Features - QOTW: Do you pay the TV Licence fee?

[HEXUS]

Or has technology enabled you to do without live TV?

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[scaryjim]

Haven't had a TV - and therefore haven't had a TV license - for more than 5 years. There's simply not enough decent content that's only available on broadcast TV to warrant the cost. Everything I want to watch I can get on DVD or watch on catch-up online. And I really can't see anything changing that in the future, as digital delivery of content will eventually become ubiquitous. And presumably when that happens, someone will come up with a different way of funding the BBC.

[phili_c51]

Have not had a licence since 2010. Watch all my television on catch up services or stream

[Chaoss]

I believe you only need a TV License to watch BBC programs live, i think the sports channels are except if you watch them on or via a computer.

[sykobee]

There is something good about sitting back and getting advert-free television, over several channels, for £145.50 a year.

I have lived without it in the past, and if I lived on my own I could do so again. However I think there's enough decent BBC content to make it worthwhile.

Gotta say that the rules about needing a TV license are quite ridiculous. http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.u...rogs/tvlicence
iPlayer for catchup is fine? But the content on iPlayer is what is funded by having a TV license. Ridiculous.

[Willzzz]

Same, no TV for me either.

If I have a TV all that happens is that I waste my time watching programs I'm not even interested in.
Online I only watch things I actually choose to watch.

Iplayer will tell you what you can't watch, everything else is fair game.

[Smudger]

I do. But, I spend most of my time watching stuff I've recorded. Because I didn't have time to watch it live, because I was watching recorded stuff. I think I'm in a rut.

[Agent]

I believe you only need a TV License to watch BBC programs live, i think the sports channels are except if you watch them on or via a computer.

You need a licence to watch any TV, regardless of channel, if it's being broadcast live. This is true for watching it on your PC too!

I don't have a licence, because I don't watch live TV. Not that this stops the TV Licensing treating me like a criminal because I've stopped responding to their threats.

You can find the ins and outs here: http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/. There is also a decent free 'book' on common misconceptions and how to deal with the goons if they come knocking your door.

[cheesyboy]

I went without TV for a few months after I moved house last year and discovered that freeview wasn't picked up there. Coupled with a 10Gb/month download limit (unlimited 00:00 - 08:00), I somply didn't watch much TV at all.

Didn't miss it myself (other than the olympics, which I watched some of the highlights for on catchup), but my wife eventually decided, in the run up to xmas, that we needed to get connected. I still don't really watch it, other than an occasional bit of Family Guy/American Dad before bed

[Willzzz]

Most of the sport isn't broadcast live though is it?

e.g.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/20020369

[Demigod]

I like to watch Doctor Who and the odd other program on the beeb so yes I have a tv licence. Other than that I dont watch much TV. I do use the BBC website a lot though. Is that worth £145 a year perhaps not but it does allow the rest of the bbc to function and Id rather have it available than not.

[Willzzz]

So wait an hour and watch Doctor Who on iPlayer.

[Saracen]

You need a licence to watch any TV, regardless of channel, if it's being broadcast live. This is true for watching it on your PC too!

I don't have a licence, because I don't watch live TV. Not that this stops the TV Licensing treating me like a criminal because I've stopped responding to their threats.

You can find the ins and outs here: http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/. There is also a decent free 'book' on common misconceptions and how to deal with the goons if they come knocking your door.

Agreed, other than to add that it isn't "watching" broadcast TV that needs a licence, but "receiving". Most notably, that would inclyde recirding the broadcast transmission, but then watching it later.

Also, a little care needs to be taken with "broadcast live". Generally, that means something like a sports event .... or a political funeral ... beung transmitted "live" as it happens. The licence is broader than than. The licence is if you watch (or record) a broadcast transmission when it's being broadcast, even if it's pre-recorded, like, say Eastenders. Streaming it later isn"t receiving "broadcast".

And yes, I pay the TV licence.

[Aftermath]

There is something good about sitting back and getting advert-free television, over several channels, for £145.50 a year.

I have lived without it in the past, and if I lived on my own I could do so again. However I think there's enough decent BBC content to make it worthwhile.

Gotta say that the rules about needing a TV license are quite ridiculous. http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.u...rogs/tvlicence
iPlayer for catchup is fine? But the content on iPlayer is what is funded by having a TV license. Ridiculous.

There may not be any adverts for products etc but you still have to watch adverts for their own shows which in my eyes still ruins the experience of the programme you are watching. Any stoppage to promote something is an advert in my eyes.

[crossy]

QOTW: Do you pay the TV Licence fee?

Hell yes. I'm a big fan of stuff like Click, Radio 6, and a host of TV programmes (Dr Who, various cooking show, stuff on BBC 4). And I'm upright enough (or stupid enough - delete as appropriate) to believe that this has to be paid for in some way.

To be honest, while some folks are saying that they're hardly watching BBC these days, with me it's ITV - I can't remember the last time I watched anything on ITV's 1-3.

I believe you only need a TV License to watch BBC programs live, i think the sports channels are except if you watch them on or via a computer.

A quick overview of what the license fee pays for is available here. And actually according to TV Licensing:

You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.

Note that it doesn't say "watch BBC" so you can't use the "but I only watch Channel 4" defence. Interesting though that if you only listen to the radio then that's free.

There may not be any adverts for products etc but you still have to watch adverts for their own shows which in my eyes still ruins the experience of the programme you are watching. Any stoppage to promote something is an advert in my eyes.

To true - those darned "coming soon" adverts are getting really intrusive - heck, they've even started putting them over the end credits on the programmes themselves. I also really dislike the way that BBC Breakfast is also used as a "infomercial" for Strictly etc.

[Myss_tree]

Still have a TV license but its likely to be my last, there simply is nothing that i am desperate to watch live anymore.
The BBC needs to adapt to the modern world and go 'pay per view' for each individual programme as i am not sold on the satellite 'pay per channel(s)' option either.
If (for example) Top Gear was available to watch for a fee of say 50p per episode it would be much better and you would no longer be paying for all the dross such as Eastenders.
If i can find a decent 42" - 50" plasma or LED panel with plenty of inputs but no tuner for less money than a television tuner flat panel then thats the way i will go.