Why the F should I tell BBC every year that I don’t watch TV ?

[LadyGillingham]

Why can’t they upgrade their subscriptions/licencing model like Netflix etc ?

If you look at BBC corporation’s ownership, majority stakeholders are private Ltd companies and individuals. Why the f are they entitled to demand subscription fees from me for services I don’t use!

The language in the emails is quite strong, I’m sure a lot of senior citizens just pay to not get into trouble. That’s extortion!

Exactly!

@SushiForMe its not the same scenario though is it ? The BBC just need to put up a paywall, they don’t even ask for the licence number on the iPlayer, they basically refuse to invest anything in updating their model and stubbornly are wasting millions on their stupid enforcement strategy.

Not for me and a lot of my friends. We enjoy Netflix.

The TV license is for BBC, C4, ITV, not just for BBC. So if you have a TV you can't watch any live TV without one. C4 and ITV don't enforce it as they get revenue from ads.

What on earth are you on about, now I have a narrative? I didn't start this thread. I never said there was a need to discuss. This is a discussion forum, someone started a thread and I contributed my experience. No paranoia, do you want to see screenshots of the letter threatening to turn up on my son's birthday? Do you not believe one of their heavies jammed his foot in my door preventing me closing it when I was home alone with a baby?
Do you think all the other posters are lying?
We're not really talking about viewpoints here, we're talking about the tactics that the BBC DO employ. There's no dispute that they send threatening letters and men to peoples doors just because they have the audacity to not use their service.

Sorry, that is Incorrect information. The licence is for watching LIVE TV on any channel,as it is being broadcast and their iPlayer, for catch up on any other channel and streaming you do not require a licence

I would be very happy with a subscription service if, like Netflix et al, I was able to use iplayer and the radio website abroad.

I don't get your question. Nobody is stopping you from paying for the licence and watching the BBC or showing your grandson BBC programmes.

Very nice too. Would be no good, however, for my Mum, who is 92 and doesn't have dementia, but is very deaf, as she can't hear music and finds conversation very difficult. She has significant mobility issues so is housebound unless someone gives her a lift. The TV is an absolute godsend for her as she can follow what's happening with the subtitles.

There was a point when TV licences were free for all very old people, but they aren't now unless you're over 75 and get Pension Credit, or are registered blind or are in a care home.

It costs £174.50 a year. I've no idea what Netflix, Apple TV etc cost per month as we don't have any of them. You don't need a licence to listen to BBC radio but as I listen to a great deal of that I would pay the licence fee for that alone. As it is I think we get very good value out of it.

In your opinion,it's absolutely not worth the money if you don't enjoy the content it produces.

Yep. It doesn’t mean people can’t opt out of all
that.

I dont tell anyone. I don't watch BBC, I don't need a license, I don't have one. I bin all letters and I just refuse entry into my house when they send this huge bald muscle bouncer types around to intimate and bully you into letting them in. They usually leave when you threaten to ring police. I haven't had one around in a while though. and I ignore all correspondence. The system is nuts that I need to evidence I don't need a licence. Imagine, we all had our houses searched to prove we don't need gun license for example.

I just had to do this for my business.... effectively they are suggesting I should have a licence if a customer watches the BBC in my business premises on their own device and does not have a TV licence at home. So Joe Bloggs, sitting in my shop waiting for his other half to try something on is watching the BBC on his mobile....they are telling me need a TV licence for this.....

I confirmed by a series of questions that I did not watch the BBC or any other TV on premises. I confirmed noone on premises with a plugged in device did this. I did not confirm that a random Joe Bloggs in my shop might be watching the BBC on his mobile without a TV licence at home, after all how could I know?. This was the result of the questionnaire;

"You need a TV Licence
Based on your answers, you need to be covered by a TV Licence."

Except by their own rules it is Joe Bloggs that would be prosecuted not me.

I definitely don't need a TV licence in my shop - I have one at home.

Yep. Just think about how many trees have been cut down to make paper for these letters, so they can scare vulnerable people into paying for something that is not legally required. Surely it would be more environmentally friendly of them to just send an email.

@kirbykirby why should I give them an ‘in’ to my email address? F**k that !

Its content covers a vast array of things though so how can you say you don’t enjoy it?! If you’re interested in nature, there’s world class documentaries, drama is the same, kids tv etc etc. what do you watch on other channels?

Which wouldn’t be able to exist without buying content from other channels including the BBC.

Now that we have the option to subscribe to other broadcasters' output, there may well be a case for reviewing how our national broadcaster is funded. I agree with @Rosesfornoses that the BBC produces some really valuable stuff which commercial profit-driven broadcasters wouldn't do. If the licence fee model isn't working there should be some alternative put in place to ensure that children do have higher quality programmes and all the educational resources the BBC produces. Same goes for much of the radio output, BBC4 and the archive material.

National geographic is the absolute best natural history channel. Someone will mention the ancient ‘life on earth’ soon its like BBC bingo

Yep - even more revenue for their overpaid staff and ‘ talent’

I don’t watch tv, so it is a complete waste of money for me.

Not everyone watches television!

They absolutely would if your were watching illegally. They clamped down on login sharing and would go further if people tried to get round the rules. Sky tv literally do it?

See Zoe has had a pay decrease or is she only part time now ?

It’s not compulsory to like BBC content or watch even.

Netflix and Sky don't assume that you are watching them illegally unless you can prove otherwise.

The BBC should just be shut down. It is a stupid anachronism in the modern media landscape.