Scrap TV license fees?

[me283]

Originally Posted by scastle

According to the TV licencing company, you do not need a licence if you do not wath or record TV (so if you are only using the TV to watch DVDs, pre-recorded videos or a games console you don't need a licence). You do need to notify them in writing. however. (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link1)
, but you do need a licence if you are planning to record any television (terrestrial or satellite/cable) http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link2

Well that seems a bit more reasonable, but I wonder how many people know about it? Let me get this right though... if you record a SKY TV programme, you still have to pay the licence fee? Hmmm, I'm sure there's logic in there somewhere...

Originally Posted by scastle

According to the TV licencing company, you do not need a licence if you do not wath or record TV (so if you are only using the TV to watch DVDs, pre-recorded videos or a games console you don't need a licence). You do need to notify them in writing. however. (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link1)
, but you do need a licence if you are planning to record any television (terrestrial or satellite/cable) http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link2

I think TV Licencing is being a little disingenuous here. I do not believe there is any legal obligation for you to confirm in writing to them if you don't require a TV licence. I think it more likely that they want you to do this because it makes it easier for them to keep tabs on who doesn't have a licence.

Note the difference in language between FAQ1 and 2 ... in 2, they start quoting legislation to make clear your obligation. They don't do that at 1. I believe the reason they don't is that there is no such legislation.

There is an issue with the way the TV licence people operate. There are numerous cases where they have hounded people who do not own a TV because they assume everyone does.

EDIT: For info: http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1394167,00.html Of course it would be Guardian readers that don't own tellys!

I have emailed TV Licencing and challenged them to name the legislation that empowers them to require unlicenced homes to declare themselves. We shall see what they say when forced to speak in explicit terms instead of muddy statements that imply they have powers that I don't believe they have ....

[ian@huth]

Reception of TV via the internet is an area that will become more of an issue as broadband internet speeds increase.

At the moment you need a TV licence even if you own no other TV reception equipment if you watch live TV originating in the UK on your PC. You don't need a licence if the broadcast originates outside the UK or if the TV programme is from an archive.

[Paul K]

From the bbc

The BBC's royal charter will be renewed and its licence fee kept in place for at least another 10 years, a government Green Paper has confirmed.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell unveiled plans for the BBC's new charter, which sets its role, functions, funding and structure, in the paper on Wednesday.
The fee was still "the fairest way to fund the BBC", she told parliament.
And she said the BBC governors would be replaced by two bodies - a BBC Trust and an Executive Board.

HOW LICENCE FEE IS SPENT
Viewers pay just over £10 per month, which is spent in the following way:
£5 - terrestrial TV
£1 - digital
£1.20 - radio
£1.50 - local TV and radio
£0.30 - Online
£1 - transmission and collection of licence fee

Originally Posted by Bill C

Only in this country can you be forced by law to pay for a product that you dont use or want .

I don't drive a car. My bicycle causes minimal damage to the roads. Why should I pay taxes, part of which go to maintain highways?

I don't go to school. I don't have children who will go to school. Why should I pay taxes which go to maintain schools?

Etc etc etc...

[NitroNutter]

Originally Posted by Graham

I don't drive a car. My bicycle causes minimal damage to the roads. Why should I pay taxes, part of which go to maintain highways?

I don't go to school. I don't have children who will go to school. Why should I pay taxes which go to maintain schools?

Etc etc etc...

1 you dont pay car tax for a bike but you still use the road. granted less damaging than other vehicles hence the no vehicle licence. I only do about 3-4000 miles a year in my car but still pay the same car tax as someone who does 30,000 miles. Car tax is yet another Extorted annual set fee which really should just be added to fuel tax and would be much fairer while the disc displayed in the windscreen should be an insurance disc which cannot be obtained without a valid mot.
2 schooling is a pretty poor comparison which is deemed nessecary by our society than bbc tv radio etc which is entertainment and not nessecary for the community.
It should be an optional subscription, the only reason anyone would say it shouldnt is those that want a cheep ride of entertainment subsidised by those that have to pay for something they dont use but have no choice if they do use the alternatives. BBC could not offer the same quality shows they currently broadcast based on a £10 a month subscription that is optional therefore subscribers would need to pay a good £20-£30 a month to keep BBC alive and kicking and its governers (or now to be trust) in the livestyle they have become acustomed too, a lifestyle which 8/10 people could only dream about.

There are two possible words for the TV licence, 1 its another TAX or 2 its legalised Extortion.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Chris T

I think TV Licencing is being a little disingenuous here. I do not believe there is any legal obligation for you to confirm in writing to them if you don't require a TV licence. I think it more likely that they want you to do this because it makes it easier for them to keep tabs on who doesn't have a licence.

Note the difference in language between FAQ1 and 2 ... in 2, they start quoting legislation to make clear your obligation. They don't do that at 1. I believe the reason they don't is that there is no such legislation.

I was just quoting from their site, Don't know how legal what they are asking is..
__________________

Originally Posted by NitroNutter

2 schooling is a pretty poor comparison which is deemed nessecary by our society than bbc tv radio etc which is entertainment and not nessecary for the community.

Perhaps a better way to put it would be "My child goes to private school. Why should I pay for state schools as I do not use them".

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Graham

I don't drive a car. My bicycle causes minimal damage to the roads. Why should I pay taxes, part of which go to maintain highways?

I don't go to school. I don't have children who will go to school. Why should I pay taxes which go to maintain schools?

Etc etc etc...

Schools and roads I'd say were far more essential than an ageing broadcasting company who do nothing but bleat about a lack of funds (a chap who interviewed me for a job at the BBC even managed it). I'd say we owe some kind of social responsibility for education and transport, I certainly can't say the same about the BBC.

[altis]

Oh goodee - another 'Do I need a TV licence' thread.

Try here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=19340
or here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=16550
or here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=805

Oh and BTW, it's a licence (noun) and to license (verb) and hence licensing (gerund?) and licensable (F.K.).

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by altis

Oh goodee - another 'Do I need a TV licence' thread.

Try here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=19340

Oh and BTW, it's a licence (noun) and to license (verb) and hence licensing (gerund?) and licensable (F.K.).

Does it really matter how people spell it? It's not detracting from the point of the discussion.

[altis]

Originally Posted by Bifta

Does it really matter how people spell it?

No.

Originally Posted by NitroNutter

1 you dont pay car tax for a bike but you still use the road. granted less damaging than other vehicles hence the no vehicle licence.

So if you don't have a car, you don't pay tax on it.

If you don't want to be taxed on your TV (which is, of course, what the licence is) don't own one.

[ian@huth]

To be very pedantic about the TV licence fee you would have to pay £121 for a licence even if you didn't have any TV, video recorder, DVD recorder, etc but had a PC and logged onto the www.qvcuk.com website and clicked on the "watch QVC live" button.