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TV Licence article Discussion

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Comments

  • Nick_C said:
    jamesrcmd said:
    This is how to avoid giving TV Licensing your details:
    I recently received two letters from TV Licensing addressed to “The Occupier.” To avoid giving them my personal details, I wrote on the letters stating that I don’t need a TV licence and sent them back by second-class post. I then received a letter confirming that my address has been added to the No TV Licence database.
    I phoned them a few years ago, withholding my number, and told them no licence was needed.  I get follow up letter every couple of years, and again phone to confirm.  

    Don't fill in the on line form.  You have to give them personal data, which they do not have a right to collect.  You also have to make false statements, because the form is worded badly. 

    I get generic "to the legal occupier" letters every so often asking to re-confirm my status which I ignore. There's no legal requirement to tell them you don't need a licence. IMO the safest method is to not engage with them. Don't fill out a declaration, don't phone/mail them, and politely close the door if they ever make an appearance at your home. They have no right to force you to say/do anything without a warrant, and even with one if you don't need a licence then there's nothing they can actually do about it.
  • pphillips
    pphillips Posts: 1,635 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I found the questions to be a bit presumptive in the preamble, often starting with a sentiment along the lines of 'the BBC is great...'

    The news headlines regarding alternative funding such as adverts or subscription were a bit misleading to me. These options are in addition to the licence fee, not replacing it. There is no option to select abolishing the fee.
    There is an opportunity at the end of chapter 4 to add your comments about funding the BBC. I wrote my opinion here that the BBC should be funded by subscriptions
  • Cornucopia
    Cornucopia Posts: 16,718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 20 December 2025 at 5:38PM
    I filled in my response yesterday.   I agree that it's far from being a balanced public consultation exercise, but there are several areas for free-form comments, which can be used to put forward whatever views respondents wish to.

    It takes around 20 minutes to complete overall, and its relentless pro-BBC stance can be off-putting.   OTOH, getting a chance to voice one's views on the BBC is a relatively rare thing.
  • silverwhistle
    silverwhistle Posts: 4,192 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 23 December 2025 at 11:19AM
    I'm far keener on the male chicken-up rather than the conspiracy theory of life..

    Edit: didn't like the usual term for a male chicken...
  • Nick_C
    Nick_C Posts: 7,678 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Home Insurance Hacker!
    I'm far keener on the male chicken-up rather than the conspiracy theory of life..

    Edit: didn't like the usual term for a male chicken...
    You mean a fowl up?
  • Cornucopia
    Cornucopia Posts: 16,718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Coq-o-van?
  • Nick_C said:
    I'm far keener on the male chicken-up rather than the conspiracy theory of life..

    Edit: didn't like the usual term for a male chicken...
    You mean a fowl up?

    Very good, but I do like alliteration..
  • Well, I received my first letter from TV Licensing addressed to "Current Occupier", even though I confirmed "No Licence Required" on their website about a month ago. They're doing the usual threat of an investigation unless I contact them to buy a licence (that I don't need) or update details (which I don't need to do).

    I feel a formal complaint to Capita and copying in my MP coming on - it;s a good job I keep copies of everything...
  • Cornucopia
    Cornucopia Posts: 16,718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 29 December 2025 at 2:04PM
    Well, I received my first letter from TV Licensing addressed to "Current Occupier", even though I confirmed "No Licence Required" on their website about a month ago. They're doing the usual threat of an investigation unless I contact them to buy a licence (that I don't need) or update details (which I don't need to do).

    I feel a formal complaint to Capita and copying in my MP coming on - it;s a good job I keep copies of everything...
    BlackBeltBarrister has pretty much the same scenario in his most recent TVL video.   He's considering legal options.
  • mr._prude
    mr._prude Posts: 175 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Regarding live TV, there are alot of apps that allow you to watch tv channels that are non UK broadcasted terrestrial channels.

    Some channels seem to be just spooling episodes of a series continually. FAST( free add supported TV)

    Samsung TV Plus app 
    Plex TV app 
    Pluto TV app 
    LG TV / Xumo app  
    Rakuten TV app

    Do you still need a TV licence to watch these?
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