How is the TV License SO bloody expensive?
Posted by byecocoa@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 69 comments
I just moved to Scotland in July, and have received letters for the TV license. As I didn't have a TV then I just ignored it. But I do have a TV now and I got a letter with them asking if I'm home at a specific date. So I checked and I actually only need to pay because I watch YouTube!? I don't use any of the other streaming they listed or live TV. I only watch netflix or Disney+ occasionally and I f*cking pay for that already!? And I have to pay the whole year, even though I haven't even lived here before?!!!!!!????? Is that even legal?
I really don't want to pay this much, just because I watch YouTube sometimes, with their thousand bloody ads 🤯🤯 is there a way to not have to pay it or less?
kh250b1@reddit
Reddit is absolutely full of license dodgers.
lamaldo78@reddit
Or maybe they don't watch live stuff? That doesn't make them licence dodgers, as you put it
Goatmanification@reddit
Not sure why you're being downvoted. I don't watch any live tv in the year. I don't need a TV licence.
Flash__PuP@reddit
I don’t watch any live tv and the only BBC stuff I watch is Dr Who and Death in Paradise because I’m a fucking nerd. Those I watch at my mums…
Goatmanification@reddit
Why are we being downvoted for... legally not needing a licence?! People are weird
Flash__PuP@reddit
BBC spies on the sub…
Goatmanification@reddit
They're not very good ones, we don't need a licence! Literally following the law to the letter... I swear some people still think you need a licence if you have a device capable of watching live TV!
Flash__PuP@reddit
I’ve not had a license for about 10 years from back when I was Bar Managing and on really antisocial hours. They would write to me every month checking I still didn’t need one. I called up and told them I didn’t and if they sent another letter I would report them to ofcom for harassment. Poor woman on the phone apologised and said it was automated but she could set it to every 4 years. I said I would accept that compromise.
MJsThriller@reddit
Sure
Gekey14@reddit
It's not, it's a fairly reasonable sum for the whole year. Don't pay it if u don't care about live TV but I feel like the ~£3 a week is worth the sheer amount of stuff it gives us from the BBC
michaelwnkr@reddit
I don’t think it is. For just over £3 a week (half a pint) you get all the BBC programmes plus iPlayer for a big back catalogue, and no adverts! It’s wonderful value for money.
Real_Run_4758@reddit
you don’t have to pay if you are using YouTube, unless you use it to watch live broadcast television (for example the sky news live channel)
VisenyaRose@reddit
It would be very hard to prove that you didn't though. A TV connected to arial or wi fi could be used to view live content even if you didn't
Real_Run_4758@reddit
i don’t have a antenna connected. i don’t have to prove a negative. I’d honestly like to see them convict me based on a smart tv with no tv apps installed, no itvx or iplayer etc
Jesters__Dead@reddit
You don't have to prove anything, especially if you don't let them in. Refuse entry
They need a warrant from a judge to enter your home
Mcby@reddit
Damn I didn't realise Sky News live on YouTune even qualified – am I right in thinking the line is if what you're watching is also being broadcast live at the same time on TV, it requires a license? Whereas if it's not live (and not on iPlayer) or live content that is only streamed (and not broadcast on TV) it's fine?
Flash__PuP@reddit
It’s ANYTHING that’s live. So wrestling/boxing on Netflix also falls under the banner even though it’s not being broadcast in the traditional sense. I would say the chance of these streaming services giving your details up to the BBC if you do watch a live event are slim to fuck all and the onus is on TV Licensing to prove you did watch.
jw928@reddit
Don’t pay, don’t engage, don’t let them in.
Silver-Appointment77@reddit
Go to the TV licensing online, and there's a form which about not needing a license. Just fill it in. another thing id, you don't have to let any tv licensing officer in your house.
el_duderino_316@reddit
It's about £3.35 a week (174.50 ÷ 52)
I'm not going to argue about the rights and wrongs of it existing, but it is not expensive.
ukrepman@reddit
Meanwhile netflix is £1.40 a week, Disney+ is £1.15 a week and prime (plus free deliveries) is £1.85 a week
el_duderino_316@reddit
Yeah, they aren't expensive either. I've already said I have no interest getting into the rights and wrongs, so I will leave it at that.
I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit
You only need a TV licence if you use YouTube and Netflix to watch live content. If you just use them to stream pre-recorded videos, then you don't need one. This is easily Googleable
ByEthanFox@reddit
Wow, seriously? I thought you only needed it if you were watching BBC live content.
I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit
Yeah I don't hate the TV licence as a concept as much as some redditors, but I do think it's outrageous that you need one even if you don't watch BBC content.
NectarineRound7353@reddit
It's the broadcasting infrastructure it pays for as well (radio included). So not solely being used by the BBC (although it is the largest chunk of the fee). Like you, I'm not solely against it but it does need an overhaul. A pay monthly / cancel whenever system a la streaming services or something to that effect.
Mikon_Youji@reddit
Do you watch live TV on youtube? If not, you don't need to pay for a TV license. You only pay for live streaming.
stairway2000@reddit
Ignore the letters. You'll be fine. No one needs a TV liscense.
chartupdate@reddit
The TV licence funds all BBC services. That's a pretty good reason to have one in my book. I have one.
OldSpudders@reddit
Does that include the services where the BBC enables the most vile and wretched nonces to rape kids? You should be ashamed.
nadnerBG@reddit
Don’t pay it, it’s ridiculous. Just never ever ever respond to a letter, never let them in your house and absolutely never admit to watching TV. This will get downvoted to oblivion but anyone who pays for a TV license is a mug.
sparklybeast@reddit
Or they value the services the BBC provide and are happy to contribute towards its continued existence.
OldSpudders@reddit
What services are those? Services to some of the most disgusting nonces to have ever plagued society?
mr-dirtybassist@reddit
Because the BBC are robbing bastards. Just do what I do and don't pay it.
two_hats@reddit
I never watch live TV, but use iPlayer, listen to BBC radio, use BBC weather, use the BBC news app all the time. Someone gets paid to maintain all that stuff, it doesn't come out of thin air. Considering the amount of content, the license is a fair price, in my opinion.
DarkAngelAz@reddit
It’s not. It’s a few pounds a week.
ukrepman@reddit
It's more than Netflix and Disney plus combined
Sate_Hen@reddit
Only if you select the ad version of both
ukrepman@reddit
Doesn't make my statement untrue. And the non ad versions are £89.90 and £155 for the year, compared to £174.50
Sate_Hen@reddit
It doesn't, I just think it's important context for a comparison. Not that I think comparing the BBC to a streaming service works anyway
KJW2804@reddit
Few pounds a week to fund the peado infested bbc I think I’d rather just not pay it and tell the wanker who comes to the door to fuck off
Dennyisthepisslord@reddit
Believe if you watch a live stream on YouTube or Netflix sporting events you need one technically
Psyk60@reddit
I don't think any live stream requires a TV license. A live stream of a TV channel does. So for example if you watch a live feed of Sky News via Youtube you need a license. If you're watching a video game streamer live, you don't need a license because that's not also being broadcast on TV.
But apparently live sporting events do require a license, I guess because the same event is also being broadcast on TV?
Dennyisthepisslord@reddit
Netflix live streams count and they don't share rights... Wrestling isn't a either
Psyk60@reddit
Hmm it seems the rules really aren't very clear. There does seem to be some differentiation between streaming some sort of "event" vs watching a live stream of random Youtube or Twitch streamer. It's not obvious where they draw the line.
themcsame@reddit
Re: Youtube
Only if it is being broadcast simultaneously by a TV channel/service. User generated content is exempt.
wolfhelp@reddit
Yeah, live broadcast TV on any device or use iplayer
testdasi@reddit
You only need TV license if you watch
So as long as your programme is on-demand (i.e. not live and not recorded by you) and you add BBC iPlayer to your DNS adblock list, nothing you watch is ever in scope of the TV license.
Now in terms of enforcement, the license inspector has no right to break into your premise nor do you have any obligation to tell them anything.
The only way they can do anything is if it's blatant (e.g. they can see your watching live footie from your house window - unlike popular believes, they can call the police on you in this particular case, just that the police may never arrive) or if you "admit" to it even if it's a misunderstanding on the inspector's part (e.g. there's a recent news piece in which someone was taken to court because he said he watched sports and the inspector concluded he watched TV when he meant he watched sports replay online, which is outside of TV license scope - he won the case but obviously had to be dragged through the mud).
So the short answer is, don't let the inspector in. Simply tell them you are busy and close the door. Remember they are not your friends, there's no need to chitchat.
Kickkickkarl@reddit
The TV licence is a license to receive "live television transmissions"
You are legally allowed to own and operate a television for not recieving "live television transmissions"
The grey area comes in this digital age where it's possible to receive live transmission using apps in these smart televisions hooked up to the internet.
For example you could watch lots of content on BBC iPlayer but you are not allowed to really use the live reception of BBC television channels which are built into the app. Would any know? Not really but technically the license is for the reception of television broadcasts..
SEP555@reddit
The license is needed for any Iplayer usage, so that includes the on demand content not just its live content.
zero_glitch_cliche@reddit
It’s not expensive
ukrepman@reddit
In my opinion, it is relatively expensive
fredfoooooo@reddit
Op makes a Joke statement not to be taken seriously. The tv licence is a bargain. Compare it to what other platforms charge. No adverts. You get 8 tv channels and nearly 50 radio stations. Lame attempt at rage bait.
Azyall@reddit
You only need a licence to watch live tv (on any channel) or BBC's iPlayer.
If you do watch live tv, it costs about £3.35 a week. Up to you if that's "bloody expensive".
ffsnametaken@reddit
They like to make it seem like you need one to watch youtube, but you don't. Unless it's some kind of youtube+terrestrial combined stream, which I don't think I've ever seen happen. Those letters are a fucking disgrace.
themcsame@reddit
It happens. News channels often do it a lot more than anyone else.
Haggis161@reddit
It's not expensive when you don't pay for it.
Goatmanification@reddit
You don't have to pay for YouTube. Don't believe their blatant lies and scare tactics.
ComprehensiveAd8815@reddit
All the licences dodgers sure have strong opinions on what is broadcast don’t they. For what it costs and what we are able to access it’s amazing. It’s less than the price of a pint a week.
LordAxalon110@reddit
Not payed or needed a TV licence is 9 years. Told them I don't need one because I don't watch anything BBC and I don't watch any live broadcasts. They sent someone around and told me I need to pay for a TV licence, I explained the situation and even invited him in to check that I didn't even use the aerial. He was pretty polite and said it was alright and didn't need to come in. Not heard a peep from them since.
TheNewHobbes@reddit
If you want to pay less you can still buy black and white tv license, only £58.50.
Exotic-Knowledge-243@reddit
You don't have to pay to watch YouTube.
If I was you I'd either cut the wire or bury it in the wall. If you don't watch live TV you don't have to pay for a license
spindledick@reddit
You don't need a licence to watch YouTube. Here's what the gov.uk website says:
"You do not need a TV Licence to watch:
ubik95@reddit
Don’t pay it. They’ll never come round and even if they do, you don’t have to let them in.
aslikeajellyfish@reddit
I live in the south of England and the fuckers came round when I didn't pay, but like this guy, I don't watch live TV, so I welcomed them on in.
The dude was alright tbh, told me someone once hit him with a golf club when he went round to check them out.
Safe to say, I don't pay it and I use the same stuff
abatoire@reddit
The key word in their explanation is LIVE. Do you want watch anything live in YouTube?
My brother told me that they have as much power as a Tesco Delivery Driver to enter your home. Just do not let them in.
They have to prove you are watching live TV to convict or get permission to enter. So if you don't respond, they don't have cause to check.
HughWattmate9001@reddit
You can sign a declaration if you wish to stop letters you will have to do it every now and then. Or just ignore the letters. If someone knocks on the door you can refuse to let them in they have no right to enter without a warrant and this is the advice most people give since these tv men are on contracts usually so make things up. If you don't watch live tv or use the iplayer app you dont need to pay for a licence.
No_Base4946@reddit
You don't need to pay. You don't need to let them in.
If they say they're going to come back with the police, tell them to just go ahead and do that. Can you guess how responsive the police will be?
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