastenders when I'm not at home or downloading it at my parents who do have TV license and watch it mine once its downloaded?

OP posts:
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7
Virginiaplain · 27/12/2022 06:31

Can’t believe people are happy to have adverts.
I hate them - you can’t get immersed in a tv prog the way you can with a book or movie if there are constant adverts.

KickHimInTheCrotch · 27/12/2022 06:45

I think I must just be getting old but I think it's really sad that people these days don't ever just put on the telly and see what's on, especially for children. I'd hate to only have access to streamed shows and box sets with all episodes laid out for you. Obviously it's nice to have that as an option but sometimes I just want to see "what's on the box" as my grandma used to say.

WineDarkNo308 · 27/12/2022 06:57

If you’re watching Eastenders you need one. I bought my DS a tv license as a housewarming gift and the only BBC program he watches is Dr Who.

RampantIvy · 27/12/2022 07:00

malmi · 27/12/2022 06:15

Not sure I believe people who say they have a TV and watch live channels but never ever any BBC content. I mean, there is such a diverse range of content they make. Would be interested to hear what they are actually watching.

I agree. I assume these same people never watch any of the following:

Drama of any kind
Documentaries
Wildlife programmes
Comedy
Music
Sport
News
Quiz shows
Cookery shows
Soaps
Reality TV
Big events like the queen's jubilee
Loads of other categories I can't think of right now

I am happy to pay for this content even though I don't watch every type of programme.

Gobrookeyourself · 27/12/2022 07:13

Shooshan · 27/12/2022 03:34

I don't have one but we genuinely don't need one.

We watch YouTube, Netflix, disneyplus, amazon prime.

Haven't watched any live TV in years or anything on catch up etc. None of the BBC, itv, Channel 4 shite

According to their website, you need a tv license for YouTube and prime video but not for Netflix or Disney plus.. I don’t understand why that is at all

Gobrookeyourself · 27/12/2022 07:15

Gobrookeyourself · 27/12/2022 07:13

According to their website, you need a tv license for YouTube and prime video but not for Netflix or Disney plus.. I don’t understand why that is at all

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Oh sorry, I think I’ve misunderstood! It says if you watch live on prime, I didn’t know you could do that on prime, I thought it was all streaming

Notplayingball · 27/12/2022 07:16

We cancelled ours in June this year. Just had enough paying for something we were never watching. Family watch YouTube, Disney+ and other streaming channels.

I don't blame you OP.

RampantIvy · 27/12/2022 07:16

I agree that they need to update how they get their licence fees. Having no TV isn't an excuse as there are so many alternatives to watch TV content.

NotSorry · 27/12/2022 07:16

Gobrookeyourself · 27/12/2022 07:15

Oh sorry, I think I’ve misunderstood! It says if you watch live on prime, I didn’t know you could do that on prime, I thought it was all streaming

Show quote history

I did too until I realised my DH was watching live football on it yesterday

SnackSizeRaisin · 27/12/2022 07:17

ExtraOnions · 27/12/2022 01:30

As long as you are not using any BBC services (TV, Radio, Website, Bitesized, Streaming etc)

Not true. You don't need a TV licence to listen to BBC radio. However you do need one to watch non BBC TV channels live. ITV, channel 4 etc Even subscription channels such as Eurosport.

BCBird · 27/12/2022 07:21

I rarely watch any forming TV but still buy a licence because in the odd occasion I chose to watch something,once every few months perhaps I do not want to risk a fine. U need one even if using iplayer. There was a chsnge in.the law. I winder how these over paid celebrity wages or going to be funded in the future?

RampantIvy · 27/12/2022 07:26

NotSorry · 27/12/2022 07:16

I did too until I realised my DH was watching live football on it yesterday

Show quote history

Same @NotSorry. DH and DD enjoyed watching Newcastle beat Leicester yesterday.

Notplayingball · 27/12/2022 07:28

WineDarkNo308 · 27/12/2022 06:57

If you’re watching Eastenders you need one. I bought my DS a tv license as a housewarming gift and the only BBC program he watches is Dr Who.

That's roughly £15.90 per episode of Dr Who - great value for money 🤪

EasterIsland · 27/12/2022 07:33

YABU and a leech on others. Selfish.

Ifailed · 27/12/2022 07:36

it's ridiculous in this day and age to have people knocking on your door and people getting arrested or going to jail for what shows they watch on TV.

No one has gone to prison for watching TV. If the persistantly refuse to pay a court-issued fine, you may well end up with a custodial sentence.

Mexicola · 27/12/2022 07:43

I cancelled our tv licence about 3 years ago.

I realised after a while we never watched live TV anymore or anything on iplayer so it was a waste of money.

In my opinion the BBC should move with the times and compete in the same structure as Netflix, Disney etc. if it’s so wonderful then people would be happy to pay the equivalent of the licence fee but you shouldn’t need to watch live TV.

Archaic.

Ansumpasty · 27/12/2022 07:44

I don’t pay for one and haven’t for years now. Neither do most of my friends. Obviously no live TV and no BBC I player, but I don’t know many who watch that anyway.
We have Netflix, Prime, Disney+ etc, plus all the ‘on demand’ catch up for the likes of Channel 4. They have all the best series/documentaries/wildlife programmes, etc. You just can’t watch anything live or BBC i player.
Watch it at your mums if you must and save yourself some money!

Krakenwakes · 27/12/2022 07:45

I’d much rather pay the TV licence and have ITV, C4, C5, BBC etc than any other channel. We have Netflix, but are thinking of giving that up.

MockneyReject · 27/12/2022 07:58

It's not 'advert free' though, is it? Not if you're paying the BBC, so that you can watch something on ITV?

WineDarkNo308 · 27/12/2022 08:03

Notplayingball · 27/12/2022 07:28

That's roughly £15.90 per episode of Dr Who - great value for money 🤪

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It’s £159 for the year and there are 177 episodes on iPlayer currently so I make it about 90p per episode 😉

TerraNostra · 27/12/2022 08:05

beccahamlet · 27/12/2022 02:43

It's a TV licence. With a c. License with an s is the verb. Eg 'You have to license your TV'.

Thank God someone said this!!

cf a billion threads about driving “licenses”, aargh.

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 08:08

@RampantIvy
All of your list are on the now many streaming services
maybe not news/ wether - Met Office weather on YouTube

gogohmm · 27/12/2022 08:08

If you are watching eastenders at your house you need a licence!

How do you think they get the revenue to make your programme. Perhaps try some other programmes you might like them!

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 08:11

@RampantIvy I meant to say also the catchup channels

you can watch anything except LIVE Tv or bbc iPlayer

ichundich · 27/12/2022 08:13

YABU for watching Eastenders.