TV licensing

[manilaseagull]

I have just been sent 2 final reminders from TV licensing even though I have lived in Manila since April..

I stopped the direct debit (quarterly) in march so that would have covered me until June....

Sarcastic reply sent saying its not easy to receive British TV in Manila.....

Will they understand?

 

[Djmiles]

No, the TV license people are thick as S**t.

First year at University I must have told them 3/4 times I did not have a TV and would not be requiring a license, however they still threatened with the usual "Final warning: etc etc".

Useless *******

 

[Seagull Stew]

Before moving to New Zealand I rented in London while I put my flat in Bexhill on the market. I had taken everything out of the flat including the TV so it was basically a vacant possession.
It was around the same time that I was due to renew my TV licence and when I received a reminder I contacted them to tell them that I did not need to renew as I had just moved out and there was no TV there.
The guy I spoke to asked me how long I thought that the property would be empty for and I responded, "I guess it will be for however long it takes to sell."
He told me that he can only put it on hold for 2 months and then demand notices will then be sent again!
I said, "That's fine, because I'll be on the other side of the World by then whether the property has sold or not!"
It was actually another 6 months before the property actually sold. I wonder how many threatening letters and court orders were sent to that address as I didn't bother getting anything forwarded to me.

 

[beorhthelm]

there does seem to be a mindset at the licencing authority that no one can live without a TV. but on the other hand, if you have never had one or theres not been a licence paid at the address previously, they ignore the house like it doesnt exist on their database. they also struggle with the idea that someone else in the household pay the licence if they get you on their system as a non payer. all abit stupid and bureaucratic.

 

[Evil Edna]

Since I phoned up and said I don't have a TV, they ain't bothered me again.

 

[johnnyjetlag]

As much as I admire the BBC's output, I do think it's time the licence fee was scrapped. Surely getting a criminal record for something as silly as not licensing your tellybox is stupid. And the cost of enforcing the law must be quite significant. I hate adverts but not sure I want to pay £140 quid a year to stop having them...

 

[brunswick]

the bbc is funded by the EU so is not a public service...

THEREFORE...you dont need to pay.

print out the letter at tpuc.org - send it to the bbc - never pay licence again.

wake up people.

 

[sten_super]

That is possibly the most ridiculous website I have ever seen posted on NSC. And I've seen a lot of idiotic websites...

 

[brunswick]

can you be more specific please sten?

you paying a licence fee to a non-public service is ridiculous is it not?

 

[sten_super]

Where shall I start...

It's definitely not an agenda-driven website, is it?
"NOW THAT THE NEW INCREASE in the BBC Licence Fee has been approved by the Very Dodgy Dimwits of Westminster, it is now revealed that the BBC has been receiving tens of millions of pounds every year from the Sinister Dictators of Europe - without the knowledge of the British Public!"

"THE BBC IS REGULATED by a Royal Charter which specifically requires the BBC to keep clear of all political bias of any kind, and the records of Mr Mote show that the BBC has received vast sums of money from agencies of the European Union in return for BBC support of this Union: This Contract of Evil is contrary to both the Spirit & the Letter of the BBC Charter, which has the force of law."
The records of Mr Mote show nothing of the kind. They may show that the BBC receives money from the EU (what public body doesn't?!), but I'd like to see the evidence that "in return the BBC support this Union".

The idea of corruption (let's not beat around the bush, that's what the website is suggesting) has absolutely no evidence, aside from the fact that the BBC receives money. It also suggests that acknowledging the existence of the EU is treason! Are you trying to tell me that's a serious viewpoint?

It's also worth noting, in the comments below, that someone received a reply from the BBC. The corporation receives loans from the European Investment Bank, and that these go towards funding BBC Worldwide, a seperate entity from the BBC that I pay a license fee for. The mere suggestion that an established pan-European bank would demand editorial control in exchange for a loan facility is patently completely ridiculous.

Having a loan facility is NOT the same as being 'funded' by the EU. Even if it was funded by the EU, what difference would it make? That's akin to saying 'oh it's funded by the government (which it effectively is, as a committee of MPs decide the license fee increases), so it must be biased in favour of the government', which simply isn't true.

I could present a list of websites which seem to explain and justify any viewpoint you like. Hell earlier this week there was a website run by people that think the earth is flat! Just because a website exists doesn't mean they are right.

 

[Badger]

Maybe they could reduce the licence fee by cutting down on the amount of paper and postage they waste sending out stupid warning letters, no wonder the BBC can't afford live sport.

 

[Nibble]

If you don't want to pay your tv licence just never contact them. They have no special radars or such shite, they just go off their records. Even if they do contact you you can always fobb them off until you move (if you live rental).

 

[clippedgull]

Maybe with all these digital channels that are now in existence it wouldn't be beyond the BBC to have a two tier system. A BBC network free of licence but carrying commercial advertising and a BBC network as it is now, but encrypted unless you have a digital licence to view it.

 

[Cian]

the bbc is funded by the EU so is not a public service...

THEREFORE...you dont need to pay.

print out the letter at tpuc.org - send it to the bbc - never pay licence again.

wake up people.

The BBC is NOT funded by the EU. Its funded by the licence fee and its (minor) commercial ventures such as "selling" BBC1 / 2 to Sky Ireland and Irish and Dutch cable companies; magazines and its stake in UKTV.

Come back when you have a clue, thanks.

 

[johnnyjetlag]

Maybe with all these digital channels that are now in existence it wouldn't be beyond the BBC to have a two tier system. A BBC network free of licence but carrying commercial advertising and a BBC network as it is now, but encrypted unless you have a digital licence to view it.

I think that's they way the BBC has to go. Asking people to pay for its service rather than demanding people pay.

 

[bhaexpress]

I remember one year I bought my license and kept getting demands for me to buy a renewal. Several letters were sent explaining I had one but sure enough anyway I still got a visit one evening. On producing my license I wasn't too polite.

 

[supaseagull]

the bbc is funded by the EU so is not a public service...

WTF are you talking about?!?!?

The BBC gains two thirds of it's revenue from the TV licencse.

 

[Storer68]

The licence is for the use of a television set that is capable of receiving a broadcast signal.

So even if you only watch pay Tv you still have to pay for the licence to watch the television lawfully.

Officlally the licence fee does not pay for the BBC. The BBC receives, by settlement, an identical amount from the Exchequer as is raised from the licence. In the same way that your bank enables you to access your salary from their generally held cash funds.

 

[desprateseagull]

big brother theory, related to the push for digital tv..

if no licence, could they block your viewing, by sending a 'viewing barred' signal to your box, alongside the usual streaming,,.?

btw, does ITV get any part of the licence fee?

making i PAYG for everyone imo would be a bad idea- a lot of people just wont bother, so losing more ££ for the beeb than the nonpayers do at present?

 

[Cian]

big brother theory, related to the ush for digital tv.. if no licence, could they block your viewing, by sending a 'viewing barred' signal to your box, alongside the usual streaming,,.?

Using the deployed DTT ("Freeview") technology in the UK - absolutely impossible.