TV Licence

[NIK]

After thinking about it for some time I finally cancelled my tv licence in July after the football finished.
I must say I have not missed it one iota. Rather like punting!
I have been planning to join Netflix, but I have so many dvd box sets to work though again, and in some cases for a third time I have not got around to that yet. Also More4 has loads of material.

I know many on here do not have a tv licence. How have you gone on? I initiallly received letters despite cancelling on line. I phoned them and cancelled that way and received a refund.
Yesterday I received the predicted threatening letter saying if I don't buy a licence I may be liable to prosecution and if I don't get one by 22 of this month they will send the enforcement division around.

I phoned them again. I was already annoyed by the letter, and having suffered the tedious and patronising options you get everywhere these days and then being cut off I was not in the best of moods when I got through. Consequently I ranted at the woman who started ranting back. I told her that I was aware many people might not know when they need a licence but I did. She interrupted that she wasn't interested in other people but only if I knew and she needed to ask ask me questions. I told her I had pulled the receiver out and had no intentuon of watching live tv again or recording live tv. This is true, although I have an ariel cable I can honestly say I have not beem remotely tempted to plug it in again. I think I'd sonner start punting first!
Anyway she confirmed I would definitely be getting a visit from the enforcers. I said bring it on.
Have others endured this bollocks? I checked on the Money Saving Site and apparenly this attitude is common.
They even try to scare you on the envelope with the message 'some things just aren't worth it.'

I think in an allegedly liberal democratic society (hah!  ) the behaviour of the tv licensing people is disgusting. The threat to knock on your door unannouced at any time up to 9pm (she informed me) and inspect your tv equipment should not be allowed. She also said it doesn't go to the BBC but the government. Despite her bollocks it ultimately goes to the BBC. I hope Lineker and his ilk sleep easy at night as they count their millions funded from bullying the poor.

Has anyone received a vist from the enforcers? And what do they do? Are they allowed to search your property for ariel cables? I would be tempted to ask them if they enjoy their job. It must be like being a traffic warden. Only at least traffic wardens do something relatively useful.

[Matrix]

I haven't had one since 1996. The best policy is not to engage with them whatsoever. Completely Ignore them.  I've never had anything more than their shitty letters and even those have stopped now.


If you're still worried, watch a few videos on youtube.  There are guys that know how to deal with them, but I still strongly advise ignoring them altogether.

[ulstersubbie]

I haven't had one since 1996. The best policy is not to engage with them whatsoever. Completely Ignore them.  I've never had anything more than their shitty letters and even those have stopped now.


If you're still worried, watch a few videos on youtube.  There are guys that know how to deal with them, but I still strongly advise ignoring them altogether.

+1

[lostandfound]

Yes - just ignore.

I haven't owned a TV for 20 years. I got annoyed with iPlayer because it seemed whenever there was a live event I wanted to watch like some footie match it was not available to watch live on iPlayer. What was I paying the licence fee for? So I stopped.

I was already subscribed to Prime and Netflix and YouTube has excellent informational and news content if you look for it.

IMO the pursuit of the poor and elderly over this issue does not cast the BBC in a good light.

[Markus]

Personally I have no need for it.  I find it difficult to invest in a show such as Eastenders or others that require daily or weekly investment of time. I do have is Netflix and Mubi which offers foreign films which I personally enjoy a lot (they have offers for £3 for 3 months in order to entice you back).  I saw 2 french films and a Tunisian movie in the last month alone.  Being able to stream what you want when you want makes life a whole lot easier.

For news I stick with apps on my phone which is a digital newspaper.  When I cancelled my TV licence a few years back they did threaten to send someone around but it didn’t bother me.  I don’t have anything connected to a live signal and all the content is streamed through my WiFi.  Waste of money to listen to the garbage on BBC.

[chrishornx]

Yes - just ignore.

I haven't owned a TV for 20 years. I got annoyed with iPlayer because it seemed whenever there was a live event I wanted to watch like some footie match it was not available to watch live on iPlayer. What was I paying the licence fee for? So I stopped.

I was already subscribed to Prime and Netflix and YouTube has excellent informational and news content if you look for it.

IMO the pursuit of the poor and elderly over this issue does not cast the BBC in a good light.

so you haven't had a licence for 20 years and the final straw was not being able to watch sport on  Iplayer?  Really?

[PepeMAGA]

IMO the pursuit of the poor and elderly over this issue does not cast the BBC in a good light.

Yeah, their refusal to fund over 75s speaks volumes.

[scutty brown]

They have no right of entry. However IF they have reason to believe an offence is being committed they can apply to a magistrates court for a search warrant, though police must be in attendance to gain entry for this to take place.

If they keep plaguing you with visits you can send them a letter stating that "any implied consent to enter the property is withdrawn". That legally stops them from snooping around open windows or your garden trying to hear what you're doing. However if you try it, a search warrant is almost inevitable.

Don't forget you need a licence to watch ANY TV channel or catch-up service, including channels 4/5.
I'm not sure of the law re Apple/Amazhite/Netflicks but my understanding is the same rules apply. If I'm right be careful what you tell them.

[southcoastpunter]

Don't forget you need a licence to watch ANY TV channel or catch-up service, including channels 4/5.
I'm not sure of the law re Apple/Amazhite/Netflicks but my understanding is the same rules apply. If I'm right be careful what you tell them.

my understanding is that you need a licence to watch anything that is "live" no matter on what platform - so for example if you watch live sport on Amazonprime, you need a licence. (happy to be corrected if others know better).

[NIK]

You do not need one to watch ANY catch up service apart from the bloody BBC.
All you need one for is any live TV and the BBC in all its forms. You also cannot record live tv.

You do not need one for any other catch up service or obviously subscription services.

I have researched it all so I am ready for the bastards.

You know I can't believe anyone would want to do such a job.
I expect they wish they were in 1930s Germany.
As for the Beeb I couldn't care less if they went bankrupt. Harrassing people as they get TV licensing to do on their behalf hardly sits well with their liberal values.

[chrishornx]

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

External Link/Members Only

[Squire Haggard]

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Axxxxxx Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

External Link/Members Only

My flabber has never been so gasted.  I did not know (or have long forgotten) that you need a licence to watch channels other than BBC.  How can that be justified?

[NIK]

My flabber has never been so gasted.  I did not know (or have long forgotten) that you need a licence to watch channels other than BBC.  How can that be justified?

It can’t.

Just one of the many disgusting aspects of this tv licence business. Similarly how can the notion of enforcement officers appearing unannounced any time up to 9pm be justified. The whole business stinks.

[daviemac]

I couldn't be bothered with the hassle for the sake of £3.35 per week. If I pay it I can watch anything I like even if it's a one off.

[GingerNuts]

External Link/Members Only

I have a licence but understand this usually works, at least for a while.

[lamboman]

I couldn't be bothered with the hassle for the sake of £3.35 per week. If I pay it I can watch anything I like even if it's a one off.

Agreed much of the BEEBs output might have agendas I don't like but there's still plenty to watch,compared to what I pay for
Sky it's nothing.

[chrishornx]

Agreed much of the BEEBs output might have agendas I don't like but there's still plenty to watch,compared to what I pay for
Sky it's nothing.

Agree not worth the hassle

[NIK]

So it appears that despite many members not having a license no one has endured a visit from the enforcers.

[NIK]

Agree not worth the hassle

I don’t agree.
That is the compliant response they want you to have.

[daviemac]

I don’t agree.
That is the compliant response they want you to have.

For me the end result has to be worth more than the effort needed to achieve it and I'm not going to put any effort into saving 50p a day. 

[chrishornx]

I don’t agree.
That is the compliant response they want you to have.

good for you although your research wasn't right

[Asianfcuker]

Like the OP I have not had a TVL for many years & watch catchup via the internet, but never BBC iplayer. I just fill the form in online to state that & you will receive an email confirming this & maybe a letter saying the same a few days later. This entry will last for up to 2 years. The The BBC are full of threatening behaviour, not allowed to enter your property & under their own rules have to make an appointment to do so.

I have also carried a factory reset on the TV so there are no stored channels, removed aerials & disconnected TV aerial amplifier. So even if the aerial was reconnected the TV could not be retuned.

Also see External Link/Members Only

AF

[RedKettle]

good for you although your research wasn't right

I think he is right and he seems to be saying the same as you said!

[spiralnotebook]

£159 a year to watch the local news and weather then an odd usually repeat programme. Cancelled licence a couple of years ago and now just use Netflix, YouTube and the odd catch-up channel. Never looked back, mind you I hardly watch the idiot box regardless. No hassle from the wankers at capita yet but I called and cancelled the licence directly.

[NIK]

I think he is right and he seems to be saying the same as you said!

Yes,

I can't see any difference or why I am wrong.

[Marmalade]

Interesting that you need a license to watch any live stuff.

There’s something not quite right there… the government use TV to inform people of things like Covid rules. Not everybody has internet but almost everyone has a tv if they don’t have internet. The license fee is now quite expensive. If it is necessary for communicating essential information it would appear unfairly burdensome to those people on minimum wage.

As for needing a license to watch live programmes on Sky (which presumably need a Sky subscription anyway?) I’m not sure what the justification for that is?

Although they say costs are split, they don’t seem to add up very easily to the total amount paid.
External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

I’ve paid for a license whether or not I have a tv but rarely if ever watch a ‘live’ programme. My main complaint about the license, which I understand primarily benefits the BBC is the amount of advertising. Admittedly it’s the beeb advertising its own programmes it still drags on almost as long as commercial stations.

For me, the BBC have only produced one or two ‘must see’ shows — I can count them, and they’ve won Golden Globes. Rather less than other providers. If I break the license fee down to a ‘monthly subscriptions’ it’s not that much — but I doubt I would automatically be a subscriber. My Prime, and after that Netflix, give me I’d say better value for money.

I think Universal Channel would have offered good vfm for those who like a lot of viewing time on quite well made drama series.

[Mikeh38]

So it appears that despite many members not having a license no one has endured a visit from the enforcers.

By all accounts if they turn up stay silent but ask them once to leave your property then shut the door. If you have a gate put a padlock on it as this is you refusing 'implied right of access to your property' they are also not allowed to look in your windows or look around your property, I haven't had a tv licence for 12 years. Look up black belt barrister on u tube.

[mr.bluesky]

As the BBC show that many repeats I will use last year's licence 

[PumpDump]

I stopped paying 2 years ago. I just ignored their letters, they threatened to send an inspector, then Covid hit so they couldn't. When lockdown was over an inspector called. I told him I don't watch TV anymore (at the door step, don't ever invite them in). The letters continued, each one looking more and more scary! I filed them all in the bin. A few months ago I went on their website and filled out the form to declare I won't watch TV anymore. This means they leave you alone for 2 years although they "may" send an inspector out to check I am not watching TV. This involves him showing up at my door and asking me if I need a licence and me replying I don't watch TV. Pretty easy way to save £170 a year. That'll pay for a few pump and dumps 

[Lou2019]

I stopped paying 2 years ago. I just ignored their letters, they threatened to send an inspector, then Covid hit so they couldn't. When lockdown was over an inspector called. I told him I don't watch TV anymore (at the door step, don't ever invite them in). The letters continued, each one looking more and more scary! I filed them all in the bin. A few months ago I went on their website and filled out the form to declare I won't watch TV anymore. This means they leave you alone for 2 years although they "may" send an inspector out to check I am not watching TV. This involves him showing up at my door and asking me if I need a licence and me replying I don't watch TV. Pretty easy way to save £170 a year. That'll pay for a few pump and dumps 

wow talk about bullying that could be terrifying to some

[PumpDump]

I couldn't be bothered with the hassle for the sake of £3.35 per week. If I pay it I can watch anything I like even if it's a one off.

What hassle? You fill out a form on their website which takes all of 5 minutes. Where else would you save £170 by filling out a five minute form?!

[daviemac]

What hassle? You fill out a form on their website which takes all of 5 minutes. Where else would you save £170 by filling out a five minute form?!

When lockdown was over an inspector called.

 

I presume you don't mean the play by J. B. Priestley. 

Like I said the end result has to be worth more than the effort it takes and the effort to save 50p a day isn't worth it to me. I pay it by direct debit and £13 per month isn't missed and I know I'm not going to have anyone knocking on my door no matter what I watch.

BTW I'm not interested in the 'it isn't right or fair' so not paying as a matter of principle line of thought, it's a tax like a lot of others that can't be legally avoided if you use the service.

[NIK]

 

I presume you don't mean the play by J. B. Priestley. 

Like I said the end result has to be worth more than the effort it takes and the effort to save 50p a day isn't worth it to me. I pay it by direct debit and £13 per month isn't missed and I know I'm not going to have anyone knocking on my door no matter what I watch.

BTW I'm not interested in the 'it isn't right or fair' so not paying as a matter of principle line of thought, it's a tax like a lot of others that can't be legally avoided if you use the service.

But the bastards expect you to pay even if you don't!

[anyfucker]

i cancelled my licence 2/3 years ago and have received the usual threatening letters, have declared i don't need a licence.
I could easily afford the licence but why should i pay for something i don't use and have no intention of using.
IMHO the beeb is just the mouthpiece of the government
also had an email saying I have been watching iplayer when i hadn't so just ignored. Never had a visit yet.

this guy has several vids on tv licensing:
External Link/Members Only

[PumpDump]

 

I presume you don't mean the play by J. B. Priestley. 

Like I said the end result has to be worth more than the effort it takes and the effort to save 50p a day isn't worth it to me. I pay it by direct debit and £13 per month isn't missed and I know I'm not going to have anyone knocking on my door no matter what I watch.

BTW I'm not interested in the 'it isn't right or fair' so not paying as a matter of principle line of thought, it's a tax like a lot of others that can't be legally avoided if you use the service.

Again I ask what effort? 5 minutes to fill out a form on their website, I'll even post the link for you: External Link/Members Only

And if you are in the habit of handing out 50p a day for something you don't need can I sign up to receive also? I'm happy to knock on your door once every 2 years for £170 per year 

[daviemac]

But the bastards expect you to pay even if you don't!

I'm only saying why I pay it, whatever others do makes no difference to me. If I genuinely never watched any live tele I would probably fill the form in and I could even let the bloke in who came to check, but as I do watch live tele at times it isn't worth the hassle to me.

[NIK]

By all accounts if they turn up stay silent but ask them once to leave your property then shut the door. If you have a gate put a padlock on it as this is you refusing 'implied right of access to your property' they are also not allowed to look in your windows or look around your property, I haven't had a tv licence for 12 years. Look up black belt barrister on u tube.

Thanks for this.

I have also watched some other You Tub vids. There was one where the enforcement officer started reading the householder his legal rights. 'You do not have to say anything but... etc' as though he was an arresting police officer.
For fuck's sake! 

They seem to hope people will believe they need a licence if they simply have a tv.
Seems to me one of the greatest scandals around in this country at present.

[PumpDump]

I'm only saying why I pay it, whatever others do makes no difference to me. If I genuinely never watched any live tele I would probably fill the form in and I could even let the bloke in who came to check, but as I do watch live tele at times it isn't worth the hassle to me.

Ok makes sense.

[PumpDump]

Thanks for this.

I have also watched some other You Tub vids. There was one where the enforcement officer started reading the householder his legal rights. 'You do not have to say anything but... etc' as though he was an arresting police officer.
For fuck's sake! 

They seem to hope people will believe they need a licence if they simply have a tv.
Seems to me one of the greatest scandals around in this country at present.

Most of the guys on YouTube are the type of people who like a confrontation. They would start a fight in a empty room. It doesn't have to be like that. All you have to do is politely tell the inspector that you don't watch TV. If he asks anything else just say "I'm sorry but I am busy working from home, thank you, bye". And close the door.

[daviemac]

Again I ask what effort? 5 minutes to fill out a form on their website, I'll even post the link for you: External Link/Members Only

And if you are in the habit of handing out 50p a day for something you don't need can I sign up to receive also? I'm happy to knock on your door once every 2 years for £170 per year 

What part of"When lockdown was over an inspector called and This involves him showing up at my door and asking me if I need a licence"do you not understand.

I use the service so I pay for the service to avoid paying is not worth the hassle of filling in a form and answering the door to some bloke coming to check.

If others don't want to pay because it costs too much or they genuinely don't use the service that's up to them.

I'm not telling anyone they should or shouldn't pay, I am stating why I do.

[PumpDump]

What part of "When lockdown was over an inspector called and This involves him showing up at my door and asking me if I need a licence" do you not understand.

I use the service so I pay for the service to avoid paying is not worth the hassle of filling in a form and answering the door to some bloke coming to check.

If others don't want to pay because it costs too much or they genuinely don't use the service that's up to them.

I'm not telling anyone they should or shouldn't pay, I am stating why I do.

You probably didn't read my post properly but the inspector called before I filled the form. I haven't heard from them since I filled the form. However as you say you use the service then it is not relevant to you. I am just giving my experience to those who don't watch the BBC or live TV so they know they are legally entitled to cancel their licence and it is an easy process.

[NIK]

Most of the guys on YouTube are the type of people who like a confrontation. They would start a fight in a empty room. It doesn't have to be like that. All you have to do is politely tell the inspector that you don't watch TV. If he asks anything else just say "I'm sorry but I am busy working from home, thank you, bye". And close the door.

You are right there. The You Tube vids have to be dramatic. However amongst all the showing off and bollocks and bluster there was also some measured, rational legal advice.
Seems to me if you don't let them in to record the evidence for themselves they will keep bothering you. My intention is to allow them in to check and record it as I do not have receiving equipment and nothing to hide. If you don't allow them to verify for themselves they will certainly be suspicious. However, after that if they continue to bother me they can fuck off.

[Marmalade]

it's a tax like a lot of others that can't be legally avoided if you use the service.

This seems to me a sane approach. You can choose to avoid it illegally or just pay it after balancing benefits and burdens. Similarly, I believe that hashish should be legalised, quality-controlled, regulated and only used sensibly, but this doesn't alter the fact that I think the potential hassle from authorities for smoking it or having it in the house is not worth the bother, so haven't touched the stuff since my youth. I might try it if I were in the Netherlands. Similarly if the government suggested people ignore the BBC tax (I've also used the word 'tax') as Boris would have it do, then I probably would cease paying it as that would make it legally defensible.

So it's up to the individual: if you want to pay it, can afford it and can be bothered, or refuse to pay it / stop watching live tv ever. You can also try to persuade people to do as you do, but good luck on that one. 

[tynetunnel]

I think that the BBC provides excellent quality programmes for a wide variety of interests and that the fee is very good value. Now that it is payable by monthly direct debits, it’s less than the price of two fish suppers a month.

I do believe that the licensing system is overly complex, unwieldy and should be scrapped. It’s too easy to avoid paying. The BBC imho should be funded centrally by government, with the money taken from general tax income. It should (like pensions) increase automagically with inflation and not have to be begged or bartered for.

[Marmalade]

I think that the BBC provides excellent quality programmes for a wide variety of interests and that the fee is very good value.

Good on you.

What about people who beg to differ??

[Genesis42777]

I don’t agree.
That is the compliant response they want you to have.

I totally agree NIK + 1 i also dont have a Shotgun licence nor a forklift truck licence

why would you pay for something you do not need 

regards G

[southcoastpunter]

The BBC imho should be funded centrally by government, with the money taken from general tax income.

the problem with that is,  like most other state funded/controlled services, the amount of political control/interference would increase beyond the current level! It could become (even more of) a mouth piece of the government of the day!

[tynetunnel]

Good on you.

What about people who beg to differ??

Of course others may have opinions which differ to mine. I’m merely offering my opinion, in the debate. I don’t really understand your question 

[tynetunnel]

the problem with that is,  like most other state funded/controlled services, the amount of political control/interference would increase beyond the current level! It could become (even more of) a mouth piece of the government of the day!

Therein lies the difficulty

[lamboman]

It could become (even more of) a mouth piece of the government of the day!

It couldn't be any less of a mouthpiece for the government so I don't think that's an issue.