Get rid of my sky box? TV licence

oddlycurious1 · 2023-06-10T00:42:53+00:00

Hardly ever use it, mainly use the tv for youtube/netflix/prime. I do however use the bbc app occasionally. Would I still need to pay for my TV licence? Do they check?? Be honest people. 👀

LifeIsPainHighness · 10/06/2023 01:45

Yes you technically still need it.

I doubt they check.

I haven’t paid for a TV license in years but will watch the odd show. Am I fuck paying £14 a month to watch 3 shows a year.

Divorcedalongtime · 10/06/2023 02:10

I got rid of sky a couple of years ago and the box and now only use the tv for gaming and Netflix, prime etc. I do not use the i player app because they can check (well that’s what they say) and for me it’s not worth risking.

Divorcedalongtime · 10/06/2023 02:11

And stopped paying the tv licence I meant to say. As long as you use i player yin should pay the licence. The radio you can listen to without paying though

ToeJammed · 10/06/2023 06:40

I've never bought a licence and I watch iPlayer and live TV.
I'll never give my money to an organisation that supports paedophiles.
An official once turned up on my doorstep asking about a licence, he got a short shrift.
They've never bothered me since as I just fill in a form online saying I don't need one every couple of years.

hulahoopqueen · 10/06/2023 07:16

Fill in the online form and say you don't need one.
If the inspector comes to the door (highly unlikely they'll bother!) you aren't required to let them into your home as they will not have a warrant.

CalistoNoSolo · 10/06/2023 07:20

Haven't had a licence for several years, occasionally watch rugby if its an important tournament (six nations etc). The BBC isn't fit for purpose anymore, no way am I paying for it.

BlameItOnTheGoose · 10/06/2023 07:26

Ditch the Sky box, retain the TV licence

Alvinne · 10/06/2023 07:29

You do need a TV licence to watch iPlayer, this is what they say about how they monitor iPlayer use, read into that what you will. https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ310#:~:text=Our%20Privacy%20Policy%20explains%20that,BBC%20account%20sign%20in%20details.

There's no magical TV detector, so if you're going to evade payment you might as well just watch live tv too. I think as more people stop paying they'll monitor iPlayer more and more closely as on demand is the way most people are accessing TV content now. So iPlayer feels like it could be a worse option than live tv

TV licencing do prosecute thousands of people a week for licence fee evasion. This is an interesting read (but note the law had changed since it was writtenand you do need a licence for iPlayer since 2016)https://www.guardian.com/society/2014/sep/24/in-court-non-payment-tv-licence-television-desperate-cases

I kind of think if you use iPlayer, just play the TV licence, or don't use it and don't pay. Having paid the licence then stopping paying it but continuing to watch using the same account probably sends up some sort of red flag on the licencing people's database. Plus when you log in to iPlayer you have to click a button to say you have a licence, it just feels like these are the sort of things they'd monitor.

It's like £13 a month which is around 2 quid more than netflix, personally I think I'd decide which one I use most and then choose one service to pay for. I'd treat iPlayer like a service I don't have a subscription for and can't access if I didn't pay the fee, but then I don't want to be prosecuted and have it come up on enhanced DBS because of my work.

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ310#:~:text=Our%20Privacy%20Policy%20explains%20that,BBC%20account%20sign%20in%20details.

Alvinne · 10/06/2023 07:37

They people saying why should I pay to only watch a few shows a year, I just got a now TV subscription so I could watch Succession and I've cancelled it now I stopped watching it. Isn't it the same thing? Pay for the services you use?

Also how is the BBC not fit for purpose? the content is very high quality. To me Radio 4 alone is worth the licence fee and you don't even have to pay it for that.

highlandspooce · 10/06/2023 07:39

They people saying why should I pay to only watch a few shows a year, I just got a now TV subscription so I could watch Succession and I've cancelled it now I stopped watching it. Isn't it the same thing? Pay for the services you use?

That's your take on it. It's not how the BBC work. If you don't want to pay then don't use their services.

inappropriateraspberry · 10/06/2023 07:59

ToeJammed · 10/06/2023 06:40

I've never bought a licence and I watch iPlayer and live TV.
I'll never give my money to an organisation that supports paedophiles.
An official once turned up on my doorstep asking about a licence, he got a short shrift.
They've never bothered me since as I just fill in a form online saying I don't need one every couple of years.

A charity that supports what? Do you mean victims of?

Chloe84 · 10/06/2023 08:02

I watch all the live channels and apps, and I have never paid the TV license.

They send me letters and they just get chucked into the recycling.

I give zero shits.

x2boys · 10/06/2023 08:03

Alvinne · 10/06/2023 07:37

They people saying why should I pay to only watch a few shows a year, I just got a now TV subscription so I could watch Succession and I've cancelled it now I stopped watching it. Isn't it the same thing? Pay for the services you use?

Also how is the BBC not fit for purpose? the content is very high quality. To me Radio 4 alone is worth the licence fee and you don't even have to pay it for that.

Good for you ,many people think it's shit though ,it's subjective🙄

x2boys · 10/06/2023 08:16

Alvinne · 10/06/2023 07:29

You do need a TV licence to watch iPlayer, this is what they say about how they monitor iPlayer use, read into that what you will. https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ310#:~:text=Our%20Privacy%20Policy%20explains%20that,BBC%20account%20sign%20in%20details.

There's no magical TV detector, so if you're going to evade payment you might as well just watch live tv too. I think as more people stop paying they'll monitor iPlayer more and more closely as on demand is the way most people are accessing TV content now. So iPlayer feels like it could be a worse option than live tv

TV licencing do prosecute thousands of people a week for licence fee evasion. This is an interesting read (but note the law had changed since it was writtenand you do need a licence for iPlayer since 2016)https://www.guardian.com/society/2014/sep/24/in-court-non-payment-tv-licence-television-desperate-cases

I kind of think if you use iPlayer, just play the TV licence, or don't use it and don't pay. Having paid the licence then stopping paying it but continuing to watch using the same account probably sends up some sort of red flag on the licencing people's database. Plus when you log in to iPlayer you have to click a button to say you have a licence, it just feels like these are the sort of things they'd monitor.

It's like £13 a month which is around 2 quid more than netflix, personally I think I'd decide which one I use most and then choose one service to pay for. I'd treat iPlayer like a service I don't have a subscription for and can't access if I didn't pay the fee, but then I don't want to be prosecuted and have it come up on enhanced DBS because of my work.

You seriously think not paying for a tv licence would come up on an enhanced DBS?
at tea most you would get a fine but they would have to prove you were watching t.v. Without a licence and I do that you would have to admit it ,you are under no obligation to let anyone checking you,have a licence in your home ,and tv detector,vans were a load of nonsense.

fumigation · 10/06/2023 08:17

If you're not watching live TV or recording live TV, you don't need to pay for a TV licence.

I got a good deal with Sky Q/broadband etc and so have a Sky Q box but I don't watch or record live TV, I use it to access apps like Netflix/Discovery+ etc. I cancelled my TV licence and filled in a form on the BBC website which means I don't receive any of their horrible letters.

fumigation · 10/06/2023 08:20

fumigation · 10/06/2023 08:17

If you're not watching live TV or recording live TV, you don't need to pay for a TV licence.

I got a good deal with Sky Q/broadband etc and so have a Sky Q box but I don't watch or record live TV, I use it to access apps like Netflix/Discovery+ etc. I cancelled my TV licence and filled in a form on the BBC website which means I don't receive any of their horrible letters.

Oh I should add that while you can watch catch up programmes without a licence, you can't watch anything on iPlayer. I never did anyway so it's not a loss to me.

Basically I resented paying money each month for a service I did not use so I made a few adjustments to how I watch TV (E.g do catch up instead of recording stuff) and then cancelled the licence.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 10/06/2023 08:31

If it's only for live tv does catch up on iPlayer count then?

MattDamon · 10/06/2023 08:40

Use a fake email/address and register a new account to watch. Something like 2 million people ditched the license during covid - probably more by now. They aren't going to bother tracking them all down.

ToeJammed · 10/06/2023 08:40

inappropriateraspberry · 10/06/2023 07:59

A charity that supports what? Do you mean victims of?

Show quote history

I never mentioned a charity?

ToeJammed · 10/06/2023 08:43

Alvinne · 10/06/2023 07:29

You do need a TV licence to watch iPlayer, this is what they say about how they monitor iPlayer use, read into that what you will. https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ310#:~:text=Our%20Privacy%20Policy%20explains%20that,BBC%20account%20sign%20in%20details.

There's no magical TV detector, so if you're going to evade payment you might as well just watch live tv too. I think as more people stop paying they'll monitor iPlayer more and more closely as on demand is the way most people are accessing TV content now. So iPlayer feels like it could be a worse option than live tv

TV licencing do prosecute thousands of people a week for licence fee evasion. This is an interesting read (but note the law had changed since it was writtenand you do need a licence for iPlayer since 2016)https://www.guardian.com/society/2014/sep/24/in-court-non-payment-tv-licence-television-desperate-cases

I kind of think if you use iPlayer, just play the TV licence, or don't use it and don't pay. Having paid the licence then stopping paying it but continuing to watch using the same account probably sends up some sort of red flag on the licencing people's database. Plus when you log in to iPlayer you have to click a button to say you have a licence, it just feels like these are the sort of things they'd monitor.

It's like £13 a month which is around 2 quid more than netflix, personally I think I'd decide which one I use most and then choose one service to pay for. I'd treat iPlayer like a service I don't have a subscription for and can't access if I didn't pay the fee, but then I don't want to be prosecuted and have it come up on enhanced DBS because of my work.

First off, they would have to catch me watching BBC and being as they'll never set foot over my doorstep, I'd like them to prove just what I was watching through a closed door.

Newusernameaug · 10/06/2023 08:47

I use this website for anything I want to watch that’s been on other channels, such as the great pottery throw down, bake off etc

https://lookmovie2.to/

Lemons1571 · 10/06/2023 08:52

We had them round about a month after cancelling my parents licence (house now empty and in probate). So they do still check (maybe a random sample of addresses that have cancelled?)

x2boys · 10/06/2023 08:57

Lemons1571 · 10/06/2023 08:52

We had them round about a month after cancelling my parents licence (house now empty and in probate). So they do still check (maybe a random sample of addresses that have cancelled?)

The still check but you are under no obligation to let them in or even open the door to them .

LadyEloise1 · 10/06/2023 09:05

I wish I had access to the BBC iPlayer.
I live in Ireland so don't have it as I don't have a UK IP address.
I would gladly pay for access to it legally and have emailed the BBC boss stating that.
I got a reply back that they have no plans to extend it beyond its present reach.
I know the BBC has financial problems and a paid subscription by non UK IP address holders who are unable to access the BBC Iplayer might well help the coffers.
I always pay the licence fee for our state TV and radio broadcaster here in Ireland, RTE, which is financed by the TV licence, ads and government aid ( tax ).
We have some excellent tv and radio shows. I don't expect it for free.

FarmGirl78 · 10/06/2023 09:43

LifeIsPainHighness · 10/06/2023 01:45

Yes you technically still need it.

I doubt they check.

I haven’t paid for a TV license in years but will watch the odd show. Am I fuck paying £14 a month to watch 3 shows a year.

Oh they check!!

I advised them I didn't need a tv licence which at the time was true. I didn't watch iplayer. Did watch or record live tv. I informed them using email address X

I then wanted to watch something on iplayer as a one off, so made an account using my new email address Y. Watched about 2 programmes, that was it. (Technically I should have bought a licence at this point).

Totally forgot that logged onto a streaming stick at my friend's house, and they carried on watching iplayer for loads of stuff.

BBC have somehow tied the Y account to my address (no idea how) which is registered as no licence needed (X) and sent me an email to Y. I've obtained my data from them and my file was a very long list of exactly what programmes I've watched, on what device, and what date. (2 episodes of Luther at my house, and the entire box sets of 2 pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, and Gavin & Stacey watched by my mate.

I can't really argue I'm not the same person because my email addresses X and Y are basically my full name, and I'm also on the electoral roll for them to check. The letters in the post have got more and more threatening, with various deadlines for paying for a licence, dates when my details would be passed to the enforcement team, a date for when I'd be put on the list for a home visit, a date when they're do ABC, etc etc. I've heard they're just so busy this will never realistically happen and I've never got round to buying a licence or advising them I don't need one. They've now started sending letters to "The new occupier" instead of me directly.