Author Topic: TV Licence Fee (Read 23976 times)

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **on:** June 1, 2005, 11:00:27 pm »

Money well spent tonight (if you've got freeview).

A choice of two great films:

BBC3 has Out of Sight
BBC4 has Le Gout des Autres

Sorry this post is a bit late, I've only just noticed.

peelyon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:27:02 am »

Rather than start a new thread thought Id post in here.

Thinking about cancelling my Sky TV and my TV licence. Over the past 3-4 months I think I've watched the telly about twice. With having a Kindle. my computer and an Ipad I just never find the time to sit down and watch any normal telly. At most I watch some catch up stuff on the Ipad with BBCiplayer and 4oD etc (which apparently you dont need a licence for).

My little girl just uses the telly occasionally for her dvds, and we sometimes let her watch a short cartoon on youtube using the ipad before she goes to bed.

Apparently:

The law states that you need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes, on any device, as they're being shown on TV. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and Blu-ray/DVD/VHS recorders.
You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

So I think Im pretty covered. Anyone else not paying for a TV licence? If I cancel my pointless Sky TV subscription and the license I may save myself around £800 or there abouts.

Sir Harvest Fields · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:34:46 am »

Im covered also then as i only have a video player and no internet as such as im on dial up. Bonus as i thought i was breaking the law. to be honest i never watched tv much, only for the footy and i go out to watch that now.

Barneylfc∗ · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:04:48 am »

Peelyon. Surely watching iplayer or 4od is just the same as watching 'as they are being shown on tv'? It's not you recording it but still you're using the services of the BBC?

I fucking hate paying for a tv licence. I think its an absolute disgrace. I'm already paying sky for tv and internet, so why the fuck should I have to pay 130 quid a year on top

Matt8Pie · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:15:27 am »

I don't pay a TV license. I've got a TV but I only use that for my PS3 and blu rays. I use the catch up services like iplayer, 4od, etc which you don't need a license for as you're not watching them live and I've got them through my PS3 too. I pay £6 every 2 months for liveonlinefooty so I can stream all the football I want and again, that can go through the PS3.

Sir Harvest Fields · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:16:03 am »

I must admit i always thought that if you had anything in your house that could show live or pre-recorded stuff in your house then u had to pay. I dont have ' tv ' but i have a video player combi portable jobbie thing. And a pc. And a smartphone. Id still refuse to pay if they said that id have to pay as i was watching videos and had a pc. Fuck em.

peelyon · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:17:37 am »

I thought that as well about BBC iplayer etc but the above is from the TV licence website. Im assuming recording things on your Sky Box etc is classed as "being shown as on TV" but the on demand shows dont seem to count. Bit of an odd way to go about it though. Means I could watch all the BBC shows I wanted without paying anything (not that I watch much BBC anyway!)

Matt8Pie · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:18:51 am »

Quote from: Sir Harvest Fields on March 12, 2012, 11:16:03 am

I must admit i always thought that if you had anything in your house that could show live or pre-recorded stuff in your house then u had to pay. I dont have ' tv ' but i have a video player combi portable jobbie thing. And a pc. And a smartphone. Id still refuse to pay if they said that id have to pay as i was watching videos and had a pc. Fuck em.

I think you've got to have one for the radio too.

peelyon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:25:22 am »

I always thought BBC iPlayer etc meant you needed a licence. Oh well off to make a phonecall

SP · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:28:12 am »

Horse's mouth and and all that:

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/playing_tv_progs/tvlicence

SP · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:32:17 am »

Quote from: Matt8Pie on March 12, 2012, 11:18:51 am

I think you've got to have one for the radio too.

The radio licence was abolished in 1971.

Matt8Pie · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:35:44 am »

Quote from: Southern Pansy on March 12, 2012, 11:32:17 am

The radio licence was abolished in 1971.

Oh okay, I recall reading something a while ago that you need a license for anything that broadcasts live?

Kochevnik · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2012, 02:22:47 pm »

I know the license fee and the whole BBC in general is a cultural institution among most Brits, but I'm going to be a cultural boor and admit that I don't understand it at all.

I know I'll get lots rushing to defend the honour of the BBC just on the basis that it's such an ingrained part of the culture there, but honestly, when I lived there it made no sense to me. Other countries have programming without advertisements that are sponsored by viewers and such, but these are mostly dedicated to educational programmes or the like. I've never seen anywhere where the taxpayers are subsidising a channel (well, a series of channels, really) that compete with private sector businesses with programming that is purely entertainment.

It's just a bizarre concept, frankly, if you didn't grow up with it. Why, other than pure inertia, should one channel benefit from public funds (and I know, you're not required to pay the license fee, exactly, but let's be honest, almost everyone has to) while the others don't? I don't want to come across as a tax-slashing Thatcherite, but honestly the whole idea doesn't make any sense. If the BBC were solely dedicated to putting out educational programmes and things that benefit the public interest, then I can see it, but Top Gear and its ilk doesn't benefit society in any way that I can see, and thus should be forced to find its own source of revenue.

Ziltoid · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2012, 02:25:25 pm »

You could be thinking of these boys - we've had a few calls off them trying to get money out of us for listening to a radio. Obviously we don't listen to a radio in work, no sirreeeee Bob

http://www.ppluk.com/I-Play-Music/Businesses/Why-do-I-need-a-licence/

blurred · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2012, 04:55:32 pm »

Quote from: Kochevnik on March 12, 2012, 02:22:47 pm

It's just a bizarre concept, frankly, if you didn't grow up with it. Why, other than pure inertia, should one channel benefit from public funds (and I know, you're not required to pay the license fee, exactly, but let's be honest, almost everyone has to) while the others don't?

ITV, Channel 4 and 5 benefit from TV Licence funding, too.

Quote from: Kochevnik on March 12, 2012, 02:22:47 pm

I don't want to come across as a tax-slashing Thatcherite, but honestly the whole idea doesn't make any sense. If the BBC were solely dedicated to putting out educational programmes and things that benefit the public interest, then I can see it, but Top Gear and its ilk doesn't benefit society in any way that I can see, and thus should be forced to find its own source of revenue.

They do - they syndicate the rights/sell the shows worldwide (not just to Dave), as well as making money off concepts that they sell on to foreign countries like Strictly Come Dancing or The Apprentice. Top Gear earns the BBC a fortune in its worldwide rights deals, DVDs, board games, etc.

INABITSKI · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:00:44 pm »

I don't actually mind paying it myself, actually feel I get my moneys worth in what I watch and catch at a later time. If not watching the footy or sports channels it's BBC everytime. Always using the iPlayer and BBC websites.

Cannot stand ITV no footy on there then they never get watched. They only fault for me is the Radio and that is a small grudge as they fund Chris Moyles the fat fucker.

DaftKev · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:08:27 pm »

Spot on, INABITSKI. Agree with every word of that.

JonnyDubb · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:13:01 pm »

Got a fine for not paying it when I was at uni and haven't paid it since, matter of principle. Must be 8 years now. You need to answer the door and sign a bit of paper for them to prosecute you so I just don't open the door if someone's standing there with a clipboard.

lachesis · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:15:13 pm »

It appears most countries have some form of TV License:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licence#Europe

And I think you need one if you own anything that can receive a broadcast. I don't mind a lot of the Beebs stuff, the only gripe I have is the ridiculous wages they pay the 'stars' of their prime draws.

INABITSKI · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:24:12 pm »

Quote from: JonnyDubb on March 12, 2012, 05:13:01 pm

Got a fine for not paying it when I was at uni and haven't paid it since, matter of principle. Must be 8 years now. You need to answer the door and sign a bit of paper for them to prosecute you so I just don't open the door if someone's standing there with a clipboard.

They are a joke with the students. Was delivering to student halls and they had 6 rooms in each flat, with about 100 flats in a block. They expected each individual room (not just one flat) to buy a licence each. Proper piss take, but most got binned or sent back. Not sure if they still try that one.

JonnyDubb · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:42:27 pm »

Quote from: INABITSKI on March 12, 2012, 05:24:12 pm

They are a joke with the students. Was delivering to student halls and they had 6 rooms in each flat, with about 100 flats in a block. They expected each individual room (not just one flat) to buy a licence each. Proper piss take, but most got binned or sent back. Not sure if they still try that one.

It was in a shared house. I wasn't even there at the time but one of the jobsworth birds I lived with freaked out when the inspector came and let him look around the house and gave details of all 8 of us who lived there. Because there were locks on the bedroom doors each room needed a separate licence. Bullshit. I moved back to London a year later and had bailiffs knocking round my mum's house (where I was getting my mail redirected) threatening her. My poor mother got scared and paid it. If I could find the c*nt who made her pay my fine I'd fucking kill him. I will never pay the licence for as long as I live and I'd be more than willing to go down for it.

Red_Isle_Chap · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:47:11 pm »

I don't pay it and i don't have sky. The only thing i want tv for is to watch the football and the rugby, both of which i can do online for free. Fuck em. As long as you haven't got an antennae into the back and you're not watching things online on say the i player as it's being broadcast you're fine.

Why anyone would actually pay for the mindnumbing drivel that counts for tv these days is beyond me, it really it.

Effes · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:49:19 pm »

It's well worth it

Can't remember the last time I watched ITV or Ch4

INABITSKI · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:57:07 pm »

Quote from: JonnyDubb on March 12, 2012, 05:42:27 pm

It was in a shared house. I wasn't even there at the time but one of the jobsworth birds I lived with freaked out when the inspector came and let him look around the house and gave details of all 8 of us who lived there. Because there were locks on the bedroom doors each room needed a separate licence. Bullshit. I moved back to London a year later and had bailiffs knocking round my mum's house (where I was getting my mail redirected) threatening her. My poor mother got scared and paid it. If I could find the c*nt who made her pay my fine I'd fucking kill him. I will never pay the licence for as long as I live and I'd be more than willing to go down for it.

I reckon they sent the vast majority out and hoping a few pay up, knowing they don't have the man power or patience to deal with a shit load of students who were never answering their doors anyway. Reckon you got unlucky living in the house rather than student halls. Had one knock on my door 2 weeks after I moved in, telling me I had no licence and could pay for it then and there. Told him I would be paying it once my mum moved abroad and her licence runs out. She moved in for a few months before going away so I was fully entitled to use it until that time.

I bought one when I needed to, not when they think I should. Horrible bastards coming threatening.

Austin Powers · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2012, 07:17:11 pm »

Quote from: Matt8Pie on March 12, 2012, 11:15:27 am

I pay £6 every 2 months for liveonlinefooty so I can stream all the football I want and again, that can go through the PS3.

Is that good? What is the quality like?

peelyon · « **Reply #25 on:** March 12, 2012, 07:39:26 pm »

Ive no quarm paying it when I used to watch telly, even if I hardly watched anything "terrestrial". Just dont see much point paying it when Im not watching TV. Only thing thats stopped me was because I thought the whole mobile device / iplayer thing meant you still need a licence.

Matt8Pie · « **Reply #26 on:** March 12, 2012, 07:59:45 pm »

Quote from: Austin Powers on March 12, 2012, 07:17:11 pm

Is that good? What is the quality like?

Looks pretty perfect on the laptop, not as great on the TV.

redbyrdz · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:27:33 pm »

to be honest I don't mind paying for the bbc. I' prefer if they got their funding through income tax, but I like what they do. I don't even have a telly, but I've got the radio on the whole day. And I use our house telly about once per week, and iplayer etc. sometimes.

Rococo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:41:29 pm »

I haven't got a problem with the tv licence.

BBC TV is pretty decent and when you consider the the radio, website and the rest of it, it isn't bad for what you pay.

Snail · « **Reply #29 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:43:15 pm »

They can fuck off with the cuts to BBC4 though.

Rusty · « **Reply #30 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:58:23 pm »

Living over in Oz for 3 years made me realise how good the BBC is.

wz4jc3 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 15, 2013, 09:16:59 pm »

I'm really getting fed up with paying the license fee. Does anybody know if any person has attempted to challenge the system? I for one have no idea how they get away with it; a very out of date concept in my opinion.

Farman · « **Reply #32 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:58:14 am »

^ To be honest I'm shocked that no-one has yet taken this all the way through the legal system. I'm sure there are EU laws that would make it pretty clear cut that the licence fee is illegal.

I would be happy to pay more or less what I pay already to have access BBC services, but it's the principle of the thing.

AB LFC · « **Reply #33 on:** April 16, 2013, 09:57:30 am »

Just watch it on Tvcatchup.

Claire. · « **Reply #34 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:32:17 am »

Personally, I don't have any issue with the license fee and feel like I get enough out of it that it's a justified expense.

If you don't feel like they're giving you what you want for your money, or you don't agree with paying it, contact the BBC Trust, it's their job to make sure license fee payers are getting the best from the BBC services.

RichardM · « **Reply #35 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:52:49 am »

The weirdest loophole that tends to apply to students living away more than anyone else is that if you're watching live TV on your laptop and it's running off it's own power and isn't connected to any mains sockets, then you're covered by your parents TV license at your home address.

Quote

(However, if your mobile device isn’t plugged in, you’ll still be covered by your parents’ licence.)

From the website. Applies to mobile phones and stuff too.

NotAsBigDanno · « **Reply #36 on:** April 16, 2013, 12:06:50 pm »

I dont really have a problem with paying it but think it should be renamed BBC subscription because that's what it basically is and you should be able to opt out of it.

jaffod · « **Reply #37 on:** April 16, 2013, 07:56:46 pm »

The whole licensing system is a joke. I have a bit of inside knowledge due to the nature of my job and the number of unlicensed properties would astonish you. The BBC don't even have the property owners name on their records and just use terms like legal occupier instead. To chase up the millions who don't pay or are in arrears is a hopeless task and I dread to think how much is added on to the fee to cover the cost of sending out millions of letters a year to people who have no intention of paying it.

wz4jc3 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 16, 2013, 10:07:42 pm »

Quote from: BigDanno on April 16, 2013, 12:06:50 pm

I dont really have a problem with paying it but think it should be renamed BBC subscription because that's what it basically is and you should be able to opt out of it.

That's the issue I have with it. It's the fact you don't have the option, despite there being a vast number of alternative options to watch. I genuinely find it staggering that they getaway with it.

RJH · « **Reply #39 on:** April 16, 2013, 10:35:34 pm »

Quote from: wz4jc3 on April 16, 2013, 10:07:42 pm

That's the issue I have with it. It's the fact you don't have the option, despite there being a vast number of alternative options to watch. I genuinely find it staggering that they getaway with it.

But the thing is, if you turned it into an optional subscription, would that not defeat the point of the BBC?

It would surely then create pressure on the BBC to chase viewer/ratings/subscriptions, over any "public service" remit it might have.