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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:
Thread gallery
7
WineDarkNo308 · 27/12/2022 19:38

themonkeysnuts · 27/12/2022 17:07

the BBC is nothing but crap and repeats

I might be the exception here but I’m happy to pay it. Loved the following this year, that I can remember all on BBC:
The Tourist
SAS Rogue Heroes
Strictly Come Dancing
Strike
Traitors
This Is Going To Hurt
The Capture
Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams
Chloe
Killing Eve
Countryfile
Repair Shop
Everything I Know About Love
Conversations With Friends
The Split
Inside Man

SkylightSkylight · 27/12/2022 20:02

healthadvice123 · 27/12/2022 02:01

@SkylightSkylight yes def or as we have a licence i said should be like a £20 add on if you have a child at uni
Sooner they scrap it the better really , happy with adverts

@healthadvice123

yeah, or that, but some minimal contribution! I favour the independent Uni fee so it's the same for all students not dependent on parents.

SkylightSkylight · 27/12/2022 20:05

Adelant · 27/12/2022 02:02

I do watch TV that requires a license but not BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or 5 or their offshoots.

Re official link it says it right there on the TV Licensing website:

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/bbc-iplayer-and-the-tv-licence

Show quote history

@Adelant

Yes, but surely while at her parents house she's downloading it under her parents licence

SkylightSkylight · 27/12/2022 20:08

NewBootsAndRanty · 27/12/2022 02:04

@SkylightSkylight if I even try to watch or download anything on iplayer, it asks me to sign in / confirm I have a licence.

@NewBootsAndRanty

but surely she's downloading it under her parents licence at their house??

SkylightSkylight · 27/12/2022 20:28

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

@Shooshan

Do you never watch any live sport, any current events (news, queens funeral type of thing?) politics etc

or do you watch them somehow else?

seventyp · 27/12/2022 20:45

I watch Eastenders on my boyfriends laptop when he comes over as he has a license.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 20:47

Just buy one! Unless you don't really want to watch Eastenders as it won't exist if you don't.

Athenen0ctua · 27/12/2022 21:01

SkylightSkylight · 27/12/2022 20:28

@Shooshan

Do you never watch any live sport, any current events (news, queens funeral type of thing?) politics etc

or do you watch them somehow else?

Show quote history

Not who you tagged, but I don't. I just read the news, no interest in professional sports or a funeral of someone I didn't know personally.

TheGuv1982 · 27/12/2022 21:09

It’s an absolute con as you “have” to have one for watching any “live” broadcast.

ColdHandsHotHead · 27/12/2022 21:14

I watched Detectorists last night and am happy to pay the licence fee for that alone. The only other thing I've watched in the last year is Sewing Bee.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:14

Detectorists is sooooo good x

Shoecleaner · 27/12/2022 21:17

SkylightSkylight · 27/12/2022 20:28

@Shooshan

Do you never watch any live sport, any current events (news, queens funeral type of thing?) politics etc

or do you watch them somehow else?

Show quote history

I never watch anything live. Netflix, Prime. Apple TV and Disney are all we watch. I don't watch sport or have any interest in current events that are broadcast live.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:20

If you are able to receive or record live TV then you need a licence. It's really simple.

If you don't get one, and get caught, you can be fined and if you then don't pay the fine you can go to prison for non-payment of a court fine.

There's so much information out there which is official guidance that there is no excuse for flagrant disregard of the rules.

If you don't like it then get your TV de-tuned so it cannot receive a live broadcast and then you'll be fine. Or, put your TV in the bin.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:21

Having said that, if you truly don't need one then don't buy one.

EmmaAgain22 · 27/12/2022 21:22

Royal "If you are able to receive or record live TV then you need a licence."

able to receive - no. My phone can pick up live TV.

NewBootsAndRanty · 27/12/2022 21:23

@Royalbloo you just need to fill in a declaration with tv licensing - no need to get your tv detuned.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:23

In which case you need a TV licence. It's really not difficult and I used to work for the BBC.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:24

NewBootsAndRanty · 27/12/2022 21:23

@Royalbloo you just need to fill in a declaration with tv licensing - no need to get your tv detuned.

Not true. You can declare "No licence needed" and "WOIRA" which withdraws the implied right of access for them to knock on your door but they can still use covert surveillance. I used to work for the BBC.

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:25

NewBootsAndRanty · 27/12/2022 21:23

@Royalbloo you just need to fill in a declaration with tv licensing - no need to get your tv detuned.

If they visit and you decide to let them in and you're able to receive a signal, then you will be fined.

NewBootsAndRanty · 27/12/2022 21:26

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:23

In which case you need a TV licence. It's really not difficult and I used to work for the BBC.

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

There is not a single question asking whether you have a tv/you are able to receive or record live TV - just whether or not you actively watch live tv/Iplayer.

EmmaAgain22 · 27/12/2022 21:28

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:25

If they visit and you decide to let them in and you're able to receive a signal, then you will be fined.

Show quote history

Which is why I disconnected the aerial.

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 21:28

Ex Capita Goon Alert ?

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 21:29

Or maybe not ‘ex’ 🤔

Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:33

I don't work for The BBC any longer but the guidance is REALLY clear and you'd have to be pretty mentally impeded not to understand this.

Here you go, and I don't care if you get a fine or don't or get a licence or don't but it's really really simple:

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/watching-live-online-and-on-mobile#:~:text=It%20doesn't%20matter%20if%20you%20receive%20TV%20programmes%20from,On%20any%20device.

I've attached a handy photo for those who cannot understand the law. I absolutely do not care if you decide to ignore this and break the law, but there are so many ignorant people on this thread when the information is so freely available....I really don't get it....

TV license
Royalbloo · 27/12/2022 21:34

I've also been to court and heard charges read out against those who have broken this LAW and they have ALL had fines when caught.

You do you.