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An anonymous contributor told the Mirror how they would not be paying for their TV License again, and they’re disgusted that their elderly parents are not exempt from the fee
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TV Licenses have been causing quite a stir – from price hikes for an already expensive service to people cancelling due to BBC-related controversies.
Many have taken to X to share their opinion on the TV License, sharing: “We need to scrap the BBC TV License Fee. Who is with me on this?”
Someone else wrote: “Cancel your TV License. We all have a choice here! I cancelled mine a year ago, and I really don’t miss it (other than Gavin and Stacey). The BBC should not be funded.”
It seems that more people than ever are actively cancelling their TV License or not renewing it. But with threatening letters sent to the doors of non-payers, some feel bullied into paying the fee for fear of breaking the law.
The letter non-payers receive reads: “You are breaking the law if you – or anyone else at this address – watches or records live TV without a license. On any device. This includes all TV channels, pay TV services like Sky, and live TV on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video. You also need a TV License to be covered for anything on BBC iPlayer”.
They threaten those who do not want to pay for the TV License, sharing: “Your address has been passed to the Enforcement Team in your area. Full details of what to expect during the visit will be sent to you shortly”. They also threaten prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. On the TV License website, they share that they “have a fleet of detector vans that can detect the use of TV receiving equipment at specifically targeted addresses within minutes.”
A case against the TV licence
So how are people taking action? An anonymous contributor told the Mirror they will not be paying for their TV License again, as they do not believe it is a fair charge. They are also horrified that their parents are expected to pay for it despite the fact that one of them is unwell and they are both in their late 70s.
If you are struggling to pay for your license, the TV License website says that they’ll “try to help” if you call them, signposting them to other services. The 44-year-old has not paid for their license in a year – and they claim not to have received any threatening letters yet.
They believe the rules surrounding the TV License and what you need one for are “murky,” and they do not bother to watch live TV anyway. They said that their parents cannot pay, as they are already “struggling” due to their mother’s myeloma.
“We don’t want to support the BBC and don’t want our money going to them, and the price is too much,” they said. They believe a TV License is a “waste of time” and it isn’t for people like them or their parents.
“It’s been in the news recently so much for not good publicity, and I feel it’s biased. I don’t trust the BBC, and I feel they have an agenda,” they added.
“Nothing” should replace the charge in their opinion, and they think that watching TV should be free. “I just think it’s wrong how they feel they can get away charging people so much, and the elderly who have worked all their lives shouldn’t have to pay,” they fumed.
It’s important to note that state pensioners aged over 74 and receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free TV license. Discounts are also offered for the blind and those who live in care homes or sheltered accommodation.
A case for the TV licence
However, there are some people who back the TV License, and understand why it’s so expensive. Loris Petro, Marketing Manager of Kratom Earth, says that he “genuinely thinks the TV License is excellent value for money”.
He shared: “I mean, where else can you get such a massive range of content for what works out to be pennies a day? I’m talking about the BBC’s documentaries that dig deep into topics I’d never explore otherwise, like those wild nature series narrated by David Attenborough.
“My money’s going toward those jaw-dropping visuals and stories that stick with me long after the credits roll. There are also dramas and comedies! I still rave about that one show, Fleabag, to anyone who’ll listen. It’s raw, hilarious, and doesn’t pull punches.
“Knowing my license fee helps fund creators who take risks like that makes me appreciate it more. Even the news coverage keeps me hooked. They’ve got people on the ground everywhere, giving me details I can’t find scrolling through my phone.”
He also praised the radio stations, saying he listens to BBC Radio 6 while he “brainstorms marketing ideas”. “Sure, it’s not perfect, and I don’t watch everything they make, but I see exactly where my cash is going. It’s funding quality I can’t get anywhere else, and that’s worth it to me,” he praised.
What’s next for the TV License?
According to Bloomberg, ministers are debating whether to extend the fee to all streaming platform users to plug the BBC funding gap. This means that those who pay for services like Netflix and only watch those in their homes could be forced to pay anyway, even if this is how they’ve been avoiding paying a TV License.
Ministers are also said to be looking at charging those who listen to BBC radio, and a tiered license fee could be introduced to help lower-income homes. The TV license fee currently costs £169.50 but is rising to £174.50 this April. It raises around £3.7 billion a year and accounted for 65% of the BBC’s total income in 2022/23.
What does TV Licensing say about this?
TV Licensing spokesperson said: “A TV Licence is needed to watch live content on streaming services, watch or record a TV programme on any channel and when using BBC iPlayer.
“It covers audiences to watch over 400 live TV channels, plus live content on all streaming services. Free TV Licences are available for those aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit, ensuring that older viewers most in need are supported.”
What do you think should be done? Let us know in the comments…
