Do you think the TV licence in the UK should be completly scrapped or not?

[libbieberry]

I got this in the post today, I really dont think people should be forced into having to pay £160 a year etc when me personally I hardly ever watch BBC

Know I am gonna have to get this sorted, as the letter states it could lead to prosecution if I do not - just feel it should be completely scrapped and the BBC should do what other channels do and have commercial adverts

[Anonymous]

I think the BBC would never get funded by the government (especially the Tories) and maintain its independence. So the license seems like the best option for raising its funding. However if more people paid, instead of dodging it, the fee wouldn't have to be as much. The BBC provides a pretty amazing service even if you don't use it. There are plenty of public good works that you pay for with other taxes, even if you don't personally use them. The NHS. Libraries. State run schools. That's how a society functions.

[bolverk]

The BBC is supposed to be a Public Service Broadcaster (along with Channel 4) but is seems that it no longer fulfils that remit, It now focuses on tiny but extremely vocal minorities to the exclusion of the majority, and why should the over 35's pay for a company that has said publicly that it will no longer make any programs aimed at the over 35's. Instead they are chasing the 'internet generation' who largely do not watch scheduled programs and instead use streaming services on demand.
But the biggest bugbear of all is that they want you pay for a TV Licence even if you never watch or listen to any BBC programs be they on TV, Radio, or Internet, but to top it all off they want you to have a TV Licence for ANY LIVE TV irrespective of which channel or Streaming Service its on and that also includes any non UK channels and recording any channel to watch later.

[TrueConfection]

I would think it was a scam if I got that notice here in the US because it's outrageous. We pay fees and taxes on our utility bills already. Since I don't live in the UK, I can't really weigh in. However, I wouldn't mind seeing PBS and NPR get scrapped. I shouldn't be forced to support their biased fake news.

[libbieberry]

Definetly not a scam, can relate to what you are saying about scrapping certain things - t is the same here too

[Jessica405]

It should go to a subscription service, like it already has with Britbox. Pay to see old crap you have already paid for in the licence fee.

Look into what you can view on catchup without having to pay for a licence. I think there is quite a bit!

[libbieberry]

Yes I am quite reluctant at the thought of having to pay this, especially as I dont really ever watch the BBC

[Jessica405]

Check carefully as to whether they need a search warrant, or simply can enter, your home. I think part of the licence says they can see your set up at any reasonable time. However, if you don't need a licence, that cannot apply. They would then need a search warrant. I may be wrong, but check on it.

[libbieberry]

I will do, though I am sure they do need a search warrant

Will pay it if I really need to as there is the possibility of a £1,000 fine and a friend has said they could take me to court, then possibility of some time in jail if I refused to pay

[Jessica405]

They are thinking of criminalising it. They say they want to stop pensioners being hauled before the courts. They really fucked up by stopping some elderly peoples' free licences.

[Jessica405]

Damn! "De-criminalising"! 🤣🤣🤣

[libbieberry]

Yes that is another thing that got me too, My gran stopped paying it for a year or so as she did not have to, then all of a sudden she started needing to pay it again which is so wrong

[Jessica405]

https://www.gov.uk/tv-licence

[Levin]

Absolutely. With the so called pandemic the BBC revealed itself as a propaganda machine which only shows one side of the story, rather than fully representing its license fee paying members. The license fee absolutely needs to be scrapped, and the BBC needs to be held accountable for its part in the crimes against humanity which have taken place in the last two years.

[libbieberry]

Totally agree with u 100%, they definetly do not represent me at all

[Levin]

Feelin you girl. Fight the power!

[libbieberry]

I am kinda thinking though if there gonna be real consequences if I did

[Levin]

Something you have to get advice on. But they're the ones who are criminals.

[libbieberry]

That is true, do not want to have to pay it though at the same time do not want to be potentially prosecuted if I dont

[SnakeBoop]

hell yes. especially since before when it was first introduced it was to finance the programmes they put on. now they do the same as every other channel with advertisements too.

[libbieberry]

I would rather it was like Netflix and you could pay to have it turned on or not

[MCheetah]

That's one of the biggest scams the UK has. I feel bad for you guys; having to pay for propaganda.

[libbieberry]

Yes I dont agree with it at all

[MuddyMole]

It's ridiculous that you need a TV license to watch netflix etc, which you're already paying for separately, and I don't think that will be the case for much longer.
I'm not against keeping both the licence fee and the BBC though, as long as they are optional.

Personally, I never watch TV anyway, so I don't pay for a TV licence (you just have to declare that).

[Anonymous]

Actually no, I dont, at least I dont want to see and end to the BBC's publically funded nature.

Why?

Because for all its faults and they are many the BBC produces the highest quality nature documentaries in the world by a very wide margin and I don't want that to change.

[CaptainSmartass]

I think the TV licence should definitely be scrapped, along with the BBC.

Simples...

[libbieberry]

Exactly same as me, thats the way I feel

[Anonymous]

Absolutely along with the BBC (the biased/bullshit broadcasting company) in its current format

[libbieberry]

Totally agree

[Anonymous]

Don’t be scared of these letters, if you don’t want a TV license there are ways around it. I’ve never paid for one because I hate the BBC.

What has happened here? Have they seen your TV? Or did you just ignore the first letter?

[libbieberry]

Ignored previous letter here

[Opinion Owner]

Good, you’ll be fine then. There are plenty of vids on youtube on how people get away with not paying. Basically they don’t have any real authority to come into your house and check that you have a TV, they can’t force their way in without the police and a warrant, and it’s highly unlikely that they’d go to the trouble of getting one. In the unlikely even that they do, you ask them to give you a minute and then you take off the end of your aerial cable. In order to do anything they have to prove that your TV is connected and able to receive live TV, and if it isn’t there’s nothing they can do. But again very unlikely, has never happened to me. I just tell them I don’t have live TV, don’t need a license and they fuck off.

[libbieberry]

Thanks for response, I am considering my options at the mo

[AllThatSweetJazz]

It’s should be scrapped.


Same thing happens in Australia. We pay for an even worse and less watched ideologically biased garbage channel.

[OddBeMe]

Oh you mean paying monthly for tv. It’s all going to the Netflix model anyway.

[libbieberry]

I think that should be the case, though in the UK currently it is different

[OddBeMe]

O you lay BBC monthly for access. That is the Netflix model.

[joanne1997]

Scarp it for sure, pointless having to pay this in this day and age

[boobliker]

Yes most over here do!

[Gal67]

You need a licence to own a TV? Seriously?

[libbieberry]

Yes because of the BBC channels

[SnakeBoop]

the license is for if you watch any live tv/catch up and specific channels.

[Gal67]

That's crazy. And all because of the BBC? Get rid of it already!

[libbieberry]

Thats exactly what I would do

[joeldalton]

Lol.