[r+lchick]

I have so little time now, I have very seriously thought of giving up my tv licence.  In two weeks I have watched 2 DVDs and that is it.  So why pay approx £14 a month for nothing.  There are some programmes I do miss, but I would have missed them anyway.  Anyone else thought of doing the same?   

[doganjo]

Even if you have a TV in the house you are liable for the licence.  If you give it up you won't have a TV to watch your DVDs on, although you could use your computer.  I feel the same - rarely watch TV now!

[xnbacon]

We've not had one for ages.  Problem is you end up compulsively viewing forums!!
I thought there was some move to extend TV licences, so required for computers, or maybe computers able to receive TV?  Or possibly computers with broadband?  Anyone any clearer on this?

[xnbacon]

Currently, though, if your pc can pick up programmes as they are being shown you will be liable for the licence.  (according to TV Licensing site)

[Fluffywelshsheep]

are you not liable for the non-comercial radio as well on a tv licence?

Linz

[Womble]

We've not had one for ages.  Problem is you end up compulsively viewing forums!!

Yup, I'll agree with that!  However, you also end up reading more books, being more sociable, etc etc.

Also, you'll really annoy the TV licensing people, who won't be able to comprehend anybody not having a TV, and will send you red letters implying you're a criminal on a monthly basis  .

Currently, though, if your pc can pick up programmes as they are being shown you will be liable for the licence.  (according to TV Licensing site)

Yes, this is correct. However, I believe I-player etc does not count (as not viewing at time of original broadcast). This is academic in our case, since our interweb connection isn't fast enough for I-player anyway!

are you not liable for the non-comercial radio as well on a tv licence?

No, the radio license was abolished in the early 70's IIRC.

Aw, just go for it. Give it a trial for 6 months and see how you go. Chances are, you'll never look back!

[Womble]

Oh, and another amusing thing. When TV-owning friends come round to our house, and there's a natural lull in the conversation, they all stare into the corner where the TV 'should' be. They all do it, and it's frankly hillarious to watch once you've noticed it!! 

[jameslindsay]

I'd quite happily live without a TV as most of the stuff shown IMO is crap. I rarely have time to watch anyway but as I said would be happy not to have a tv at all. The licence fee is a total waste of money and I think in years to come it will go and adverts will take over BBC too.

[doganjo]

I'd quite happily live without a TV as most of the stuff shown IMO is crap. I rarely have time to watch anyway but as I said would be happy not to have a tv at all. The licence fee is a total waste of money and I think in years to come it will go and adverts will take over BBC too.

The adverts are the best bits.  Think I'll start a thread on best adverts you've seen on TV

[Roxy]

I rarely get in the house after feeding the livestock before 9pm,. have my tea, then come on here and a couple of horsey forums......cannot remember the last time I saw anything on the telly!!  My OH does watch it in the evenings, so doubt he would give it up - I could though.

I used to watch all the soaps, and now, I could not care less about them.

I know quite a few people who have no television - and they say people are really sympathetic, and concerned because they are unable to watch Corrie etc.  One friend has her radio and books, and is quite happy without a telly.

[Hilarysmum]

We havent had a tv for 7 years.  We do watch dvds although hardly ever.  Think we have watched one film and a couple of dvds this year.

[Troubled Waters]

I understood it as live streaming on the computer needs a licence but i=player etc where you are watching after broadcast doesn't.

Guess this comes at an appropriate time then...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8285474.stm

[Troubled Waters]

We are thinking of getting rid of the TV.  We hardly ever watch as is only rubbish on and the things we do want to watch are on at stupid times, we just watch them on i-player later.  The lappy's screen is a bit small; but watchable. Or we will upgrade the iMac with more memory and move that into the lounge.  Will take up far less space and it might actually get used. Be better to watch the DVDs on that too.  Though it does seem a shame to get rid of something that works perfectly well.

Mother-in-law got her arial removed a year or two ago and the TV licensing people round to check so she no longer has a TV licence but can use the TV set to watch DVD's and video.  I think she said that there is an issue if she watches programmes recorded off a TV tho (either from prior to removing the arial or from friends). Sounds weird to me, how will they know?

[r+lchick]

If you go onto the TV Licencing web site it says that you can have a TV to watch DVDs and you watch a programme on your computer providing it is not going out live e.g. Programme normally on 8pm Wednesday, you watch it 9am Thursday.  You do get a lot of hassle from the "TV Licencing Police"  but if they want to waste time and park a van outside my house, just to catch me watching TV, they are welcome to.  Go to the web site and you will see that it is true.  What I intend to do is clip up the bit where the aerial goes so if they come around they will see that it will be impossible to put in an aerial.  (Sorry can't work out how to hyperlink)

From the TV Licence Web Site

What do I do if I don't need a TV Licence?  
 
 It makes no difference how you watch TV - whether it's on your laptop, PC or mobile phone or through a digital box, DVD recorder or TV set - if you use any device to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV, the law requires you to be covered by a TV Licence.

If you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes at the same time as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you only use your TV to watch DVDs or play video games, or if you only watch programmes on your PC after they have been shown on TV - you don't need a TV Licence. If this is the case, please let us know.  
 

[sandy]

We nearly always miss the programmes we like (very few) and when we have an uninterrupted night, we cannot find things to watch. As we are not married we have different names and we have both bought V's at variouse times, now we have the B&B we have several TV's, some bought by me some by my partner, that seems to cause a problem as I pay the licence but the man with the van came around as my partner did not have a licence, they were fine when they realised we were a couple, Oh, and while we are on that subject, we just bought some box's to convert the TV signal to digital as the TV warned us that on 30th Sept the Analogue signal would go....so we spent a lot of money on the 6 box's, only to find we are not being switched yet so we will pack them back up and return them. Anyone else done this? It's not clear at all to me!!!