TV Licence article Discussion

jonesjw

There is no reason to compel TV owners to fund the voice of socialism by the TV license.
The technology for scrambling signals & operating a subscription business is well established, so the consumer should have a choice.

Also, there is no reason why all the national taxation funded radio stations should be operated by the BBC either. Even if one accepts taxation funding, then the right to operate the channels should be put out to tender every 15 years or so.

sidey_why

hi all, first post so sorry if it's been covered cos i haven't pored over all 12 pages...

it seems there's some doubt over whether they can detect my use of a TV to watch broadcast programmes. If they can do at least that, can they actually tell the difference between the colour TV and the black and white set that i may or may not have? For practically a third of the cost why not buy the b&w license?

shinjukumaster

sidey_why wrote: »

it seems there's some doubt over whether they can detect my use of a TV to watch broadcast programmes.

http://www.tvlicensing.biz/televisioncloakingdevice/index.php

Andy_L

sidey_why wrote: »

hi all, first post so sorry if it's been covered cos i haven't pored over all 12 pages...

it seems there's some doubt over whether they can detect my use of a TV to watch broadcast programmes. If they can do at least that, can they actually tell the difference between the colour TV and the black and white set that i may or may not have? For practically a third of the cost why not buy the b&w license?

Technically it is possible, however it's cheaper & easier to use the database of license payers/purchasers TVs & assume that most people have a TV.
Anyone who suddenly changes to a B&W license is going to be investigated - can you even buy a B&W telly anymore?

Volcano

sidey_why wrote: »

it seems there's some doubt over whether they can detect my use of a TV to watch broadcast programmes.

As Andy says, technically possible, but in reality this doesn't happen. Can they tell the difference between you watching live programmes or a DVD? Or your 19" lcd telly and your 19" lcd pc monitor? Or your tv and your next door neighbour's tv separated by 12" of masonry? Not a hope this is going to happen. It's reported that no one has EVER been prosecuted on the evidence of these mythical 'detector vans'; the inspectors rely solely on people saying 'it's a fair cop guv' if they knock on your door.

Apparently, submitting tv 'detector van' evidence in court would mean revealing how they 'work'. If the big secret is that they DON'T work, then TV Licensing won't submit it as evidence (so they don't!). Buying a B&W license is the same as phoning them up and saying you don't have a TV; they'll send someone round to check. If however you just ignore their threatening letters, they're less likely to send someone round to a property that may well be unoccupied. Their 'database' is merely a list of unlicensed properties and names and addresses of people who've recently bought a TV, recorder etc. and that's the only method they'll use to justify a visit. The guy at http://www.bbctvlicence.com/ shows this isn't very likely though. As mentioned, if they visit, shut the door in their face and go out and by a licence: who knows how many years it could be until they get around to visiting you? (if ever!)

This guy here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197531/Licence-rebel-prosecuted-BBC-finally-tackles-TV-fee-refuseniks.html
has not had a licence for 7 years. The ONLY reason he's being prosecuted is because he's making a stand (and admitted to using a TV without a licence). If he'd just shut the door in their face and went out and bought a licence, he would have had 7 years free telly.

harryhound

I don't want to encourage you all, but I once worked with a redundant TV detector man.
He reconned that there were no-go parts of our fair country, where the investigators simply could not find the owners of unlicenced TV's even when they hunted in pairs.

Can't pay, won't pay: not here mate, not me mate, don't ask me mate, owner's gone abroad mate..................set the dog on you mate...........

There are maps that show the position of every phone mast in the country (you would be amazed at how may there are) on the internet.
I challenge the Government/BBC to publish the same sort of map for TV licences so us willing payers can shop the tax avoiders for a commission.:rotfl:

Does this country get more like the former East Germany each day?

AdrianW2

Andy_L wrote: »

can you even buy a B&W telly anymore?

Yup.

[Replies have to be longer than that.]

hamper

Hi there. Hope this is the right thread.

I have been paying my TV licence since I moved into my flat, 2 years ago. The payments have been 6 months in advance the whole time. Since we rarely watch TV, when we move flat we're planning to stop watching it altogether and get rid of the licence.

So - does anyone know how I will get my 6 months' refund back from them?

derrick

hamper wrote: »

Hi there. Hope this is the right thread.

I have been paying my TV licence since I moved into my flat, 2 years ago. The payments have been 6 months in advance the whole time. Since we rarely watch TV, when we move flat we're planning to stop watching it altogether and get rid of the licence.

So - does anyone know how I will get my 6 months' refund back from them?

REFUNDS.........

hamper

Thank you! I should have figured I could find out about it on their website, shouldn't I? Sorry for making you do it!