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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

UK TV licence

74 replies

forjustnow · 06/08/2024 13:05

Following on from an earlier discussion with a friend.

Do you have a TV licence (UK only)

UABU- yes
UANBU- no

OP posts:
WrigglyDonCat · 07/08/2024 07:03

Don't have one as don't really watch TV at all these days.

The modern broadcast world does show how ridiculous and illogical it is as a funding mechanism though.

For example a live broadcast on YT. Can't watch that. Come to it 5 mins late and set it back to the start of the broadcast - is that now legal? I'm watching the live broadcast in principal, but not actually up to the minute live.

Or take something like Talk Radio. I could listen live on the radio no problem. Put the same programme on YT as a live broadcast and suddenly it's not ok.

It's weird, illogical and simply doesn't sit in the modern world, but I can't see it changing with the latest group of no hopers in charge.

HotChocWine · 07/08/2024 07:04

We all watch via Netflix or other streaming services so dont have one
The only live TV we've watched recently is the Olympics coverage

Tumbleweed101 · 07/08/2024 07:13

I didn’t have one for years as I didn’t have a TV. I have got one now as I watch quite a bit on Iplayer but I only got a TV three or four years ago.

SpaceRaiders · 07/08/2024 07:19

Out of principle we haven’t had one for over 6 years. Dc have access to nearly every tv subscription app and rarely have we wanted to watch a BBC programme. Despite this they write ever more threatening letters, I just ignore and bin them.

OhmygodDont · 07/08/2024 07:20

Haven’t had one for years. We have Disney Netflix and prime. Don’t watch anything live.

WildFlowerBees · 07/08/2024 07:29

So someone peering through your windows is lawful not trespassing? and how do they prove that it's live tv and not on demand or catch up?

We have one but will be among the many who will be cancelling. Haven't watched live tv in a long time and I'll live without iPlayer it's not as if great tv has been made for some time.

OhmygodDont · 07/08/2024 07:42

WildFlowerBees · 07/08/2024 07:29

So someone peering through your windows is lawful not trespassing? and how do they prove that it's live tv and not on demand or catch up?

We have one but will be among the many who will be cancelling. Haven't watched live tv in a long time and I'll live without iPlayer it's not as if great tv has been made for some time.

They rely on you either slipping up, not knowing the actual laws and often getting you to sign paperwork that claims you know they visited which is actually paperwork to admit you where using a tv without licence.

There are people out there even my own family members who still think even just watching Disney plus requires a tv license. The types who despite not needing one pay via fear who if they ever did stop paying would likely just admit to watching tv even though it wasn’t live.

Like to see them peer through my windows though they really would be trespassing via climbing over walls to get to windows anywhere near my tv 🤣

Underlig · 07/08/2024 07:45

I have a tv licence. It’s worth it. I watch quite a bit of BBC and C4 particularly.

RampantIvy · 07/08/2024 11:58

It seems to be a badge of honour not to have a TV licence on MN.

IME people who "never" watch TV usually watch another screen.

If you feel strongly enough to not pay for one then don't watch any content that you require a licence for.

For me, it is good value for money, although I do object to paying for the obscene wages for Gary Linekar and the like.

Menstum · 07/08/2024 12:35

I have a licence but at £14 a month it's not one of the cheapest subscriptions I pay for the pleasure of viewing.

OonaStubbs · 08/08/2024 00:38

Why can't the BBC be a simple subscription service like Netflix, Prime or Crunchyroll etc? Why do they think they are "special"?

CiaDinnerout · 08/08/2024 01:06

no as dont watch tv live and only watch youtube on playstation / pc

Shakespeareandi · 08/08/2024 01:07

Nope, we don't. Don't watch BBC iplayer and never watch anything live. We stream the occasional movie on Netflix but very rarely watch tv at all.

Onceuponatimeinalandfaraway · 08/08/2024 01:13

Pineappleprep · 06/08/2024 14:20

I'd love to hear from anyone who hasn't got one. Do you have a TV or any devices that can stream? Do you watch live TV? Do you not pay for it because you don't watch BBC channels or don't want to fund them?

I think it's ridiculous that you're required to have one to watch ANY live television whether it's broadcast on BBC channels or not, but as well as live streaming from YouTube, Apps such as Netflix, C4 on demand, BBC iPlayer... etc

I've heard you also need one even if you don't watch live broadcasting, say for example you watch a series on Netflix, which has absolutely nothing to do with the BBC, you're still required to have one however I'm unsure how true this is.

I've wanted to stop ours for a few years but my partner says it isn't worth the risk

I haven’t had one in years. I have a tv and I stream not live stuff on it. I don’t watch live tv, I don’t watch live events in you tube, Amazon or anywhere and I don’t use iPlayer though I can’t get that app off the tv.
I legitimately don’t need a tv license and as I have nothing to hide when they write/email asking me to declare not needing one I do so. If an inspector comes knocking I am polite, I answer all their questions, in the past when the tv didn’t work and wasn’t even plugged in I attempted to find the plug to show it didn’t work. Last time I showed them I didn’t have the tv stations tuned in and confirmed I didn’t use iPlayer or watch any live events and he was fine with that.

people are rude to them for no reason, they’re merely doing a job and if you actually don’t need a license then there’s no reason to refuse them entry or refuse to answer the questions in my opinion. They’re always surprised when I don’t tell them to dock off as soon as they identify themselves.

DancingLions · 08/08/2024 10:04

They rely on you either slipping up, not knowing the actual laws and often getting you to sign paperwork that claims you know they visited which is actually paperwork to admit you where using a tv without licence

This is the important part. If you don't sign the paperwork they can't take you to Court. Doesn't matter what they've seen through the window. Detector vans don't exist. The people who go to Court are the ones that don't realise this.

Gogogo12345 · 14/08/2024 11:34

Pineappleprep · 06/08/2024 14:20

I'd love to hear from anyone who hasn't got one. Do you have a TV or any devices that can stream? Do you watch live TV? Do you not pay for it because you don't watch BBC channels or don't want to fund them?

I think it's ridiculous that you're required to have one to watch ANY live television whether it's broadcast on BBC channels or not, but as well as live streaming from YouTube, Apps such as Netflix, C4 on demand, BBC iPlayer... etc

I've heard you also need one even if you don't watch live broadcasting, say for example you watch a series on Netflix, which has absolutely nothing to do with the BBC, you're still required to have one however I'm unsure how true this is.

I've wanted to stop ours for a few years but my partner says it isn't worth the risk

I just don't watch or record any live TV and don't use iPlayer so don't need a lucence

Feelingstrange2 · 14/08/2024 11:38

Yes, we do.

Rarely watch BBC but we do occasionally.

There's also the query over live TV which seems a bit complicated so we will keep the licence so we don't fall foul of that rule. For example, we watched the Olympics on Eurosport on Disney plus because it had a better choice of sports being covered. I assume that falls under the live TV rule?

OonaStubbs · 14/08/2024 16:58

The whole thing is ridiculous and it's embarrassing that it still exists in 2024.

RampantIvy · 14/08/2024 18:06

OonaStubbs · 14/08/2024 16:58

The whole thing is ridiculous and it's embarrassing that it still exists in 2024.

I agree that it is an outmoded method of payment. I enjoy watching TV and am happy to pay for either a licence or by subscription.

sanityisamyth · 14/08/2024 18:11

Can't vote as on app but I have a tv licence as I watch iPlayer a lot.

CornucopiaTVLR · 09/09/2024 21:55

I don't have a Licence, and haven't had one for a long time. The final straw was the Newsnight/Savile scandal, which shows how long ago it was.

I have a TV in one room, and a large screen monitor in another room. They are both set up for streaming, and no TV broadcasts or iPlayer are ever viewed.

Most of my content comes from Youtube, which I have a paid subscription to, so no adverts. It also provides non-live programs from C4 archive ad-free, too, which is quite handy. I also watch some non-live programs on U (UKTV Player), which is funded by ads.

I've not had any TV Licensing salespeople here, although it's probably rural enough to be a bit of a waste of their time. If they did call, I'd probably ignore them via my video doorbell (which is allowed).

Baconrollage · 10/09/2024 06:24

No, I don't. My TV doesn't even have an aerial going into it, we have no sky boxes or anything of that sort - so if you switch on my TV you get no channels. We use it as a screen for gaming, or for DVDS. There are no channels hooked up whatsoever.

And no, I don't watch live/catch up online. I just watch Youtube, or DVD's that go into my laptop, if I want to watch something.

I don't miss telly channels, genuinely. My ADHD brain makes it nigh on impossible to sit through a movie in one sitting, let alone a programme on the TV with umpteen adverts going on during it. When I've been house sitting for family, I've switched the telly on and before I know it I'm up off doing something else. It does my bloody nut in - I find it honestly so beyond boring. That's not to bash people who do watch TV, to each our own. Just it's not for me - I don't want it, so don't use it, so I've no need to have checks done in my home, as I know I'm not doing anything wrong, simple as really. If I did use it, yes I'd pay for a license, just to give me peace of mind really.

Funnily enough had the TV license people at our door just recently - one of only two times they've been (or managed to actually call when we're home) in about ten years. Had gazillions of letters though - they just go straight in the bin.

First time they called and told me they were from TV licensing, I told them I have no need for their services thank you - they asked if I had TV. I told them Nope, I have a screen, with no channels or anything hooked up as I use it for gaming. She told me 'I'll just have to come in and check so I can let them know'. My response was 'No you don't have to do anything of the sort thank you, I don't allow strangers access to my home just because they say so'. She said Ok and off she went. That was oooh, about 5 years ago now?

Today she got my OH. Same sort of deal, plus we now have a rescue dog that is extremely nervous of strangers and it sets her on edge (she is unpredictable), so simply said - 'Nah you can't come in, got a rescue dog here that wouldn't be reacting very well' (we could shut her away in a genuine emergency, though she doesn't like it - this isn't an emergency so why should we..) so when she realised she wasn't getting into our home, said to my OH 'I'll just take your details, what's your first initial?' - his response was 'No thanks, I'm not comfortable giving my personal details out to strangers at my door'. She told him to notify online we don't need one, but they'd still come out and check.

We don't notify them online, because we don't agree with a body of which we don't use their services nor wish to, demanding access to our home, to check we're telling the truth, check our devices, and enforcing on our privacy. A wish for privacy does not breaking the law make.

We're both times been polite but very firm. This works quite well I've found.

DockLeafDandelion · 10/09/2024 07:31

If you watch iPlayer or any BBC content then you absolutely should have a licence. Someone has to pay for all the content to be made - and it’s us.

Why can't the BBC be a simple subscription service

The country needs a reliable, (more or less) unbiased source of news and information.

Gogogo12345 · 10/09/2024 08:34

DockLeafDandelion · 10/09/2024 07:31

If you watch iPlayer or any BBC content then you absolutely should have a licence. Someone has to pay for all the content to be made - and it’s us.

Why can't the BBC be a simple subscription service

The country needs a reliable, (more or less) unbiased source of news and information.

And you consider theBBC is unbiased?

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