I’m not renewing my TV licence - any pitfalls?

[Lat-Literal]

Then you made a double mistake: BBC Radio is not supported by the TV license.

It is supported by the TV licence.

It is just that you do not need a TV licence to listen to BBC radio.

[Bryn]

It is supported by the TV licence.

It is just that you do not need a TV licence to listen to BBC radio.

Quite so.

[french frank]

It is supported by the TV licence.

It is just that you do not need a TV licence to listen to BBC radio.

Rather more direct than my 'question to answer question' (which was quickly buried ) at #206

Somehow, I've managed to get my Mac on US English as default*

Anyone know how to get it back to UK English?

Beefy, several instructions online which don't seem to correspond to options on my computer (with Sierra) - I don't have International or Language & Text. Looking at my own settings:

System Preferences > Language and Region. Is your region set to United Kingdom? In the left hand pane, is English (UK) set as Primary? If it's under Preferred languages, drag and drop it to the top of the list. If it isn't in the visible list click on the + sign and find it in the menu, click and Add. Make sure you drag it to the top of Preferred Llanguages.

[Beef Oven!]

Beefy, several instructions online which don't seem to correspond to options on my computer (with Sierra) - I don't have International or Language & Text. Looking at my own settings:

System Preferences > Language and Region. Is your region set to United Kingdom? In the left hand pane, is English (UK) set as Primary? If it's under Preferred languages, drag and drop it to the top of the list. If it isn't in the visible list click on the + sign and find it in the menu, click and Add. Make sure you drag it to the top of Preferred Llanguages.

I had the same experience with online instructions as you. So I followed your systems preferences route and my Mac was indeed set to US. I've changed it to UK and it works. Thanks, I owe you a pint

[french frank]

I had the same experience with online instructions as you. So I followed your systems preferences route and my Mac was indeed set to US. I've changed it to UK and it works. Thanks, I owe you a pint

Not at all, I owe you a pint for making me look clever

[Serial_Apologist]

It is supported by the TV licence.

It is just that you do not need a TV licence to listen to BBC radio.

Thanks for correcting me!

[Lat-Literal]

Thanks for correcting me!

I don't do corrections.

It was simply clarification in a direct way.

[french frank]

I don't do corrections.

It was simply clarification in a direct way.

Whereas mine was a clarification in an oblique way. Serves me right if no one understands

[Beef Oven!]

This letter came in my post this morning. "..... since you didn't respond to our last letter, an investigation into your property has now begun." "Visit being authorised".

And some threats about £1,000 fines.

Who do these people think they are? If I watch telly, I'll let them know and I'll buy a licence. If I don't watch telly, there's nothing to be said.

This sort of letter could really intimidate some people and I think that it's disgusting of TV Licensing to write to people like this. I of course will not be replying and look forward to my encounter with the couple of chumps they will send to my house.

[french frank]

The problem is, they don't know who is living at your address now. They may be perfectly satisfied that B. Oven! Esq would certainly buy a licence if he was required to. But he might have died or moved. Since there was no response from the address, they are targeting the address, not you personally.

I used to be indignant that something as trivial as watching television necessitated such tactics, when if they knew my interests and tastes they wouldn't take the trouble to bother me. But they don't know my tastes, and they don't know whether I haven't [been] moved into a care home …

[Zucchini]

If I don't watch telly, there's nothing to be said ...

Yes there is. You've ignored their first letter, now they politely invite you to visit the 'No TV' part of their website so that they can cross you off their list. What's wrong with that?

(I'd send you to gaol anyway for deliberately wasting their time & it's not a god idea to tune to R3 in there ...)

[burning dog]

Happened to me when I didn't have a TV for a while when moving - filled in a tear off slip and never heard any more - though the letter was fairly intimidating

PS

then I had a B&W licence which was also questioned

[oddoneout]

This letter came in my post this morning. "..... since you didn't respond to our last letter, an investigation into your property has now begun." "Visit being authorised".

And some threats about £1,000 fines.

Who do these people think they are? If I watch telly, I'll let them know and I'll buy a licence. If I don't watch telly, there's nothing to be said.

This sort of letter could really intimidate some people and I think that it's disgusting of TV Licensing to write to people like this. I of course will not be replying and look forward to my encounter with the couple of chumps they will send to my house.

Have you told them that you don't need a licence?
The problem is that the majority of those they deal with are likely to be guilty of an offence and so their cost saving communications will reflect that. And yes the possibility that folks will be frightened into paying up even if they don't have to is likely known to the department - it's a similar approach to the scam the DVLA had for extorting fines for(supposedly) not following correct procedure when scrapping a car, guilty until you can prove you're innocent.

[french frank]

One thing is wrong in the letter:

"You can still stop the investigation
But you need to buy a licence without delay"

True, that would stop the investigation, but you don't need to buy a licence, last time I heard anything, if you don't watch television (hard to prove if you have a TV set).

[Dave2002]

Their letter seems to have been changed to reflect the changes in the last year or two re iPlayer and downloaded copies of TV programmes etc..

Notice also the specific wording:

.... or recording live TV programmes on any channel ....

as well as the note re iPlayer.

Probably worth sending "them" a letter stating your position, or making a phone call.
Perhaps both - to be on the safe side, and keep a copy of your letter.

What does live mean? What about repeats of old programmes delivered via internet from channels - maybe BBC related, maybe not? Do they count as live too? For examples, the rather dead programmes on Gold and Drama and old copies of Frasier from independent channels?

At this stage the wording says "recording" - but in the future it might be changed to say "have recorded" - which would have a different meaning. It is possible that someone might record a programme, and then subsequently give up watching live TV. Shudder!