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Original poster

TV License. Who pays it?

274 replies

Tulipsroses · 09/12/2023 10:07

Judging by the variety and quality of the streaming services I always ask my self where are the people that actually pay for TV license? I have never paid non of my friends pay. It is obvious that BBC have lost this game and is sticking to the licence fees as a lifebuoy.

OP posts:
FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 09/12/2023 11:43

tomatoontoast · 09/12/2023 10:25

It can be funded by everyone else. I won't be paying the fee and I'll continue watching.

Show quote history

Leaving aside the ethically dubious part of that standpoint, how do you think it's sustainable if everybody said and did the same as you?

It's like having a supermarket where nobody/only a minority ever bothers to pay anymore, as shoplifting is so easy to get away with and just walks out with their goods - and then complaining when the shop eventually closes down and ceases trading.

TheShellBeach · 09/12/2023 11:46

Doubleespresso33 · 09/12/2023 11:41

I actually find it entertaining how upset people get about people who don’t pay for a tv licence 😅 it’s such a non issue

Yes.

DH thinks we should pay it. I disagree. I don't think it's worth falling out over though, so we pay it.

We didn't for about eighteen years though.
🤣🤣

EmmaGrundyForPM · 09/12/2023 11:51

mynameiscalypso · 09/12/2023 10:36

I am not a fan of the attitude that it's okay to break the law because you don't think you're going to get caught.

This.

Would you boast about shoplifting? What's the difference?

Personally I think the BBC offers amazing value for money. I watch the news most evenings, I listen to Radio 4 daily, and I enjoy lots of their programming. So I pay for it.

SittingAtThatHouse · 09/12/2023 11:52

We haven’t paid it for years, don’t know many who do.

JennyGracexx · 09/12/2023 11:52

Question- do you need to pay the licence fee if you watch live TV full stop, or only if you watch BBC?

Literally all we watch on live TV is coronation st on ITV

LylaLee · 09/12/2023 11:53

BBC has kids shows on TV with no adverts. That's worth funding. YOU might have all the streaming channels, but I'm happy to pay 5p or whatever so that a household without all that can have kids shows without advertising.

TheShellBeach · 09/12/2023 11:56

JennyGracexx · 09/12/2023 11:52

Question- do you need to pay the licence fee if you watch live TV full stop, or only if you watch BBC?

Literally all we watch on live TV is coronation st on ITV

BBC only.

Cazaletto · 09/12/2023 11:58

The cost of living has had a big impact on advertising spend at the moment, and as a result there are fewer tv programmes being made.

When the licence fee is gone and you are more reliant on content funded by advertising, who will be making programmes representing the whole of the UK? For all communities? Who will fund investigative journalism into uncomfortable stories? Or impartial reporting on local issues, that might not come with a blockbuster audience but are nonetheless essential to how we understand life in the UK?

The BBC has clearly lost a lot of connection with some people on this thread, and they need to sort that out. But I pay the licence fee because I think it’s a crucial part of how we function as a nation. And also it’s cheap as chips compared to the streamers.

Flopsythebunny · 09/12/2023 12:00

tomatoontoast · 09/12/2023 10:25

It can be funded by everyone else. I won't be paying the fee and I'll continue watching.

Show quote history

Then you are a thief

JennyGracexx · 09/12/2023 12:01

@TheShellBeach

Thanks for that, I looked on the website and found this, so I'm confused Confused

"Not covered by a TV Licence? You are breaking the law if you:

  •   <strong>*watch or record TV on any channel via any TV service</strong> (e.g. Sky, Virgin, Freeview, Freesat)

  •   <strong>*watch live on streaming services</strong> (e.g. ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Sky Go)

  •   <strong>*use BBC iPlayer</strong>.*

This applies to any device, including a TV, computer, laptop, phone, tablet, games console or digital box."

Ihateslugs · 09/12/2023 12:02

I pay it as I only watch the regular tv channels, I don’t pay for any of the streaming platforms. I tend to record a lot of programmes as I don’t have enough spare time to watch everything I want to live. So I have no need to pay extra for even more channels!

Might be an age related thing as I’m probably older than most people here and am used to only having a few tv channels available!

SeparatedAndFree · 09/12/2023 12:02

Don't pay and haven't in years, don't agree with it and don't value the BBC.

Did get letters threatening saying we were breaking English law which was amusing as I am not on England 😂

TheGhostOfTheOpera · 09/12/2023 12:02

I haven’t had a TV and therefore haven’t paid a TV licence fir more than 15 years.
At the start, I use to receive letters to confirm I still didn’t need it. Not anymore. They’ve given up 😂😂

Reasons to stop watching TV (even 15 years ago)

  • nothing worth watching
  • plenty available streaming
  • No advert!!
Tbh nowadays, if I ever end up somewhere with a TV (hotel, my parents), it simply reinforce my decision. Whatever there is is just crap.
Motnight · 09/12/2023 12:04

Why would anyone think that it's ok to not pay for a service that they are using?

RampantIvy · 09/12/2023 12:05

If the BBC changed to subscription only I would still pay. Some of my favourite programmes were produced by the BBC. A lot of them pop up years later on other Freeview channels like Dave, Drama etc.

CrapBucket · 09/12/2023 12:06

I pay it, I’m too scared and honest not to. Plus it’s a handy proof of ID.

Thelittleweasel · 09/12/2023 12:06

@Tulipsroses

It is a myth that people do not get prosecuted! The system is - in short - that a person calls at the house [where no licence is on computer file] and asks about it and whether they may inspect. The houseowner may - but does not have to - allow access. If they do not then licensing goes away and gets a warrant ["reasonable suspicion"]. On return they enter. If a TV licence is needed they take court proceedings. This happened to a [totally disorganised] friend. At the first hearing the option was given to pay the arrears. He did not do so and was later fined. He did not pay the fine and was taken to Wormwood Scrubs!

I seem to recall that failing to pay TV licence fine and Council Tax are the two occasions where failure to pay [usually a civil matter] is a criminal matter for which - as a last resort - there is imprisonment.

TheGhostOfTheOpera · 09/12/2023 12:07

Cazaletto · 09/12/2023 11:58

The cost of living has had a big impact on advertising spend at the moment, and as a result there are fewer tv programmes being made.

When the licence fee is gone and you are more reliant on content funded by advertising, who will be making programmes representing the whole of the UK? For all communities? Who will fund investigative journalism into uncomfortable stories? Or impartial reporting on local issues, that might not come with a blockbuster audience but are nonetheless essential to how we understand life in the UK?

The BBC has clearly lost a lot of connection with some people on this thread, and they need to sort that out. But I pay the licence fee because I think it’s a crucial part of how we function as a nation. And also it’s cheap as chips compared to the streamers.

The Tv licence is to fund the BBC, and just the BBC.

Other Chanel’s like Chanel 4 are able to 1- produce programs fir whole communities and 2- do proper investigative journalism. Actually they do much better than the BBC on that front nowadays.

Unfortunately, since tte Tories have decided they can put pressure on the BBC to cover stories ‘their way’, there isn’t such as thing as impartiality with the BBC.
Worth remembering when watching news from them too.

RedRobyn2021 · 09/12/2023 12:08

I pay it, I'm thinking of stopping though as we absolutely never watch live television and I think it's really expensive when you compare it to what we pay for Netflix/prime/disney

Theathy · 09/12/2023 12:09

I haven’t for years now, I think 2011ish, I just use streaming services etc and don’t miss it.

TheGhostOfTheOpera · 09/12/2023 12:11

@Thelittleweasel they did visit me one year, maybe a year into me saying we didn’t need the TV licence.

They asked to come in, saw a computer screen where the TV would normally sit (and a really old type too, even by the standards 15 years ago) and went out again. 😂😂 Never heard from them again bar the occasional letter.

lljkk · 09/12/2023 12:14

Me, I pay. I luffs BBC Radio, website, weather App. Some BBC TV is good too.

RachelSTG · 09/12/2023 12:14

Why don't they give log ins then for people who pay, then the only way you can access it is if you are fully up to date with payments.

peanutbutter00 · 09/12/2023 12:17

I used to pay it, this year we have cancelled it and de-tuned our TV as we really only watch Netflix and Disney+ now. Couldn't justify paying for something we barely watch

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 09/12/2023 12:18

tomatoontoast · 09/12/2023 10:10

Me, nor any of my friends have paid it since we were at Uni 10 years ago. We all have our own houses now.

I do laugh at how seriously other people take it though. As far as I'm concerned it's a completely optional fee depending on how brave you are.

I also watch the BBC and use it in some capacity several times a week.

That's just stealing.

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