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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To cancel my TV licence

175 replies

trampoline123 · 29/05/2024 08:18

I want to cancel my TV licence because I'm fed up of the way they broadcast the news. The language they use and the way they report is biased and quite frankly sickening. I don't want to fund it in any way shape or form.

AIBU to cancel my tv license for this reason?

OP posts:
titbumwillypoo · 29/05/2024 10:17

Megifer · Today 09:40

This thread is about TV licence, I was just letting op know I've not had one for a while.
You're using a service that costs money but you don't think you should pay for it. How is that NOT theft?

Hereyoume · 29/05/2024 10:17

NeverDropYourMooncup · 29/05/2024 09:53

As the majority of other providers use the BT Openreach system, that's exactly what happens. It's just that Sky, etc, pay them out of the money you hand over, instead of BT invoicing you direct.

I was using BT as an example.

🙄

VolvoFan · 29/05/2024 10:18

PassingStranger · 29/05/2024 10:13

Hope you get caught?
How do you think they make programmes, pay radio staff etc if nobody pays?

They should raise money from advertising like everyone else does.

Lellochip · 29/05/2024 10:20

jannier · 29/05/2024 10:15

You can't watch It X either

You can, as long as you're not watching live ITV via ITVx. You can have all of those, Prime, Sky, Netflix, ITVx and not need one, but the second you watch something live (say sport on Prime or Sky) you need one. This is why the current rules do not work for the way people consume media these days, too confusing and too easy to break the rules

QualityDog · 29/05/2024 10:21

You can't watch It X either

I don't watch any live tv, I've already said that.

I mean there are BBC programmes on ITVX. Obviously they aren't live.

LittleBrenda · 29/05/2024 10:22

You can't watch It X either

Of course you can. This is why people get the wind put up them.

trampoline123 · 29/05/2024 10:24

@jannier well, hard to know if it's been pushed out of the news for that reason, or if it's just not a new news story but definitely another reason to not like mainstream news.

There's numerous atrocities going on in the world, Congo etc that barely get a mention.

They just report what suits their narrative.

OP posts:
BabySnarkDoDoo · 29/05/2024 10:24

Some misinformation here. You don't need a TV license to listen to BBC Radio. You only need a license if you stream live broadcasts on platforms like Youtube, ITVX, etc. Iplayer you do always need a license to watch. There are popups asking you to confirm you have a TV License if you accidentally stumble onto a live stream so it's quite easy to avoid those if you do decide you don't want to have a TV License.

Zimunya · 29/05/2024 10:26

Hereyoume · 29/05/2024 10:05

Why did you let a stranger into your house?

Why did you even speak with Capita?

Those letters are just computer generated, there is no "investigation".

Do you usually fall for scams?

You let a stranger walk into your home to "check" something!

He could have been anybody.

If a random man knocked on your door and asked to check the contents of your fridge would you have let him in also?

I hope you didn't sign anything.

It's a common tactic of the Capita sales people, they look around and than ask you to sign their paperwork to "confirm that you don't have a TV". This paperwork is a prosecution witness statement called a TVL 127 form, they basically write out a statement admitting that a TV is being watched illegally and then get gullible people to sign it. You end up in court, they get their commission.

These scumbags aren't decent people, they aren't nice or polite. They prey on the vulnerable and poor.

You were really silly to let that man into your home.

I let him in because DH was at home, I was safe, and I wanted the TV licence letters to stop - which they did.

He was very clear that I didn't have to let him in (I knew that anyway) and he did not ask me to sign anything - nor would I have done so if asked - I had already written to them three times explaining the circumstances - there would be absolutely no need for additional paperwork.

I obtained the result I wanted by letting him in (cessation of correspondnece), although I fully appreciate that there was no legal obligation to do so, and nor am I suggesting that others should in the same cirumstances. Letting him in obtained the desired outcome for me at that point in time.

EasternStandard · 29/05/2024 10:28

As long as you avoid their content that should be paid for then it’s up to you

I find it problematic at times, but still access a smaller part so I pay

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:28

VolvoFan · 29/05/2024 10:18

They should raise money from advertising like everyone else does.

It needs to move over to a subscription service.
Although it's so shit these days it would probably fail.
I haven't forgiven them for ruining Doctor Who.

Jc2001 · 29/05/2024 10:31

trampoline123 · 29/05/2024 08:18

I want to cancel my TV licence because I'm fed up of the way they broadcast the news. The language they use and the way they report is biased and quite frankly sickening. I don't want to fund it in any way shape or form.

AIBU to cancel my tv license for this reason?

Cancel it. Who cares, as long as you stop watching live TV and using BBC iPlayer

Frustrated76 · 29/05/2024 10:33

The lack of understanding here is astonishing. The BBC is one of this country's greatest soft power assets. It's revered all over the world and other countries are desperate to copy it. Attack and denigrate at your peril.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:33

trampoline123 · 29/05/2024 10:24

@jannier well, hard to know if it's been pushed out of the news for that reason, or if it's just not a new news story but definitely another reason to not like mainstream news.

There's numerous atrocities going on in the world, Congo etc that barely get a mention.

They just report what suits their narrative.

They are also fully captured by gender ideology. Calling rapists "she" etc. and their coverage of the Cass Report was reprehensible.

Mum1976Mum · 29/05/2024 10:35

We want to get rid of ours as we don’t have an aerial so don’t watch live tv and never watch BBC IPlayer. My 12 year old daughter has to use BBC Bitesize for school so we keep it just for that which seems ridiculous. What happens if we cancel but only an underage child uses BBC Bitesize?

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:36

Frustrated76 · 29/05/2024 10:33

The lack of understanding here is astonishing. The BBC is one of this country's greatest soft power assets. It's revered all over the world and other countries are desperate to copy it. Attack and denigrate at your peril.

Cobblers.
And also BOLLOCKS! 😂

Megifer · 29/05/2024 10:38

titbumwillypoo · 29/05/2024 10:17

Megifer · Today 09:40

This thread is about TV licence, I was just letting op know I've not had one for a while.
You're using a service that costs money but you don't think you should pay for it. How is that NOT theft?

I didn't say it wasn't theft? It is. Probably the only theft I'm ok with tbf, apart from taking an extra brown sugar packet at Costa occasionally to keep in my bag for work, oh and I sometimes take a few extra napkins from Greggs if I've got a cold and no tissues in my bag.

User171 · 29/05/2024 10:39

Lifestooshort71 · 29/05/2024 09:25

Was interested to know how low your bar was set

Life's too short to be worrying about a TV licence.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:40

PinedApple · 29/05/2024 08:53

@Blueglazzier yes they can do if you watch live tv and don't pay your licence. Apparently there are vans that drive around detecting tv signals from addresses that don't pay. Whether that's true or not I'm not sure. www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/detection-and-penalties-top5

Surely no one still believes this?

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:44

Lifestooshort71 · 29/05/2024 09:22

Do you drive with no licence as well or just watch TV without one?

Talk about a false equivalency. How many people will I kill or maim if I watch TV without a licence? Is there a TV watching test I need to take to gain this licence? Special TV watching lessons? 😂

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 29/05/2024 10:44

Megifer · 29/05/2024 09:22

It's not true (well im 99% sure it isnt). If it was they wouldn't need to send the 'inspectors' round to try and get in your home to check.

We had an inspector come two days after we moved in. He could see the TV from the hall way, and then I had to show him the TV licence. I think it must've had the previous address and he warned me to change it asap.

Genevieva · 29/05/2024 10:44

Mum1976Mum · 29/05/2024 10:35

We want to get rid of ours as we don’t have an aerial so don’t watch live tv and never watch BBC IPlayer. My 12 year old daughter has to use BBC Bitesize for school so we keep it just for that which seems ridiculous. What happens if we cancel but only an underage child uses BBC Bitesize?

The bbc website, including bbc bitesize, does not require a tv licence. Anyone can access it anywhere in the world.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 29/05/2024 10:45

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:44

Talk about a false equivalency. How many people will I kill or maim if I watch TV without a licence? Is there a TV watching test I need to take to gain this licence? Special TV watching lessons? 😂

It's about stealing and dishonesty, not about safety.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:51

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 29/05/2024 10:45

It's about stealing and dishonesty, not about safety.

So not the same as a driving licence - which is what I said.

It's not "stealing" to drive without a licence. It's illegal for other - arguably more important - reasons.

Hence - false equivalency.

Lellochip · 29/05/2024 10:51

MistyGreenAndBlue · 29/05/2024 10:40

Surely no one still believes this?

No but they must be catching people somehow - as a PP said, it's the most common (non-traffic related) offence women are convicted for