Would you drop live TV to save £145.50 a year?

[palindromicbob]

Just wondering if anyone here has or thinks they could do it? I watch most of my suff on catch up or netflix. Don't really care for live broadcast TV and anything we watch is generally recorded but usually also available on catch-up so still no need to have the broadcast. Was hoping to ditch the Freesat box and drop the TV license but wife won't let me. I'd still need it if I were to use NOW TV for sports broadcast but I'm sure I could visit my folks to watch the big events live there.

Has anyone else tried to ditch the TV license by dropping live TV or is it just to much. I'd imagine most on here would have to much fondness of sport to be able to drop it mind you.

 

[SocketRocket]

Could you change the third category to 'I'm a Tight Get"

 

[BTatHome]

You have to watch everything via catchup, so recording stuff to watch later doesn't count. For me the live broadcast stuff for sport would certainly be the deal breaker.

 

[Rooter]

I think for the hassle of it all, will stick to paying my £12 odd a month DD.

 

[Martin70]

I won't stop paying it - I don't watch a lot live but when sport is on it's a must have.

 

[JustOne]

I'd rather pay the £145 and not have all the faffing around.

If you play golf I don't see how you CAN'T afford £145 on another form of entertainment.

 

[MegaSteve]

It's one tax I'm reasonably happy to pay...

 

[SVB]

Not getting too philosophical but I think there is the social dimension to this - there are some things that are worth having and I don't expect them to be free.

Also, I listen to BBC radio in the car every day, not sure if I need to pay for that, but given it is an everyday thing I do someone has to provide it and to listen ad free is worth the small cost. Also, if we all took the 'maximise for me' attitude we'd really be in the mire as a nation.

So, yep - I'll pay! (not voted as there's no option without implied dissatisfaction)

S

 

[JustOne]

(not voted as there's no option without implied dissatisfaction)

Ditto - rigged poll.

 

[Khamelion]

Going one step further, one of wor lasses friends, doesn't have a TV in the house, not that her, or husband can't afford one, they just prefer to read books. Her argument, I'm not paying to watch the rubbish that gets pumped out.

Fair point.

 

[Hobbit]

TBH, I'm happy to pay the £12 a month, £3 a week, just for the news and documentaries. Everything decent after that is a bonus...

 

[brendy]

TBH, I'm happy to pay the £12 a month, £3 a week, just for the news and documentaries. Everything decent after that is a bonus...

I can see where this argument for the license comes from but...
Could you live without the bbc and "survive" on all of the other free to air channels that are advert driven? I know I certainly could as the BBC offers me very very little.
Also JO, its not a case of if you can afford golf, you can afford a license, we dont get the choice with the license.

 

[Hobbit]

I can see where this argument for the license comes from but...
Could you live without the bbc and "survive" on all of the other free to air channels that are advert driven? I know I certainly could as the BBC offers me very very little.
Also JO, its not a case of if you can afford golf, you can afford a license, we dont get the choice with the license.

Do I watch ITV news or Sky News? No. Do I want to watch those news channels? No. In a few months time there'll be an election with lots of the usual media hype. Do I want the watered down, superficial coverage that the independent channels or the (slightly biased) in depth coverage the BBC provide? I'll take the Beeb.

As to the argument of choice of paying the licence fee... tough one. I'd rather see the Beeb sell its wares to Sky/Virgin and let them include it in a package.

 

[Tongo]

I'd drop the licence fee if it meant not watching the beeb. They've largely lost the plot, show very little decent sport and have been overtaken by the likes of ITV when it comes to showing decent drama.

Bringing back Open All Hours summed up the antiquated, backward looking beeb.

 

[jp5]

£12/month is well worth it for the content that the BBC provides across TV, radio and online IMO.

 

[Tongo]

£12/month is well worth it for the content that the BBC provides across TV, radio and online IMO.

The question does say for tv though. Admittedly one comes with the other with the beeb and i would certainly miss listening to Test Match Special on the radio.

 

[Revrec]

Not having a licence means not watching any live TV, including ITV, Sky etc.

You may all be well aware of this, but a couple of posts were ambiguous enough to make me post!

 

[GB72]

I do find it odd that to watch any sky or itv you have to pay to fund their opposition. The BBC has lost the plot when it comes to its public service mandate. Would happily pay a reduced fee for BBC radio but that is pretty much all I use

 

[Tongo]

I do find it odd that to watch any sky or itv you have to pay to fund their opposition. The BBC has lost the plot when it comes to its public service mandate. Would happily pay a reduced fee for BBC radio but that is pretty much all I use

Yes, this is rather odd in the modern age that we live in. I'm surprised that this hasnt been challenged.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I just pay it. The BBC still do some wonderful programmes especially documentaries (any nature programme) some good current affairs stuff and still produce decent drama. Add in live sport plus radio and it's worth the cost. In many other areas they've lost the plot and it's an antiquated top heavy dinosaur but while the licence fee is in place I'd rather stump up and muck around watching on catch up etc