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TV or not TV

FeistyPigeon

Hi folks,

I've been thinking of putting the TV on ice, can't afford to renew the license this year. Most is rubbish anyway, but I'm pretty much housebound so socialising is very limited and the TV has been better than nothing. But it's now come to a toss-up between TV and food.

Have any of you been in a similar situation and ditched the TV? How did you find it? Have you found any alternatives (apart from the radio)?

If you just pull out the TV aerial and tell them you're not using it, is that ok? Or do you have to do anything more? And has anyone come knocking on your door demanding you pay the license fee?

Take care of yourselves everyone, getting cold now x

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Comments

michael57

if you dont have a tv you dont need a licence simple thats the legal way to do it tv licence applies to watching live tv broadcasts or bbc i player if you dont watch either you dont need one be prepared for a knock on the door tho your gain in the pocket is a loss in theres

OverlyAnxious

If your TV is a Smart one, you can use it to watch programmes on catchup without needing a licence. You can also use a laptop or tablet for that as well.

If it's not Smart then it's probably best to move it well out of the way. I don't think the TV licence people will accept it just being unplugged otherwise everyone would just unplug it when they arrive. The alternative would be to completely move the aerial cable well away from the TV. There is a high chance of them coming to check, as well as sending letters, if you do stop the licence.

Personally, I couldn't manage without live TV in the evenings and couldn't cope with the stress of expecting them to knock on the door so I do still pay the licence. Though I don't consider it good value.

Kimi87

This is what you can and can't do

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-can-i-watch-without-a-tv-licence

Telling them you don't need one

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/dont-need-a-licence

teuchterlass

i refuse to buy a tv licence and do not watch any live television, I have a smart tv now but previously bought one of those plug in things that fits in back of tv and connects to Amazon, think I pay about £5 a month subscription and watch all types of different films and programmes, I like my David Attenborough type programmes, can pause most of the programmes, rewind, does me fine.

Many years ago (about 45 years ago) I tired of all the sensationalism about anything and everything happening in the world and the blatant over influencing and presentations of just about everything.

I did not have a television for many years, as I have aged and ability to read and concentrate has declined due to health problems I bought a tv and an amazon fire stick - do not know if there are any other makes and models but this suits my needs.

whistles

Basically the license is just for the bbc, don't want it, don't need it.

I know people who have canceled the license and simply avoid all bbc channels. It's no loss.

durhamjaide2001

I don't watch TV I just find it boring

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/942039#Comment_942039

Thanks OverlyAnxious, that's good advice. I did wonder whether just unplugging it would be ok, or whether they'd still try and take you to court. People have been sent to jail over this… Like you I'm not sure how I'd get on without one, although most programs are awful. The problem is being stuck at home alone so much of the time. And also wouldn't want that knock on the door, it's such an intrusion.

Don't have a smart TV, just a very old tablet, don't know whether it'd be good enough for films. Can't afford anything else, so maybe it'll just be the radio + reading. They really ain't giving us enough to survive.

FeistyPigeon

Yes Whistles, it's a real ripoff, nearly all BBC is rubbish but you're forced to pay whether you watch it or not. I would warn anyone reading this thread that they can still take you to court if you don't watch any BBC, just other channels. It says on their license website if you watch any live TV eg Channel 4 you are still committing an offence + could go to jail - for watching TV for goodness sake! Not as though we're stealing the Crown jewels!

FeistyPigeon

Thanks Teuchterlass for the pointers. Wasn't aware of Amazon's plugin, sounds a good idea : )

teuchterlass

I've had an inspector at the door, he asked if he could come in - said NO then told him I do not watch live TV. He could see TV on as easily visible, was watching a wildlife programme as I was ironing.

Keep getting reminders.

Am over 75 and possibly could apply for an exemption but why should that be necessary.

FeistyPigeon

You were probably let off because of your age Teuchterlass, they probably have your age on their records somewhere. Anyone over 75 has it for free, didn't know you had to apply, they've probably had stacks of oldies like yourself not bothering too, and just leave you alone.

But you're right, yes thought I'd heard somewhere before you can refuse them entry…

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/foi-administering-the-licence-fee-AB20

teuchterlass

No he came knocking early COVID when I'd just turned 70.

Friend of mine, older, lots more money has had about half a dozen appointments made by them to check for licence, they have never appeared for any of them

teuchterlass

Had only moved into this house so no records of me.

All you do is when they ask to come in - NO - and if you want to add - I don't let strangers into my home

Still get regular letters addressed to the occupier😂, some I put back in post box marked RTS.

Why do I have to prove I don't watch live TV - are they going to check I'm taking my medication or not reading books of subversive material.

Already know my full income, keep an eye on my bank accounts probably more than I do, what/where I spend money, where I travel, who I contact

When they come in their vehicles they can tell exactly where each TV is in the house, loft, shed, surrounded in tin foil, etc and any channels being watched

What will the local judiciary do with you if the TV licensing decide to press charges - extremely little even if it does get as far as going in front of the sheriff.

whistles

AvoidingAvoiding bbc tv as s live tv and canceling the license is straightforward.

You just watch the +1 channels as it's not then live tv.

I barely watch anything when it's on, I watch things when I want and stream it. I haven't canceled because I do still watch the odd bbc programme. Casualty being one 😂

Jimm_Alumni

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/942135#Comment_942135

I just want to clarify that it is not just for the BBC as in why it is charged. Yes the money goes to the BBC but you still have to pay the license even if you do not watch the BBC. Legally you need to buy a TV License if you watch any live TV.

+1 channels DO count as live TV as well. The 'live tv' part is regarding if it is being broadcast at that moment, not when it was recorded. This is quite clear in the legislation around TV Licensing. I do not want anyone getting in trouble or possibly facing a fine so I would like to get that cleared up.

You can simply tell TV Licensing you are no longer watching live TV if you are no longer doing so. They do not have a right to enter your home without a court order.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/942320#Comment_942320

Sounds like you've been lucky then teuchterlass. And yes you shouldn't have to let strangers into your house to "inspect" whether you have a TV. However they do warn that if you keep refusing, they can get a warrant to search your premises (it's on the licensing website). Maybe they'll never do anything, but thousands go to jail every year for non-payment. This was on Sky News just a short while ago:

https://news.sky.com/story/disabled-mums-terrifying-prosecution-over-non-payment-of-tv-licence-13221776

They have much more legal weight than any equivalent service, can issue enormous fines as well as jail terms. I don't know what would happen in a situation where you aren't watching BBC, whether the BBC would need to prove you were watching them, or whether the fact that the TV was on would be enough to convict you. Any live TV, ITV, Channel 4, 5, etc would be enough to convict, so they say on the license fee website. Others I've known who've not paid their license make sure they put the TV away + use a laptop or something similar to download stuff. That would be safer…

In reality it's a form of bullying, either you pay for a license or they threaten to come knocking on your door. In other countries, like Australia, it's been paid for through general taxation for decades. No forcing people to pay, no threatening those struggling to pay with hefty fines and jail. This country it's been another poll tax, everyone pays the same no matter how rich or poor. It's high time it was "reformed", to quote Labour's favourite word of the month.

In your shoes teuchterlass, if you've reached 75 probably the safest thing to do is apply for a free license. But maybe I'm wrong, maybe that would start them looking at previous years…

whistles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/942497#Comment_942497

Thank you for clarifying that for me. My mistake. I assumed it would be similar to racing. You pay to watch the race live, but if you watch it afterwards, you can usually rerun for free as they are not live.

teuchterlass

Am not prepared to apply for a licence because I am over 75 - as far as I'm concerned I do not watch any live TV so why should I apply for a licence for something I do not do - willing to face any sheriff to plead my case. What do I need to prove I don't watch live programmes?

Next I'll be asked to pay money for a stamp because I hand delivered the birthday cards.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/942780#Comment_942780

Just checked up on the over 75s. You only get a free license if you get pension credit, which is about 10% of pensioners. Everyone else still has to pay! So if you pay by direct debit, you'll be refunded the last 6 months after you've died… I wonder how many refunds they pocket because the deceased pensioner doesn't have relatives?

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/943310#Comment_943310

What happens to money in the bank if someone dies without any relatives?

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