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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People that Say they don't watch TV

464 replies

Aquarius1234 · 14/01/2023 22:04

OMG so annoying. Esp those that lie.
You do watch TV so stop making out you spend all evening not looking at a screen!
Or those that say they never watch movies or go cinema. You then find out they go twice a year.
Watching sport or netflix counts as watching tv regardless if you watch it on your laptop or not.

OP posts:
DeeCeeCherry · 14/01/2023 23:12

I dont watch TV. I have lots of other things that I do so I find TV doesnt really come to mind. I don't care who does or who doesn't watch TV, each to their own. It's weird that you care.

I have a friend who used to go on and on and on that I don't watch the news on TV, until i told her to STFU. Also an ex who'd put on rolling Sky News whenever I came to his, because he was aggrieved I didnt sit watching news so he made it his mission yo force me. I stopped going round there then got rid - problem solved.

This is the same odd energy - people who cant stand that you're not doing the same as they do. Arguing or implying that someone must or should watch TV is a stupid form of insecurity. If you were cool with what you're doing you wouldn't be gnashing teeth because others don't do the same. Maybe mix it up a bit, motivate yourself to get up and do other things you like, it'll chill you out

PurpleNebula84 · 14/01/2023 23:12

I take the meaning of watching TV being watching terrestrial / live to air programmes that follow a schedule.
Not watching films on Netflix etc.
I don't watch BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or any live TV.
I have Netflix, Prime and Disney+ - mostly for my DD.
I occasionally watch a series on the above streaming PLATFORMS as and when I can be bothered, but generally speaking, I listen to the radio on an evening. I now listen to this through an Echo - before that it was on the radio channels on my TV (no videos or anything, just a screen saver) so would that count to you?
I think my understanding and concept of watching TV is probably the norm for most people.

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:13

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 22:07

Not sure what your issue is, tbh.
I say I don't watch TV.. and by that I mean I do not sit in front of it and keep channel surfng for things to watch. I know what I want to see, and I select those programs and nothing else.
I don't smoke but I tried a fag in my teens. Does that mean I am lying about not smoking?

that’s a really odd thing to say, you clearly watch tv . Watching tv is not defined as mindless scrolling. It’s watching a broadcast on a tv or computer. Which you do. Why would you say you don’t?

I don’t watch much tv, In that I will watch specific programs or maybe a couple of movies a week, past that I prefer it off. But I’m fully aware when I am sitting looking at the tv and watching something I am actually watching tv.

the smoking thing has no relevance at all. If you’ve not smoked since teens and are say much older then no you don’t smoke.

if you’ve also not watched any program or film on tv since teens then no you don’t watch tv. But this isn’t the case, you’re an active tv watcher.

PriamFarrl · 14/01/2023 23:13

I never watch live TV, everything I watch is via iplayer or other streaming services.

If someone was talking about a specific show then I would say I don’t watch it.

BungleandGeorge · 14/01/2023 23:13

But they didn’t say they don’t watch tv, they said they don’t watch MUCH tv. Not the same thing. I generally say this when people are talking about the things that they’ve watched and I’ve seen none of them….because I don’t watch much tv!

PurpleNebula84 · 14/01/2023 23:13

Not sure why platforms is in capitals lol 😂😂😂

EmmaEmerald · 14/01/2023 23:15

PurpleNebula84 · 14/01/2023 23:12

I take the meaning of watching TV being watching terrestrial / live to air programmes that follow a schedule.
Not watching films on Netflix etc.
I don't watch BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or any live TV.
I have Netflix, Prime and Disney+ - mostly for my DD.
I occasionally watch a series on the above streaming PLATFORMS as and when I can be bothered, but generally speaking, I listen to the radio on an evening. I now listen to this through an Echo - before that it was on the radio channels on my TV (no videos or anything, just a screen saver) so would that count to you?
I think my understanding and concept of watching TV is probably the norm for most people.

Interesting
I say I'm a big TV watcher but I only have Netflix.

SocksAndTheCity · 14/01/2023 23:15

I love TV and watch hours and hours of it - box sets, films, documentaries. Given that my TV is also massive I probably qualify for benefits just on the basis of these two things, despite not having a brand new iphone or any other Apple products.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 14/01/2023 23:16

I do find this thread bonkers in a wonderful way 🤣

GoAgainstNicki · 14/01/2023 23:17

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 22:07

Not sure what your issue is, tbh.
I say I don't watch TV.. and by that I mean I do not sit in front of it and keep channel surfng for things to watch. I know what I want to see, and I select those programs and nothing else.
I don't smoke but I tried a fag in my teens. Does that mean I am lying about not smoking?

That’s still you watching TV….

Spectre8 · 14/01/2023 23:18

PurpleNebula84 · 14/01/2023 23:12

I take the meaning of watching TV being watching terrestrial / live to air programmes that follow a schedule.
Not watching films on Netflix etc.
I don't watch BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or any live TV.
I have Netflix, Prime and Disney+ - mostly for my DD.
I occasionally watch a series on the above streaming PLATFORMS as and when I can be bothered, but generally speaking, I listen to the radio on an evening. I now listen to this through an Echo - before that it was on the radio channels on my TV (no videos or anything, just a screen saver) so would that count to you?
I think my understanding and concept of watching TV is probably the norm for most people.

100% this.

Watching TV means broadcast whether live or recorded over satellite, over the air or cable.

Strea.ing is watching videos, movies etc over the Internet.

Its pretty clear cut.

Thats why the TV licence has it set out and why if you don't watch TV ergo you stream content via netflix then you do not need a licence.

So just go by the definition of what does or does not require a TV licence.

So I'm one who says they don't watch TV and say I streamed something or just say I watched something on netflix

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:19

PurpleNebula84 · 14/01/2023 23:12

I take the meaning of watching TV being watching terrestrial / live to air programmes that follow a schedule.
Not watching films on Netflix etc.
I don't watch BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or any live TV.
I have Netflix, Prime and Disney+ - mostly for my DD.
I occasionally watch a series on the above streaming PLATFORMS as and when I can be bothered, but generally speaking, I listen to the radio on an evening. I now listen to this through an Echo - before that it was on the radio channels on my TV (no videos or anything, just a screen saver) so would that count to you?
I think my understanding and concept of watching TV is probably the norm for most people.

I don’t think so no that’s not the norm , I’d also say I’m watching tv if I’m streaming Netflix . Do you maybe not use an actual tv and only watch on a laptop or phone maybe. So technically you don’t watch it on a tv?

Theunamedcat · 14/01/2023 23:19

I think of "tv" as the terrestrial channels 1-5 you tube doesn't count in my mind nor does netflix because its not "tv" its netflix

I realise how deranged this sounds

Chasedbythechaser · 14/01/2023 23:20

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 22:07

Not sure what your issue is, tbh.
I say I don't watch TV.. and by that I mean I do not sit in front of it and keep channel surfng for things to watch. I know what I want to see, and I select those programs and nothing else.
I don't smoke but I tried a fag in my teens. Does that mean I am lying about not smoking?

But you DO watch tv.
Don't most employed people select a few programmes a week that they'd like to watch and either record them/watch them on playback or watch them when they are on? I do this and would never say I don't watch tv. Of course I do.

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:20

Spectre8 · 14/01/2023 23:18

100% this.

Watching TV means broadcast whether live or recorded over satellite, over the air or cable.

Strea.ing is watching videos, movies etc over the Internet.

Its pretty clear cut.

Thats why the TV licence has it set out and why if you don't watch TV ergo you stream content via netflix then you do not need a licence.

So just go by the definition of what does or does not require a TV licence.

So I'm one who says they don't watch TV and say I streamed something or just say I watched something on netflix

What do you watch it on?

yorkshirepudsx · 14/01/2023 23:21

Depends who's asking, do you work for TV licensing OP? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

People that Say they don't watch TV
FancyFanny · 14/01/2023 23:21

What a set of nobs! Watching ANYTHING filmed on screen is called 'watching TV!' whether it's live, streamed, recorded or otherwise!

FancyFanny · 14/01/2023 23:22

Netflix is 'not TV?' Eh?

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 23:22

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:13

that’s a really odd thing to say, you clearly watch tv . Watching tv is not defined as mindless scrolling. It’s watching a broadcast on a tv or computer. Which you do. Why would you say you don’t?

I don’t watch much tv, In that I will watch specific programs or maybe a couple of movies a week, past that I prefer it off. But I’m fully aware when I am sitting looking at the tv and watching something I am actually watching tv.

the smoking thing has no relevance at all. If you’ve not smoked since teens and are say much older then no you don’t smoke.

if you’ve also not watched any program or film on tv since teens then no you don’t watch tv. But this isn’t the case, you’re an active tv watcher.

Is watching a DVD watching TV? Is watching a film at the cinema watching TV?
Is watching a selected program on Netflix watching TV?
Either they are all the same, or they are not.

ColdHandsHotHead · 14/01/2023 23:23

The only thing I've watched on telly in the past three months is the Detectorists Christmas special. I've also watched all the series again in iplayer. So you could say I watch telly but not much.

PurpleNebula84 · 14/01/2023 23:23

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:19

I don’t think so no that’s not the norm , I’d also say I’m watching tv if I’m streaming Netflix . Do you maybe not use an actual tv and only watch on a laptop or phone maybe. So technically you don’t watch it on a tv?

No, I have a TV (in fact I have 2) and mostly watch streaming services through them both - very rarely through a phone or other device.
As @Spectre8 has said, I don't need a TV licence because of my viewing habits. I consider what I watch as streaming and do it via Smart TV rather than a different device.

FancyFanny · 14/01/2023 23:24

A television is that actual thing you watch films and programmes on- it's not a specific channel!

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 23:25

Theunamedcat · 14/01/2023 23:19

I think of "tv" as the terrestrial channels 1-5 you tube doesn't count in my mind nor does netflix because its not "tv" its netflix

I realise how deranged this sounds

This.
I think it is just how language has evolved around it too.
I am an 80s child... "watching TV" to me means sitting infront the big screen that your furniture is facing towards.

SapphireSeptember · 14/01/2023 23:26

I don't watch TV, or stream anything, the only thing I watch is YouTube. That runs the whole gamut of hour long or more documentaries about ships sinking and plane crashed, to shorts about fashion and make up. And music, lots and lots of music!

itscseason · 14/01/2023 23:26

Aquarius1234 · 14/01/2023 22:06

It's annoyed me for a few years.
But people that make a point to say they don't watch much TV. Yet they watch crap reality TV. Erm again yes that counts as TV.
Just cos you haven't watched every single crime drama on BBC.

Someone asked if I’d ever seen Breaking Bad, the woman I was also with said no and I said “oh really, you should it’s a great show”

Her response was “my life is too fulfilling to watch tv”

Literally judged me for watching a show 8 years ago. Also the next time I saw her she was talking about a tv show. Odd odd woman.

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