We only use our television set to watch pre-recorded videos and pre-recorded DVDs. We found out last summer that we therefore don't need a TV Licence. We have made sure that the television and video are not tuned to receive television broadcasts. The equipment is not connected to any aerials.
Having no television does keep you out of the loop, but sometimes that's no bad thing, especially if you, like me, are sick of the Cult of Celebrity, and the news broadcasts make you despair. Even better, no-one in the household sees television adverts, which helps reduce pester power. It also enables us to feel more contented with what we've got rather than being under pressure to buy more.
Don't worry, our kids definitely watch television programmes, but their choice is very much restricted to what I think is appropriate. They aren't totally left out because they still get to see Cbeebies, Disney etc. We often get VHS videos from our local charity shop where they are being sold for 10p each. At that price you can use it like a lending library. Videos and DVDs are often offered on freecycle or can be bought cheaply on amazon or car-boots.
It stops me switching on the telly just to see what's on and then spending a whole evening watching stuff I'm not really interested in and then feeling inadequate because I don''t have the glam lifestyle/ size zero body/ immaculate home that's portrayed as normal on TV.
We do use the BBC iPlayer to watch BBC programmes but only after they have been broadcast - either to download, or via streaming 'on demand'. So we don't watch any programmes at the time of their broadcast. Therefore we do not need a TV licence.
I wrote, with glee, to TV Licensing, accordingly, and they haven't pestered me at all. I was upfront about our plans not to renew the license, rather than letting it lapse and waiting for the infamous nasty letters to arrive. It saved us £142. I am not saying Kill Your Television, but maybe you don't need a TV license either?
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