Why do I have to pay double for tv licence in the first year?

[fishhavefeelingstoo]

Ok, I know it's only for 6 months, but for me £25 a month is quite a lot. Plus I have read that it is nearly impossible to cancel once you've signed up.

I've also no idea about connecting an aerial, and I don't think I have an aerial cable. I live in a block of flats so presume there'll be an aerial??

Since separating from my husband I've not bothered because I just watched DVDs, but now I'd like to watch Strictly, but was shocked when I looked online to find I have to pay double each month for 6 months.

Yes that's what I've read too. I don't want to sign up and then find I actually am really struggling and not be able to cancel and get any overpayments back.

If you don’t like it, don’t pay it and don’t watch Strictly it’s not hard. Commercial adverts are awful and I agree with Lonicera, I’m glad the BBC don’t have them.

"But the one thing I want to watch is on BBC and I can't watch it without a licence, even on catchup."

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Pay it or don't. Watch it or don't.

Don't you need a tv licence to watch any love tv, Not just bbc?

I'd much rather have adverts than a tv licence. I rarely watch anything live anyway, so can forward through adverts. Also, I quite like the adverts as a good time to go to the loo or get a drink.

*live Not love

Don't you need a tv licence to watch any love tv, Not just bbc?

Yes, however you can watch any non olive content except for BBC without. So you can not have a TV licence and still watch ITV/C4/other providers content via the various catch up services.

Yes but anything other than the BBC toy can watch on catchup without a licence.

It's the fact it's £25 a month when I'll probably watch one programme a week .... Why does it have to be in arrears and why for six months? I'd pay double for the first month so that I've paid a month up front, but SIX months ...????

Damn auto correct ... you can watch ... !

But the one thing I want to watch is on BBC and I can't watch it without a licence, even on catchup.

Well then you have to pay, it is not going to to made for free.

There are hundreds of channels with adverts and just a few without. I don't think we need to lose the few refuges from constant adverts, product placements and sponsorships.

But double each month for six months ...??

Had to go back and check I'd actually put that in the title as people seem to be missing the point here ...

Visit a friend and watch strictly there.

Bring wine so you're not a CF.

Sadly I have no friends nearby I could watch it with but good suggestion, thanks.

Its not that hard to cancel but they will check, if you have a tv or box capable of recieving BBC TV channels then you need to pay.

I was moving out of my house during the recession but was struggling to sell. I moved my TV and VCR out before I cancelled the TV licence.

I had 2 visitation cards through the door from the TV licence people. ie TV licence people were here at 10am on Saturday .... unable to gain access.

There are ways and illegal means to watch live tv without a license but you do have to pay upfront for it.

I don’t mind the license fee - line of duty, killing eve, the bodyguard, Sherlock have all been worth the license fee alone

It's always been this way, 6 months in advance, 6 months in arrears. I couldn't afford £25 a month for the first 6 months.

I set mine up quarterly instead. It's something like £36 for a quarter, that you pay first, then every 3 months. I had it worked out on my spreadsheet so the money each month was accounted for and I was never taken by surprise.

This was 20 yrs ago and I've never bothered to switch it.

Just don't get one...

For everyone who is happy for the BBC to become a commercial channel there are hundreds of others who prefer it as it is. I don't want for example, Seven Sea's Omega 3 vitamins sponsoring University Challenge or Gaviscon, proud sponsors of Masterchef.

You have some choices......put up and shut up (next time read the T&C's before committing yourself financially) and enjoy Strictly and It Takes Two and all the other services the BBC brings us (films, radio, Bitesize, good food recipes on line etc)

Don't watch Strictly - the world won't end. Follow them on Insta, FB and Twitter, you'll get to see the dances one way or another.

Watch illegally - but you may end up paying more if taken to Court.

But mostly, stop moaning - you agreed to the T&C's because you wanted to watch Strictly.

It's the same as everyone pays.

TV licence by direct debit has always been this way.

You can pay weekly via your debit card. It's the same amount of money. My TV licence is renewed on January 1st every year. You can also get a TV licence payment card and pay weekly at a post office/paypoint.

At a cost of £150 per year, it's not that expensive. However, it is one levy along with council tax that means if you repeatedly watch TV without one, you can be sent to prison.

It's an easy one this. Don't watch live TV and you don't have to pay. Or pay. There's plenty of ways in which it's affordable.

I think the BBC is value for money and I don't want it to have adverts.