TV license officers

[vennomm]

So I've received a snotty letter saying at tv license officer is going to be visiting my property. I literally only watch Netflix and Amazon prime as my husband and I have only just moved here from the states and don't know any different from Netflix and prime with travelling so much. Is there any way we can prove that we only watch these two streaming services? Our TV set isn't even connected to the aerial so I'm puzzled on what to do and to dodge the dreaded £1000 fine!

You think it's wrong that TV Licensing offer the official guidance on when you do and do not need a licence and that if you do not need one according to their own information that you should pay anyway just because everyone else does? It's not some moral code. The rules are clear on when you do or do not need one. It is idiotic to pay for one if you do not need one.

@FortunaMajor

i just think it is hard to imagine people don’t tune it in.
and well I just do t agree
is that ok???

You can think what you like, but spreading misinformation is also 'not right'.

By not buying a licence if she doesn't need one the OP is 'following the rules' of the country she is living in. The rules set out by TV Licensing themselves.

Not really, no. You think people should be forced to pay even if they don't use the service, really? Many people, particularly the younger generation genuinely don't watch live TV. Instead they will typically watch bits and pieces on YouTube or binge watch a series on Netflix or Disney +. That's what DD and most of her friends do. Fact. The days of the TV licence are numbered.

We have a smart TV but don't watch live TV on it. Only Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and recorded Sky shows. Most terrestrial TV is godawful. I cancelled my license recently. I'm already getting letters but they go straight into the bin. If the enforcement people turn up I'll ask for a warrant. They puff up their chests more nowadays because the world has moved on, but the laws and regulations haven't, and there's less money coming in.

If they turn up at your door you are not obliged to talk to them, and they have no right of entry to your home. Easiest thing is don’t answer the door.

@Worriedaboutethics why would you pay for something you don't use? It's like taking out a gym membership then never going!

TV licensing pays for a specific service in the UK and the revenues are important.

Personally I value things like BBC Radio and the BBC news website as well as iplayer so will happily pay my license fee.

I have no problem with people like the op who don’t use BBC TV not to pay for a license. But why would you not cooperate with the people trying to do their job and check that people aren’t illegally watching? The belligerent attitude of some on here to the visiting officers etc seems rather unnecessary.

Some people don’t watch live TV or iplayer ffs, how rude to assume that everyone lives their life like you do.

I have no problem with people like the op who don’t use BBC TV not to pay for a license. But why would you not cooperate with the people trying to do their job and check that people aren’t illegally watching?

Because why should you let a stranger into your house when you’ve done nothing wrong? These people don’t have any power without a warrant. They don’t have any way to check who needs a license and who doesn’t. Which is why people like the OP are getting hassle.

Or paying for Netflix, Prime, and every other streaming service despite not watching them. TV licence should be seen as no different to Netflix.

I have no problem with people like the op who don’t use BBC TV not to pay for a license. But why would you not cooperate with the people trying to do their job and check that people aren’t illegally watching?

I would say 'no thank you' at the door. I don't use their service and therefore do not wish to subscribe. I would let someone in with a warrant. That is cooperating in my view. I would not let other salespeople in my home unless I wanted to buy their product, they are just 'trying to do their job' too.

I don't have a TV licence and haven't for the past 3 years I've been living with my boyfriend. They came to my house once, tried asking me questions to put me off and make me admit to using tv. ie 'did you watch such a such thing last night' I just kept replying sorry we only use Netflix and YouTube. Didn't see them again after that.

'I just do t agree'.

Do you struggle with comprehension? You don't seem to understand who is targeted by the BBC fee, or the fact that increasing volumes of people don't want or need a TV for anything other than Netflix etc or gaming.
You could try to figure that out, instead of embarrassing yourself?

This just tells me that some people who still watch BBC have little imagination if they cannot imagine people use different entertainment.

I don’t tune in at all. I don’t have satellite, cable tv or even an aerial. When the local authority updated the aerial several years ago I asked for it not to be in my home.
There are loads of alternatives to watching live tv.

TV licence officers are essentially salesman from Capita working on commission - they are not the BBC.
You just say 'no thanks' and close the door - the same as you would with any other doorstep salesman.

They have no right to question you, or come in your house.
The only time that could happen is if they obtain a warrant signed by a judge - (for which they need evidence).- it's incredibly rare for that to happen.

watch this scenario where a TV licence officer turned up with a warrant from a magistrate, and a couple of police officers in tow. He knew his legal rights and was still able to deny entry and make them all look rather foolish ...

Sorry, links don't seem to be working!
Look up ChilliJonCarne on Youtube.

and 'howardfrancis tv licence' on Youtube for the second.

I had then turn upat mine a couple of weeks after i moved in.. i waited a couple of weeks to connect sky so u didn't pay part a month Tv licience ..youcan see my Tv from front door.. bob the builder was on dvd. He left no issue when u explained

You've had mostly good advice OP, you don't need a tv licence and if the tv licensing agents do show up don't let them in they can't be trusted. When my Dh had his own place they came he didn't have an Ariel he never watched tv, he showed this to the visiting agent who then went back and told tv licensing he had seen Dh watching live tv so they can't be trusted. This was years ago but I doubt things have changed.

Interesting thread.

I pay the licence at my current address but these days I never watch anything anymore, instead I use internet streaming so when I move I will cancel my licence.

BBC were appalling during Covid in the way they just became a government mouthpiece and I also hate the fact that they avoid mentioning the Brexit disaster in their news items.

I am no longer willing to pay for their propaganda.

If I were to decide not to pay anymore, hence not to watch anything under licence, what should I be careful about? Not to press bbc iPlayer accidentally on my phone or smart tv? We really do not watch anything on tv. We watch YouTube, Netflix, Disney plus, prime etc, depends on what we want to pay that particular month. I’m tired to pay for something I don’t use year after year. But I’m concerned on being caught doing something I don’t intend. For example, accidentally pressing something on remote control etc. Sorry I know I sound silly, but how to avoid using the service accidentally?

That’s why I put ‘broadcast TV’ in quotes

Something broadcast can be different from the definition ‘broadcast’ relating to broadcast television under regulation of the broadcasting act and under the licence rules.

At about 7 minutes he gives reference to the difference between types of live streaming :

But why would you not cooperate with the people trying to do their job and check that people aren’t illegally watching?

because why should I have people sending threatening letters, bullying me into believing I’m doing something wrong when I don’t have a TV set in the house.

This had just happened and I told my dds not to answer the door regardless of who they said they were

Eventually I wrote a letter, which

“withdrawn their implied right of access”

I didn’t give my name and they wrote me one more letter implying I was guilty and they’d catch me out

that was back in 2010 and they’ve not contacted me since

They're not coming don't worry