TV Licence article Discussion

fiftyfiveandfit

My licence is due 31st May and I just know I cannot afford it so I intend to go for perhaps a month may be two without watching the TV I have. If I decide to take a 2 month TV break does my licence become due say for instance 31st July or do they simply back date it to 31st May ? Do I inform them of this break I am taking ?

Thanks

Cornucopia

They have a tendency to try to backdate licences when there is a break in coverage.

I would tend to inform them of your break, and if you decide you want to renew, do so at a Paypoint outlet. This is reported to be effective in starting a licence without backdating.

[Deleted User]

Or, if you live with someone, who has a different surname, take out the licence in their name.

As for letting them know, I personally wouldn't, as they won't believe you anyway, and will insist they'll have to search your home, to check if you are lying.

My policy is one of absolutely no contact with them, ever.

Paul_Varjak

If you wish to verify a TV Licensing Visiting Officer before entering into any discussions or allowing them into your home, you can call TV Licensing's Verification Line on: 0300 790 6046, which is manned 24 hours/day.

Before calling the number, you should look at the TV Licence Officer's ID, verifying the photograph and noting down their name and last four digits of their VPN (a number printed on their ID card)

Then call TV licensing on 0300 790 6046 and give them the TV Licence Officer's name. They should then provide you with the last 4 digits of the TV Licence Officers VPN which you can then verify.

TV Licensing also operate a 'password' system. To set up a password, call TV Licensing Customer Relations on: 0300 790 6030. They will ask for your phone number. When someone calls back, you can agree a password, and this will be passed to the Visiting Officer.

TV Licensing say that passwords will only be issued to the elderly, lone female parents with children, physically or mentally handicapped, housebound, hearing impaired etc.

TV Licensing does not appear to make any of this information available on its website. Given that there are bogus house callers, including those who impersonate TV Licensing Officers, I think more awareness should be given to this by TV Licensing.

bettycam

I'm considering cancelling my TV licence and only watching catch up as this is preferred anyway but the only thing that worries me is when I switch on the TV it goes directly to live TV. Is there anyway to avoid this? I have a you view box. Do you think they can clobber you with a fine for the few seconds it takes to change live TV to catch up????

[Deleted User]

Could you not just unplug the aerial?

Cornucopia

Generally speaking, the aerial needs to be disconnected for a legally-licence-free setup.

There are exceptions for radio reception.

Andy_L

Cornucopia wrote: »

Generally speaking, the aerial needs to be disconnected for a legally-licence-free setup.

There are exceptions for radio reception.

No it doesn't, although in bettycam's situation it would solve her problem.

Cornucopia

In my opinion...

it's more straightforward for the aerial to be disconnected in a legally-licence-free situation.

showmethemoneyuk

The annoying thing about having no license is the fact that you will likely get annual visits or far more from the (B)ig (B)oys (C)lub tv vans. There is a tv license here, but if I stayed alone I would not have one, as I barely watch live tv anymore. I hate soaps, and if reality shows are all thats regarded as entertainment, its time to switch off, lol. I am listening to music and on the net when Im at home. If I watch anything its dvds, no live streams (aside from perhaps earthcam-which doesnt count for needing a license-yet!). The internet is also a far better, faster source for the latest news.

What is unclear with the moneysavingexpert article is that although it mentions that they cannot enter your home without warrant, and you can legally own a tv and not pay any license, even if it is hooked up to live broadcast equipment (eg has built-in freeview) that you do not watch, it doesnt mention whether you have to prove you dont watch it (eg its just for dvds,games) or if they have to prove they do. This is what we really need to know. Guilty until proven innocent seems to be quite common in our current media climate. If you let them into your house and they find a tv hooked up, despite them not being able to prove that you watch live broadcasts on it, it would seem that most inspectors will just write up their report as guilty, finding yet another live tv license dodger, and give you that £1000 fine.
Why do I assume that is most likely? Searching youtube for tv owners that have recorded bullyboy inspectors at the door gives me all I need to know. Many of them dont know or cannot correctly explain what the license is, and just state that because you own a tv, you must have one. Perhaps the only way around it is to simply not let them in, but what happens if they return with that warrant?

I dont think the current generation are as accepting towards the 'tv' license. The bbc has relied on nothing but the trustworthy public into paying for one, and naming it 'tv' rather than 'live broadcast license' has confused the public for years into believing that they must have a license to own or use a tv, when it is not. The government will have to either up the taxes to aid the multi million making BBC, a company that makes an absurd amount for its type.

http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annual-review/annual-review-2012.aspx
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/bbc-pays-274-stars-sixfigure-salary-6421100.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/9697348/New-BBC-boss-Lord-Hall-to-earn-532000-by-drawing-pension-on-top-of-salary.html

The youngest generation are watching more tv than ever-its just not all live or through a television. So no live broadcast (sorry, tv) license required. If hd computer screens,tablets and mobiles with internet fully replaced all tvs in future, would the public be so inclined to still pay for a 'tv' license? Perhaps they would simply rename and update it, eg to a more expensive 'live broadcast & general internet usage' license, if the license doesnt disappear and get taken off everybodys salary automatically, live tv watcher or not. The bbc have xmas bonuses to pay after all Im not sure how well an 'internet usage license' would go down... countries such as the US likely laugh at requiring a license for tv, never mind the internet.