We've binned the TV licence

[carosanto]

Hi Y'all

Well we finally did it.  We let the TV licence lapse, ignored all the bullying letters (why are the Licensing Authority such thugs?) and disconnected the TV and associated hardware.  We got out all our old videos, found some still in their cellophane, and sorted our music out.  Started the French language course again, and catching up on our sailing techniques.  Listen to Radio 4/2/5, get lots of info, stimulation and humour.  Read loads more books.

Know what?  It's now week 3, and we are amazed at how much more time we have.  We are not tied to getting dinner over with to watch a prog on the tele, and chill out over long leisurely suppers talking and laughing together.

OH phone the LA and told them we would no longer be buying a TV licence and they were welcome to come and inspect to which the reply came "Oh we surely will" from a customer service agent with all the CS skills of a Nazi prison guard.  Bring it on mate, there is little on TV to enjoy these days, and our combined blood pressures don't need pumping up with doom, gloom and despondency the like of which is pumped out on TV along with the awful reality (humiliation) TV shows, endless repeats and the ghastly Jonathan Ross.  Gawd, I'm even listening to the Archers again!!  Regards, Caro

[carosanto]

[asbean]

We think quite seriously each time the licence comes around, we watch on average about 4-6 hours a week between three of us.

We listen to the radio, don't think I could manage the archers, though  :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\

[Fork]

I listen to the radio on the TV  :-\

[staris]

to be honest if it wasn't for the kids i would cancel our licence as well there are only a couple of programs a week that i watch, there nothinng wrong with listing to the archers....great program  :)

[kt.]

to be honest if it wasn't for the kids i would cancel our licence as well there are only a couple of programs a week that i watch,

I reckon I could do without TV.  Last year I went 7 months without TV less 2 weeks in the middle due to work commitments.  Never missed it at all.  I phoned home from a landline but never missed my mobile phone neither come to think of it

[shirlton]

We don't have to buy a license ;D

[angle shades]

 :) always watch tv a lot in June/July, Wimbledon and Glastonbury,then don't bother, have never seen the soaps/ shades x

[Flighty]

When the switch to digital comes I'll have to get a new TV. Since I watch less and less I may well not bother and like you call it a day!

[Borlotti]

TV is getting worse, and from the replies on here most people hate Jonathan Ross, but obviously some people must like him.  I am fed up with depressing programmes, casualty, how clean is your house.  Mine is not too good, always out.  Used to watch Countryfile on Sunday morning, but they have changed the time.  We are into Heartbeat and On the buses on freeview, which even my grandchild loves.  Are you being served was good too.  Must be getting old, Eastenders is dreadful, but watch it occasionally for a good laugh.  Think the writer must be on drugs.

[BrianK]

We got out all our old videos,

I think even turning on the TV  even to watch videos requires a license.

But well done. I have three children.  I cannot imagine a life without TV for their sakes. Apart from the peer pressure theres so many informative programmes they enjoy like cbeebies etc.  Yes theres loads of crap (Mutant turtles grrrr) but a balance of TV, reading and family stuff is probably the ebst way to go for my family these days.

Congrats

[djbrenton]

We got out all our old videos,

I think even turning on the TV  even to watch videos requires a license.

You don't need a licence if you only use your TV for watching videos/DVDs or playing games. You do, however, need to ensure that it isn't capable of receiving live TV signals ( no aerial connection).

[BrianK]

Many thanks for the clarification.  Cut the TV aerial cable!

[banshee]

I could be wrong, but I'm sure you need a licence for a radio as well don't you?  Also, according to the chap I spoke to at tv licensing following my mum's death, if you have anything that is capable of receiving tv programmes, including computers, you still need to have a licence.

With the radio, another point to consider is legally if you play it in a public place so that other people can hear it ie on your allotment, you need another licence too. I cannot remember what it is called but I know you are meant to have one.


Cutting the aerial cable does not mean that you will get away with having no licence if you still have equiptment in your home that would allow you to watch tv - ie a tv set.

[Baccy Man]

I could be wrong, but I'm sure you need a licence for a radio as well don't you?  Also, according to the chap I spoke to at tv licensing following my mum's death, if you have anything that is capable of receiving tv programmes, including computers, you still need to have a licence.

I think you have been misled somewhat.
You definitely do not require a tv license to listen to a radio.

Regardless of what equipment you may have that is capable of receiving a televion signal you do not require a tv licence to:
■ Watch DVDs
■ Watch videos
■ Use a games console
■ Listen to radio broadcasts via a set top box
■ Use an online time shifted tv service such as BBC iPlayer (as long as the programme is not being broadcast at the same time)
■  Watch broadcasts from outside the UK
■ Watch recordings of broadcasts (although the person who recorded them may be breaking copyright laws unless they were recorded solely for the purposes of "time-shifted viewing")
■ watch internet video e.g. YouTube

Under the current legislation, you need a licence if you:
Watch or record live (or nearly live) television programmes.
This is the only situation in which you need a television licence.
A television licence is required no matter what kind of device is used - television sets, DVD recorders, set-top boxes, vcrs, computers, or mobile phones.

Merely owning a device that is capable of receiving live television does not require you to purchase a television licence. A television licence is only required if you actually use that device to receive live television. If you do not receive live television, you do not need a licence

Just out of interest how many people have seen what's inside a tv license detector van?
http://www.tvlicensing.biz/wpblog/?p=6#comments

[djbrenton]

With the radio, another point to consider is legally if you play it in a public place so that other people can hear it ie on your allotment, you need another licence too. I cannot remember what it is called but I know you are meant to have one.

That's another misrepresentation as it's only events or premises open to the public that are required to have PRS or PPL. Playing music on your allotment is the same as playing music at home with your windows open. If, on the other hand, you use a PA system at your Open Day, then licences are required. I should mention that my job is dealing with music played in public.

[terrier]

Baccy Man, whilst I don't dispute the content of you post, I have received notices from TVLA that state that if I have unlicenced equipment capable of receiving live TV programmes ( or words to that effect ) that I MAY be in breach of licencing laws, whether I USE IT OR NOT. Assuming that they will not make any statement that can be termed illegal, I wonder what circumstances this would apply?

[Baccy Man]

The TVLA says a lot of things, they once told me I had purchased a tv but failed to come up with any proof of that when I disputed it, that was about 2 years before I actually did get round to buying a tv.

The tv licence is based on the Communications Act 2003 I can't see anything obvious under the definition of "television licensable content service" which would require you to have a licence if you don't use the equipment to watch or record live tv.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2003/ukpga_20030021_en_22#pt3-ch2-pb7-l1g232

There are numerous websites which specialise in dealing with the TVLA in the unlikely event that there is any truth in what they have told you chances are the info will be available on one of them.
http://www.tvlicensing.biz/theweb/index.php

[Froglegs]

All them channels and bugger all on them,maybe if they got rid of the soaps,reality shows and daft game shows and put something decent on you would not mind so much paying for a licence. Not too long a go telly was worth watching and the adverts was a pain now the adverts are the best thing on TV

[Digeroo]

My mother in law did not have a TV for years and they were habitually outside her house trying to prove she was watching without a licence.  They even picked up the signal from next door and she had to show them she had no TV. 

[BarriedaleNick]

Im more than happy to pay my license.  I'd pay it just for Radio Four to be honest.  The license fee funds all the 10 BBC radio networks except for the world service - so we get to listen to the Archers and ISIHAC etc.  Without the license this would have to be funded by adverts or from general taxation.

I think there is a good argument for changing what the BBC does - out with J Ross and in with more factual/scientific/proper journalism ...