AIBU to think I don’t need a TV aerial any more?

[AlleyRose]

I only really watch Netflix and catch up tv using apps built in to the TV. I realised today that I probably don’t need a TV aerial anymore but I’m not sure if I’m missing something?

Cancelled my TV licence so never watch live TV.

So,
YANBU - Nope. You don’t need it. Get rid.
YABU - Of course you still need a TV aerial.

My aerial hasn’t worked since 2020. It’s fine.

But check again about your TV licence situation. I’m not sure it’s just live TV. IPlayer even on catch up needs one.

I’ve not had one since our house was built 3 years ago. You still need a tv licence though.

I haven't had a TV aerial since 2021. I've not missed it :)

Never had one. No issue at all. Everything I watch is on an app

We’ve never used the aerial socket in our house - moved in 2020.

Thank you, yes you’re right. I don’t watch iplayer or any live tv 🙂

This is great news. The bloody pigeons tsp dance on it every morning at about 4am. If I don’t need it I’m going to get rid of it! Thinking about it, I don’t think the new builds in the village have them at all. I’ve have a nosy tomorrow when I’m out and about!

if they had them, they’d be inside the loft not on the outside.

Haven’t had one for years. There was talk of turning off the signal for it a few years ago but it was decided it would negatively affect the elderly. I remember reading about it in the news. I do have a TV licence though. I believe in supporting the BBC. I’m probably clinging to an ideal of independent journalism that doesn’t exist anymore.

Really? Well you learn something new every day!

I hear you - but for me, BBC and independent don’t belong in the same sentence any more 😬

Had no idea ours wasn’t connected on moving in over 20 years ago. I’ve never felt the lack, what with Sky and now all the streaming services.

I don’t have an Arial as I have Sky

You’re probably right. But I’m still clinging to the idea that the Loch Ness monster is real, so I’m not always rational. I do think the concerns about the elderly are valid. I’ve got neighbours in their nineties who don’t have internet or mobile phones and I think still count on old fashioned tech so I feel like I’m supporting them in keeping it going. My DH would have got rid of our landline phone years ago but I’ve insisted that we keep paying for it so that it’s easier for my mum to call. Once my parents are no longer with us we’ll enter the modern world.

Haven't had a TV aerial since we moved into our house 17 years ago. Had Sky at first, then got rid of that over 10 years ago and just stream now.

Great news until your internet connection goes.

Ours broke a couple of years ago and I haven't missed it but I have Sky, Sky went down last night so I was left with just the apps which are quite irritating to use, you can't just change channels easily, I wouldn't find it very convenient if I had no Sky and no aerial

Yes I’ve recently got rid of Sky too. Between that and the tv licence I’m quids in!

Just see you cancelled the licence so can't use the aerial anyway, won't it cost money though to have it removed, we just cut the wire off and clipped it to the house when it broke, it's still on the roof as someone would have to remove it.

YANBU – If you never watch live TV or use Freeview, and you’re sticking to Netflix and catch-up apps, then the aerial is pretty much redundant. Loads of people are doing exactly the same – streaming everything on-demand. As long as you're not watching anything live (even via apps), you’re not missing out by ditching the aerial.

Analogue TV ended in 2012

It is all digital TV in UK now

Our TV aerial hasn't worked for years. We watch everything on a Firestick - either streaming services or the BBC on iplayer (which you can watch live for things like sport).

But we have always maintained our TV licence because we're still watching TV - it's nothing to do with whether or not you have an aerial.

Agree. The TV licence is cheap, we should support the BBC and I listen to BBC radio all day and every day..... I'd hate to lose the radio service.

A person has never needed a BBC licence to listen to the radio
Although you may need one if you run a commercial business

Example
Old cars had a radio, but you do not need a BBC licence to listen

That's right — a TV licence is only required for watching or recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer. Listening to the radio, including BBC Radio stations, doesn't require a licence for personal use. However, businesses might need a licence if they play radio publicly, due to music licensing, not the BBC.