BBC TV Licence fee (Freeview)

davelewis1

I live less than 10 miles from the capital city and yet can't get Freeview. I get so fed up with adverts telling me how wonderful it all is. I want it but can't get it unless I subscribe to SKY (no way would I give money to an Aussie who lives in America and wants to f** Britain over). I can only get BBC 1, 2, ITV and S4C. I've never seen Channel 4 or 5 or any Freeview channels. I think I should pay 4/35th's or whatever of the licence fee.

I live 10 miles from BBC Wales HQ (Cardiff) I might add.

rygon

from what i have heard you only pay for bbc1 and 2 ...the rest are free (as they have adverts on..and bbc 1 and 2 do not..supposedly) but as you can recieve these channels via your tv then you have to pay the license. ive heard you can get a blocker on bbc1/2 thus you dont have to pay a tv licence but it seems to much hassle. on the note of sky...it definately aint as good as it makes out...only simpsons is worth watching lol

paulcdb

yes, but you at least have 100 or something channels to flick through when there's nothing on ;D

mrtickle

ive heard you can get a blocker on bbc1/2 thus you dont have to pay a tv licence but it seems to much hassle.

Whoever told you that was lieing. If you watch any broadcasts you need a licence, sorry.

rygon

yep my bad
heres the actual quote for a tv license

"A television licence is legal permission to install and use television equipment to receive or record television broadcast signals. Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, you need a television licence to receive or record television programmes. This applies if you use equipment to receive or record BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, satellite, or cable programs. If you are watching 'Sky', or any other satellite service, controlled from within the UK, you must have a television licence.", M. W. D. Kimball Customer Services.

davelewis1

So confirmation that it is one HUGE rip off then. What about customer choice?

mrtickle

No way, "Freeview" is not a rip-off. It isn't a suscription service and you don't pay any extra for it.

If you want to say anything is a rip-off you'd have to accuse the TV licence. But 25 years ago the TV licence got you 3 TV channels, now it gets far more so in value for money terms it is much better.

It's a shame you can't receive digital terrestrial. (You do have the option of FTA satellite without subscribing to Sky). Any reason why you can't pick up Freeview from the Mendip transmitter? I used to live in Penarth and it was far better than Wenvoe signal for us. And we got proper Channel 4 too. You may find that a new aerial will get you Freeview after all.
HTH

davelewis1

We can't get Freeview - this is my point.

ben500

Where exactly are you I am a Cardiffian and can probably offer advice on the antenna you need.
Is it ponty by any chance?

davelewis1

Yes, Ponty, but why should I have to buy a new antennae? My parents in Cilfynydd and can't get it even with a new arial.

COS

As anyone given any thought to what they are going to do with all there obsolete TV's when the big switch is thrown and every one will need a digital receiver/decoder, pointless buying a Portable tv or Video unless your going to buy a decoder. >:(