Topic: TV Licence Fee

[Big Red Richie]

In the days when not many people had TV's in their homes, it might of made sense to regulate, record and license them.

These days, what with virtually the entire population having a TV, computer, smart phone, or some other device that can receive pictures, it's an outdated concept and nothing more than another stealth tax.

The BBC and government are so used to having that revenue from the British public though, that they're not prepared to give up that source of revenue, any time soon.

[Claire.]

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.

The output of the BBC would change drastically if it was made a commercial broadcaster. Much of the news, documentary and arts budget would disappear. Can't imagine they'd keep all of the radio output, subscription would come in for iPlayer, which would be chock full of ads and bumpers.

I'd rather pay the £12 a month.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

I'd rather pay the £12 a month.

Me too.

Commercial impulses would kill a large portion of the Beeb's excellent output.

[jason42]

Going on what was said on the previous page - Jess is off to Uni in September and will be living in the Halls. If she takes her own TV will she be covered by my licence? Or is that just for laptops and the like?

[Claire.]

If I remember right, if your door has a number/letter on it it counts as a separate address and you need a license.

Most halls have numbers on the doors, or it'll be like a flat with lettered doors.

[John_P]

Going on what was said on the previous page - Jess is off to Uni in September and will be living in the Halls. If she takes her own TV will she be covered by my licence? Or is that just for laptops and the like?

nope, when I was in uni (2001-2004) everyone in my halls got tv licensing letters.

[INABITSKI]

nope, when I was in uni (2001-2004) everyone in my halls got tv licensing letters.

I delivered at Uni halls for a couple of years and they were a nightmare. Block of 200 flats with 6-7 rooms in each. Every single one got a tv licence and the communal room.

[Sir Harvest Fields]

I dont have a tv licence hahahahahahahahahaha and i love it.

[RJH]

Going on what was said on the previous page - Jess is off to Uni in September and will be living in the Halls. If she takes her own TV will she be covered by my licence? Or is that just for laptops and the like?

Your license would only cover portable devices - laptop/tablet etc. (as long as they aren't plugged in).
For a normal TV, she'd need a license.

nope, when I was in uni (2001-2004) everyone in my halls got tv licensing letters.

Happened to me at Uni as well. Lived in a big block of flat, they sent a letter to everyone.
One of my flatmates actually binned all the letters straight away first time round.

So the first letters we saw had already moved up a step in delivering threats about the consequences of not having a license.
All a bit of a waste of time on their part anyway -  no one on my floor could even get a signal in their rooms because we were located in what was essentially a valley.

[jaygraham]

Going on what was said on the previous page - Jess is off to Uni in September and will be living in the Halls. If she takes her own TV will she be covered by my licence? Or is that just for laptops and the like?

No, if theres a lock on her bedroom door seperate from the rest of the house, technically she needs one.

No point getting one though, they could never check. They bombard halls and uni houses with letters, ignore them, dont let anyone in in the extreamly unlikely event of someone calling round and your sound.

[owens_2k]

Got caught with no licence once. Just paid it as soon as the fella left and they said sound.

[jason42]

Quick question - my daughter is off to Uni in September and her accommodation letter has arrived - she has been offered a flat in one of the blocks. Will she have to have her own TV licence?

[Carly]

Quick question - my daughter is off to Uni in September and her accommodation letter has arrived - she has been offered a flat in one of the blocks. Will she have to have her own TV licence?

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/?WT.mc_id=r107

[jason42]

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/?WT.mc_id=r107

Thanks.

[Circa1892]

So, just about to buy a tv licence for the first time.

Tick the option to pay monthly. It then asks me to pay £29 a month for 5 months to pay the licence in full, then pay the first six months of the next year in advance. So effectively the fuckers are asking for £220 in the first year. Talk about a) discriminating against new licence payers and b) Taking the piss.

[jaffod]

So, just about to buy a tv licence for the first time.

Tick the option to pay monthly. It then asks me to pay £29 a month for 5 months to pay the licence in full, then pay the first six months of the next year in advance. So effectively the fuckers are asking for £220 in the first year. Talk about a) discriminating against new licence payers and b) Taking the piss.

Don't pay anything then. They'll send you 5 letters before threatening to even send someone round.

[CB]

The output of the BBC would change drastically if it was made a commercial broadcaster. Much of the news, documentary and arts budget would disappear.

Well that suits me as I don't watch any of this.

And, as we have found out, the BBC behaves like any large corporate when it comes to executive pay-outs, especially for those whose who are leaving....public service.....really??

Where can I opt out?

[Millie]

Well that suits me as I don't watch any of this.

And, as we have found out, the BBC behaves like any large corporate when it comes to executive pay-outs, especially for those whose who are leaving....public service.....really??

Where can I opt out?

it's not there to suit just you though is it

[G1 Jockey 4(betfair)]

you would have thought in todays age of technology that who ever wants to watch or listen to the bbc would be able to pay individually.

[SP]

you would have thought in todays age of technology that who ever wants to watch or listen to the bbc would be able to pay individually.

Want to make the argument for the NHS?

[bigbonedrawky]

So, just about to buy a tv licence for the first time.

Tick the option to pay monthly. It then asks me to pay £29 a month for 5 months to pay the licence in full, then pay the first six months of the next year in advance. So effectively the fuckers are asking for £220 in the first year. Talk about a) discriminating against new licence payers and b) Taking the piss.

Ditch it... what are they going to do about it ? Harass you, Intimidate you, Threaten you, Trespass on your property, Pervert the course of justice, Commit perjury ?
It makes them sound like a Criminal racket doesn't it, in which case Its illegal to fund a Organization if you believe it to be a Criminal Organization...
However if you are a Single Female with Children its probably a good idea to get one... unless said Female has a black belt in martial arts and know her Rights.

[lauz]

Ditch it... what are they going to do about it ? Harass you, Intimidate you, Threaten you, Trespass on your property, Pervert the course of justice, Commit perjury ?
It makes them sound like a Criminal racket doesn't it, in which case Its illegal to fund a Organization if you believe it to be a Criminal Organization...
However if you are a Single Female with Children its probably a good idea to get one... unless said Female has a black belt in martial arts and know her Rights.

why only for a single female with children?

[bigbonedrawky]

why only for a single female with children?

They are the one's who are targeted by the BBC's henchmen,its because the BBC believes them to be the most likely to succumb to Harassment, Intimidation aka Bullying.

[Motty]

They are the one's who are targeted by the BBC's henchmen,its because the BBC believes them to be the most likely to succumb to Harassment, Intimidation aka Bullying.

sexist

[jaffod]

They are the one's who are targeted by the BBC's henchmen,its because the BBC believes them to be the most likely to succumb to Harassment, Intimidation aka Bullying.

Targeted by the BBC's henchmen? Seriously? I have pretty good knowledge on TV licencing due to my job and the numbers who don't pay are fucking mind-boggling. What's more they don't even have names of non-payers, in most instances they're referred to as 'legal' or 'current' occupier.

[Elli]

Going on what was said on the previous page - Jess is off to Uni in September and will be living in the Halls. If she takes her own TV will she be covered by my licence? Or is that just for laptops and the like?

If I remember right, if your door has a number/letter on it it counts as a separate address and you need a license.

Most halls have numbers on the doors, or it'll be like a flat with lettered doors.

when I was in uni (2001-2004) everyone in my halls got tv licensing letters.

Your license would only cover portable devices - laptop/tablet etc. (as long as they aren't plugged in).
For a normal TV, she'd need a license.

...

Quick question - my daughter is off to Uni in September and her accommodation letter has arrived - she has been offered a flat in one of the blocks. Will she have to have her own TV licence?

[pewithree3]

If you are the deputy prime minister you put it
on expenses and get taxpayers to pay for it!

[INABITSKI]

Targeted by the BBC's henchmen? Seriously? I have pretty good knowledge on TV licencing due to my job and the numbers who don't pay are fucking mind-boggling. What's more they don't even have names of non-payers, in most instances they're referred to as 'legal' or 'current' occupier.

Deliver shit loads of them with "current occupier" then someone moves in an address with the same thing on and send them back.

Question why I even pay it personally.

[bigbonedrawky]

Targeted by the BBC's henchmen? Seriously? I have pretty good knowledge on TV licencing due to my job and the numbers who don't pay are fucking mind-boggling. What's more they don't even have names of non-payers, in most instances they're referred to as 'legal' or 'current' occupier.

I believe them to be targeted because of cases I know of personally. Also IIRC its around 70 % of those prosecuted are female ( there is a old thread on here somewhere )

One trick they use around our area is to wait around for them to come home with the kids after School, follow them to the door then stick their foot in the door and yes its predominately Women. Typical bully's they wouldn't try that sh*t with me.
I once caught one these nonces peeping through my kitchen window... he tried to run away 

You don't work for Capita do you ?

sexist

 I'm all for equal rights Henchwomen and Henchmen it is 

[Roady]

Targeted by the BBC's henchmen? Seriously? I have pretty good knowledge on TV licencing due to my job and the numbers who don't pay are fucking mind-boggling. What's more they don't even have names of non-payers, in most instances they're referred to as 'legal' or 'current' occupier.

alrite mate do you work in Darwen?

[jaffod]

You don't work for Capita do you ?

alrite mate do you work in Darwen?

No and No!

[Titi Camara]

I genuinely don't know why I have to pay this.

I just looked it up and their website basically said that I have to pay it "because it's the law"

BBC are not impartial, 99% of the time their output is guff and largely comparable with ITV.

I think the fee should be abolished.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

I genuinely don't know why I have to pay this.

I just looked it up and their website basically said that I have to pay it "because it's the law"

BBC are not impartial, 99% of the time their output is guff and largely comparable with ITV.

I think the fee should be abolished.

ITV is pure shite, the odd drama aside - which I can't even watch due to my dislike of ad breaks.

BBC has quality radio and TV channels, excellent websites. BBC 4, the only decent place to see music programming which is woeful everywhere else or plagued with advertising MTV style. Same for 6 music. Also shows loads of boss imported dramas and stuff. It does a lot for upcoming talent, far more than ITV.

Yes the news and political 'slant' has been criticised of late, but really they're in a bind regarding that.

Criticise the Tories/rightwing/UKIP, then the government will take away their Public Service remit, effectively banishing them to a life of commercial television, which is effectively what you are asking for with disposal of the licence fee. Don't criticise the Tories et al, come in for loads of shit from all the lefty liberals like me

You might think their news programming is poor now but basically if they disappear it leaves us open to US style news broadcasting, brought to you by our corporate sponsors, biased as fuck and effectively spreading misinformation a la Fox News.

The NHS and the BBC are the last two great UK institutions in my book, remnants of a time when socialism wasn't a dirty word. The ideas may have changed for both since their inception, but I still believe Britain would be a far far poorer place without either.

I have my own criticisms of their changes and actions over time (Saville FFS) but I honestly believe the country would be better served by supporting them rather than calling for the licence fee to be scrapped, which would effectively make them into a ratings-chasing bottom feeder like every other channel/broadcasting corporation, yes they have crap like Strictly etc. but overall that's a fair exchange for Radio 4, 6, BBC 4, websites, and the many other services they provide.

[the good half]

I got a shock since I moved to the UK.

Is this fee £12 EVERY month!?!

[Sir Harvest Fields]

Yep. Enjoy the shite. As for a great british institution, i think you are on a fishing trip mate.

[SpartanTree. No deccies or lights.]

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.

I currently have a licence at one address which is paid up until the end of May.  Actually in the process of selling the house which has now been empty for the last couple of months.

At the same time I took up tenancy in an apartment  - my contract actually started last June - although it was only recently that I moved into the apartment.

Up until now I've either sent back or ignored letters about the tv licence at the apartment which were addressed to 'The Legal Occupier'.
1) As I wasn't actually living in the apartment but was simply shifting my belongings there over the course of a few months.
2) Was paid up at the other address anyway where the tv was in use.

A couple of days ago my apartment intercom buzzed and I could see a weird looking bloke with a clipboard stood outside. 
The apartments have secure access so he couldn't get in but I can see him through the intercom camera and so I ignored him as I thought he was a salesman.

Now I've received a letter worded as follows :

Dear Sir/madam,
You have not responded to our previous letters.  We want to ensure you have the information you may need before a hearing is set at your local court.
Please read the information below carefully and keep for your records.  You will be allowed to take it into court with you.

Then there's a couple of paragraphs about :
> What to expect in court     > How to avoid a court summons.

Personally, I'm tempted to ignore it as I think it's a blag.  How can you set a court date if you don't know who you're dealing with?

Secondly, if i respond they'll get me onto their database which will be a pain in the arse as I don't actually have sky/bt/virgin or even a freeview box.  I do, however, have a 'Now TV' box which i occasionally use and runs off my internet but it doesn't have live tv like bbc1 etc.

Thoughts ?

[AndyMuller]

It's the worst bill along with council tax, spending money on fuck all.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Council tax pays for police, fire, rubbish disposal, libraries, children's centres, etc.

But yeah, fuck all.

Has everyone gone Tory on here?

[Red Beret]

When I first moved into my place I rang up and told them I didn't need a licence as I don't have a television and they were okay with that.  Every couple of years I get a letter from them asking me if my circumstances have changed and I just call them to say no they haven't.

They seem to have softened the wording in the letters in the past few years.  Used to be along the lines of "if you have a television or device capable of accessing live BBC content" - which could include laptops or even a smart phone - but now it's more like, "if you are planning to watch live television broadcasts".

I don't even go on the BBC website unless I'm in a café or library where I know they'll be covered for a licence.

[Pheeny]

So if you have a computer they can make you buy a TV Licence?