I’ve Left TV Licensing No Alternative

[@MrJones-hy1vm]

I'm 48 years old and have never paid tv license I don't even open the letters and I ignore all strangers that knock on my door. Bliss

[@hunterb9273]

My local supermarket manager knocked on my door yesterday. He said I owed him money because I hadn't told him I didn't want to buy cornflakes from his store.

[@KPrent82]

😂😂😂

[@mysticjen379]

💯!

[@robtheplod]

All the problems in the world, all the things people in the UK are going through and TV licensing still think their job is important. Just cancel your direct debit and forget about them. 80,000 people A MONTH are cancelling, be one of them!

[@Maynards_so_blue]

exactly. Many important things going on, tv licence is bottom of the barrel

[@allygilmour6182]

Amen brother. Best advice. Its a shame more folk don't have the balls to follow it.

[@missmoldavitequarts4158]

I’ve cancelled just before Xmas and the y gave me a refund for 2 months but now the letters are coming

[@pioruns]

Very stupid advice!! You can't just stop DD, that will be a breach of contract. You need to tell them you moved away, pay your final month, end your contract with honour. Then, once everything is closed, there is no trace about you in their system, they start sending letters to THE LEGAL OCCUPIER which you can ignore for the rest of your life. If you instead just stop DD, then they will apply to court to get debt recovery enforcement to get money off of you!

[@Maynards_so_blue]

@@pioruns this is why it's best never to even engage with these scumbags in the first place

[@nemo9540]

It took me years to help my wife understand that we don't need a licence as we don't watch live TV or ipayer because of the fear of these empty threats scared her into buying one. Thankfully after watching videos like this we don't buy one anymore.

[@stuinweymouth]

Should be illegal to keep harassing people by keep sending them.

[@alexedwards6509]

I haven't owned a car for a while. Should I write to the petrol station that I won't be paying them for fuel?

[@laceandwhisky]

Sadly they harass to the edge of the law so if you had enough money to sue they'd more than likely either fight it and ruin you financially remember it ain't their money or they might pay you off before stitching you up 😊

[@robtheplod]

it should be, but the law explicitly allows the BBC to act in this way - take it up with your mp!

[@jamesbillington3501]

it is but they have a work around by saying they are legally required to make sure you are properly licenced if you need to be..... but they can do the same by sending a letter once a year and asking. they do not need to send monthly letters and you don't need to be visited.

[@louiswilliamterminator2887]

One might wonder what happens if the envelope is returned with some extra turd inside

[@keegan773]

TV Licensing are sounding more and more like Post Office Investigations. And we know where that ended up.

[@MOTwaccoe]

I dont even open the letters, I just put them straight in the recycle bin. BBC and Co can do one. I will never pay and haven't in 28 years, so bring it on

[@louiswilliamterminator2887]

People might consider it free fuel for their fireplaces

[@darkshar100]

right resend to sender and put them in a letter box

[@jimosullivan1389]

@@darkshar100 Do you mean "Return to sender" ? The word is 'Write'. By letter box do you mean a Royal mail post box and not just some other persons letter box ? The English language is a wonderful thing.

[@HPLP-123]

@@jimosullivan1389I’m sure you feel much better for correcting a stranger on the internet 👌well done you…. 🙄

[@jimosullivan1389]

@@HPLP-123 Well actually, yes I do. If someone has the audacity to use no punctuation, incorrect spelling and is unable to construct a sentence, then they need correcting. Any other gems of wisdom O wise one ?

[@Alan-OnRunway01]

Made my day I've got forty, stopped watching TV when Mam went to hospital, Dad taken away by social services, Mam murderer by care system, and those cranks think I could continue as normal. Total Harassment... keep up good work!!

[@MichaelGarland]

Clear harassment of innocent people by scammers.

[@pyewackett5]

It is relentless ...

[@stevenknill2179]

Pay up .

[@RegiyThornton]

Who even watches tv these days when you can watch anything online

[@stevenknill2179]

You are only guilty if you don't pay 44p per day for a very good service. You still free to choose not too. You are paying for the benefit of the whole nation just like the NHS. If you don't want to use the the NHS and go private that is up to you. But you still pay! It's that simple!

[@HPLP-123]

@@stevenknill2179you’re only guilty if you don’t pay but still watch…. It’s nothing like the NHS. The nhs are there to save lives, the tv licence is there to line pockets

[@carlvaz]

It is actually criminal the way they go about this. The crime here is harassment, obtaining money by deception, false representation, attempting to obtain money by threatening behaviour. All these crimes are aimed at innocent people who do not use their products, and services.

[@petermach8635]

I ignore their letters, partly because I haven't had a television for 15 years but mostly on principle ..... they're asking me to prove a negative whilst reserving the right to disbelieve me without providing evidence to counter my claim of innocence ...... and that offends me. If they doubt my veracity, I doubt their integrity.

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

We’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.

[@petermach8635]

Exactly @@Woodman-Spare-that-tree ...... in theory. in the BBC's greedy eyes, not so much

[@Tony-c7z9t]

@@Woodman-Spare-that-tree are you sure, are you really sure, are you really really sure. Well the Bloody Bigoted Company sure won't believe you, and your mp won't try and change them, because they are the MPs mouthpiece.

[@gtaylor331]

Actually, surely it should be Innocent unless proven guilty?@@Woodman-Spare-that-tree

[@ThatEngineerDad]

u can own a TV without a tv license as long as you do not use it to watch anything covered by said license.

[@markc7440]

At a community engagement event (you know the kind of thing) I asked my local police about a company pestering me to take up their services and pay them money or they'd get legal on my fat *ss. They were really interested until I told them that it was TVL.

[@johnredman4568]

I got the same letter last week. Went straight in the bin. Just incase you do not know, it is possible to live without a television.

[@AlanSimpson-e4e]

I ditched my tv licence finally, its like a huge weight off my shoulders, as l begrudged paying for service l seldom used ,the entire cancel procedure is a complete joke ,as at almost at every turn , they put the seed of doubt , in your opposition to chuck it in....its disgraceful , 170 quid covers my streaming service , on yer bike, bbc !!!

[@richardjames3022]

Interviewed under caution, as a policeman friend said: people just sit in the interview room say 'no comment' to every question. I am sure that if you keeping saying no comment every time they open their mouths, they will soon go away. Best to just close the door on them though

[@laceandwhisky]

Just shut the door done job 😊

[@londislagerhound]

Don't even engage with them. Just close the door.

[@mda5003]

It may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court...............

[@David_Camerwrongun]

As long as you know you're innocent absolute silence is all you need even if they apply for the 90hr extension to keep questioning. Just sit there and smile continously. They're starting with nothing so anything you say is ammo. When you get out with no charges solicitors will bite your hand off for the case of violating your rights and you could even push to change the law.

[@thedirectorschair1054]

@@mda5003 'May'

[@mike2410]

Jon, we got that letter a few days ago (signed by the same person) and found a hand written notice posted through our letter box yesterday saying we'd missed a visit from one of their goons. Worth noting that we've also only lived at our house for six months, and we actually do live in a very small village in the country - so they really will travel to the wilds of Wanney to pester you!

[@ezzyboo3757]

That means they're getting desperate coming out in the sticks!

[@BillyBanter100]

Entirely agree. This is illegal harassment plain and simple. Your advice is first class. Just a 'no thank you' if they come to your door. Even better just open a window near your door and say no thanks and keep your door closed.

[@copferthat]

I've had this one too, I used it to light my log burner

[@jona826]

They can't prosecute "The Legal Occupier". Empty threats.

[@jona826]

@@tvguy61 No.

[@HaggisMuncher-69-420]

I wrote back to them when I was a kid - I was about to start law school so was full of that unearned arrogance. I signed off my letter with Mr. Legal Occupier. Basically told them I was looking forward to receiving a summons addressed to a Mr. Occupier.

[@sandrahoward5695]

Hi Jon, just wanted you to know that YOU and your channel gave me the courage to cancel my tv licence. I have not watched mainstream tv for years. I have never looked back. Its being informed and by you telling all of us our rights brings freedom from the woke, dross, bullying BBC. They really are clinging on for all they are worth in their ivory tower!! Thanks Jon from us ALL 👍

[@Pot-8-Toes]

I cancelled mine last year and declared my intention to TV Licensing by email. They responded by refunding my most recent payment and said they’d ask me to update my status in two years’ time. I don’t have an aerial so can’t receive free-to-air channels. I’ve deleted BBC iPlayer from my new TV and Apple TV box and deleted Pluto and FreeVee. I now rely on my extensive library of purchased Apple Store movies and TV content, Blu-ray discs and apps such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Now TV which I temporarily subscribe to when there are shows on that I want to watch. I also use KZbin and Rumble. I never watch live TV so have nothing to fear. If they ever send someone to visit I’ll just politely ask them to obtain a warrant and revisit with a police officer as they don’t have any jurisdiction.

[@brandonmeade8999]

Me too

[@Coneman3]

Gary Lineker needs a raise lol

[@wembleyford]

Really? You needed to watch a youtube video to know you didn;'t need a TV license if you don't watch tv? wow.

[@nettogames4268]

Two things; The BBC isn't in charge of TV Licenses. They can't do anything about it. As a bisexual transgender woman, I can tell you the BBC is *far* from friendly to my kind, let alone 'woke'. They bring attention, usually in a way that causes more harm than good.

[@jonellison9832]

My collection of letters going back about ten years now is coming along nicely. We should have a national exhibition of TV licensing letters. It's a good hobby, much cheaper than stamp collecting because they send them to you for free!

[@kevinharker1840]

Let's start a club, it's called.... Have you had a letter from TV licensing. 😁😁😁😁😁

[@TheHookahSmokingCaterpillar]

🤣😂🤣

[@markhamilton9834]

I got a shit load also,I'm leaving them for my grandkids,to show how we did it in the old day 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🤣

[@JackieKay11]

I was collecting them too, but they’re good for the log burner 😃

[@TheHookahSmokingCaterpillar]

I like writing 'Return to Sender' on them and posting them back - in the hope that this will cost them some money. 🤣😂🤣

[@heidiedgely9238]

Thanks for giving us all a confidence boost John, it helps strengthen my resolve. These modern day gangsters are beyond the pale, harassing people who genuinely don't want to watch their lame programmes & propaganda. It's not called a " programme" for nothing . I prefer to retain some independent thought & not be mired in brain- rotting mush such as " Eastenders". I think they just can't believe that anyone would willingly reject their drivel , the audacity of their daylight robbery astounds me. Well, I am determined to not engage with them.They will get a firm but polite " no thankyou" and the door closed. Keep up the good work ! And thanks again

[@roncouch]

Deny “implied right of access”…..end of! Tell me, why aren’t our MP’s questioning the language used by TV Licensing in their, frequently hostile, letters to:- “The Legal Occupier”? They must all agree, privately at least, that these letters contain thinly veiled threats of an intimidating nature?

[@thomas1112002]

Think implied right of access is only in England not 100% sure if it applies here in Scotland

[@PaulGSXR]

I'd advise against that. There have been multiple instances of warrants being issued due to the revocation of implied right of access

[@tedthesailor172]

MP's CAN question the language, but individual MP's have no power. And the BBC isn't the least bit scared of MP's. Only governments can rein-in the BBC and the the BBC knows that they won't...

[@sarahroxy100]

Don’t get me started on mp’s and the government ! They do nothing but screw us over . They could put a stop to companies threatening people but do they ? Nah , they don’t want the hassle 😡

[@TheRealRedAce]

Because our MPs are as bent as the police and the BBC.

[@SusannaSaunders]

It's long past the time that the BBC should have become a subscription service! Please petition your MP to that effect!

[@booboyBL]

I got the exact same letter today. Their 'final stages of investigation' must be f*ing useless, as I've been at that stage for the last 8 months, at least. I've had 3 scheduled visits that didn't happen, and the one with my postcode area. They are clowns, and I will treat them as such, if they ever do actually come a'knocking.

[@klawlor3659]

I've been on their final investigation for 23 years! Longer investigation than the report into the JFK assassination!

[@ProffAndy]

Same here, my property has been due an enforcement Muppet visit since early last year. If anyone does turn up they're going to have had a wasted journey. I can't believe that they really think I'd be interested in watching any live TV, let alone paying to do so. When I did pay for a license the only things I watched were a sitcom or two, Top Gear (until Clarkson got fired) and Horizon. All I hear from friends who still pay for a TV license is that "the TV is rubbish these days" 😂

[@doubletee5250]

I just had that one too. It's like being in a little club. 😎

[@jackwaycombe]

I'm old enough to remember a time when Demanding Money with Menaces was a serious crime, almost always involving a custodial sentence.

[@garychap8384]

It still is. The real problem is that schools do not teach our children to understand, and effectively wield, their civil and commercial rights. No, instead its... Be a victim! Make ineffective complaints! Go find a mediator, like a child might go find an adult! Be a law consumer and hire a lawyer! .... anything but actually hold your own ground squarely and with certainly, whilst charging others for undue impositions upon your valuable time and resources. Unfortunately, schools don't raise children to be effective at civic engagement, but rather, to simply be a producer and consumer of goods and services. They absolutely should, but they don't. Teach your kids proper civic engagement (not just how to complain) and they will step out into the world with a major advantage from day 1.

[@lordflashy1358]

Thanks Jon for all you do to inform help us stand up to these thugs

[@dannycrooks8462]

People really need to stop speaking to them

[@craigwebb4012]

Amd stop paying for a license too

[@wembleyford]

Or, you know, do speak to them, tell them your don't need a license and all the so-called 'harrasment' stops.

[@koool56]

@@wembleyford only if you are a lucky one, its not about needing the licenses, its about buying one anyway

[@usujiotarako]

@@koool56 I used to work at Capita on the phones answering calls from people signing up, renewing or cancelling their licence and its honestly not that difficult to mark on the system that you don't need a licence, honestly it'd take me less than 30 seconds to mark on the address that you don't need one. I've never paid for a Licences in my Life either and I never will, either just ignore the letters or just let them know and they will stop contacting you.

[@markbertenshaw3977]

I've lived in this house since 2000, and got rid of my PC's TV card in 2007, because I noticed that TV was going shite even then. I cancelled my license, and I got a visit from TV licensing. Like a mug, I let the man in to prove my lack of telly. Luckily, nothing happened, but I wouldn't do that now.

[@JM-tm4hb]

Letting them in won't resolve the problem as they can claim you watch live BBC programs with your laptop.

[@robb481]

I haven't had a license for about 6 years. I use to get these letters every 5 minutes. I went on their website and notified them I didn't need a license. They acknowledged it by email and said they wouldn't contact me again for 2 yrs. After 2 yrs they would contact me again to confirm the position hadn't changed. Which is what has happened and I just said I still don't need one. That's it. It's not an hardship to do that every 2 yrs. And I haven't had any letters or visits since I started doing it.

[@MikeEves]

That's coercion

[@martinrolecek8837]

It depends on your circumstances. Should they find out you are vulnerable person, have mental or physical health issues they'll do their utmost to scam you. I'm vulnerable adult so I've got threatening letters from them once a month despite informing them I don't need TV licence on their website, had lawyer inform them that due to harassment their right of access is revoked (they used that in court as evidence I must be watching TV and court accept it and fined me £400 and threaten me with contempt of court for asking to explain evidence TV licence provided. One was me refusing them access the other one was, quote: " 21547" repeatedly printed on multiple pages with nothing else written on page. despite not watching TV for over 10years at that point) they also increased the amount of letters they sending afterwards. There's no sat dish, or aerial antenna on my house either, never was and never will be.

[@TheKumaDono]

@robertstallard7836 Your analogy doesn't work, if you *purchase* say for example a classic sports car, it's reasonable to assume you bought it with the intention of driving it, if you however bought it with the intention of displaying it in a museum and it was never going to be driven on a road, you would SORN the vehicle, that is *declare* that you aren't using for it's usual purpose and wouldn't pay tax. The same thing applies here, if you purchased a TV, it's reasonable to assume you bought it for its intended purpose of watching TV (simplifying for the sake of argument), if you don't intend to watch TV, you declare it to TV Licensing and you don't pay the Jimmy Saville hush money tax.

[@christracy2144]

Something happened last week that’s made me more than a bit suspicious. I live in a flat. The intercom goes. I answer. This bloke says, "I'm from the electric. I just need to come in to check your electric". I have a new smart prepayment job and it felt off, so I said no. There were no vans about at all, let alone any with a power company or National Grid logo on them. I've had a lot of these threatening letters of late. Don’t know, obviously, but it was the way he said it. His tone was so Goon like and his word choice made no sense. "Check your electric", not, "read the meter". No saying what company he was from. My brain immediately went there. I got total Goon vibes. I have heard of them pretending to be from the gas company before so I wasn't taking the risk.

[@thirdmeow2270]

Probably trying to switch you over to a different company without you knowing. They've pulled a similar stunt with me a few times, they'll say that they're checking the meter, but what they're actually doing is collecting data from your meter in order to switch you over.

[@dougaltolan3017]

Smart meters have remote access for all valid operatives. If it develops a fault that requires a site visit, that will be arranged before hand. "I'm from the electric" is a would be burglar.

[@JustaGuy_Gaming]

Funny thing is if you count all the letters, all the paper, the wages of the "enforcement officers" I would imagine they have spent more money trying to force you to sign up then they would get from your "fee".

[@stuartofblyth]

"An Officer [sic] may interview you under caution ...." Excellent! The caution begins "YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING ...", and that's good advice which should be taken literally. If it gets to the caution stage (and it shouldn't - just close the door) say nothing. As Charles de Gaulle so rightly put it, "Le silence est l'arme ultime du pouvoir" (silence is the ultimate weapon of power). Also, the BBC needs a named person to prosecute so UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES give them that information. BTW - a search warrant is simply that, legal authority to search for TV receivers. It is NOT authorisation to interview you, and you always have your right to silence. Say nothing, and certainly don't give your name.

[@Chironseth1970]

You’re doing such a fantastic service to us all Jon. Love ya mate, keep up the good fight

[@vyvienvp3413]

Yes, Jon we all end up exasperated and it is quite comical in a sense. Who writes these nonsense letters. Agree, who are they to threaten the public?

[@alansharman3644]

I totally agree a corporation using bully boy tactics and "enforcers" to flease the public, and just as corrupt as the post office. It seems to be the accepted corporate way to behave today.

[@LiquidAudio]

Great work mate, I'm all the way over in Perth Western Australia but I still watch because of how ridiculous the TV license thing is and how scared we were of those stupid vans when I lived in London in the early '90s. We never paid the license though!

[@BedsitBob]

"As you have not responded to our letters yet." YET? You got to admire their optimism. 😁

[@simonzodiac90]

Desperation more like

[@dottester3039]

I'm on the 3rd or 4th of exactly your letter. Prior about half a dozen chasers to pay or trouble. I dont have a tv, I filled out a form and did online too a couple of years ago, I refuse to keep filling out forms, I now bin their letters unopened. Your doing a good kind service, thank you.

[@adriangoodall8626]

An officer came to my house in Lincoln from Nottingham I have cctv and saw him knock at the door so I didn’t answer it and he left what a waste of a journey.

[@johnwalerzak6786]

They are NOT officers.

[@wembleyford]

Yes, you wasted his time. Well done.

[@KPrent82]

I told tv licensing that I don't need one 2 years ago and now they have emailed me to say 2 years is up and to see if there is a change, which when I try to tell them I still don't need one there is 4 or 5 questions and it doesn't seem to matter that I say no to all questions it still comes up at the end that you need one even though I don't but I did notice 1 change and that was them adding in KZbin

[@greenlanes5140]

I've got about 8 years worth, I keep them because they're hilarious.

[@CodingAbroad]

You should definitely keep them as proof of harassment

[@klawlor3659]

Currently on my 23rd year of BBC non payment/harassment letters. I'm yet to see the conclusion of their "investigation".

[@kevinharker1840]

Ive got a couple of years worth, you're well ahead ! you've probably got £159 worth of demands 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@stephenholmes1036]

​@klawlor3659 im 31 years without now, Ive had 1 visit 23 years ago. A letter to the occupier every 4 years asking if i need a licence i send it back saying no proof of postage. Do you get much hassle?

[@klawlor3659]

​@@stephenholmes1036Now that's an achievement! Not much hassle, never had a visit just loads of paper threats!

[@oopsydaisy4637]

I've had lots of red enveloped warning letters. I never open them, just put them in the recycling. Never had a visit in the 2yrs since cancelling it. Keep it up as it helped me to stop paying for something I don't need or use :)

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Final stages of their investigation means absolutely nothing. Deliberate harassment of people who legally dont need a license because they are trying to force you to buy their product.

[@wembleyford]

No they're not 'trying for 'force' anything - theyre sending the letters because the previous letters have been ignored. I do not get these letters because I performed the very simple, and easy step of telling them i didn't have a TV. There's not harrasment, just a request for information. The only people who get these letters are those who choose to not inform the TVLA when they've previously made enquiries. This is their right to do this - just as it's TVLAs right to inform them of the law. No 'harrasment', no 'force'. Just people playing silly games and winning silly prizes.

[@SaviourInDistress]

​@@wembleyfordthe letters are written in a horribly manupulative and threatening way to trick elderly and disabled people into buying a liscence. They are selling a service. I would never expect this behaviour from netflix or amazon. So why are they allowed to do it?

[@wembleyford]

@@SaviourInDistress Well you said so yourself - they're absolutely not 'selling a service', they're collecting a license fee that's mandated by law. And if you or any one can find anything in these letters that is manipulative then someone would have a case to sue Capita. No one is being 'forced' into anything - which is what the OP said.

[@SaviourInDistress]

@@wembleyford they are selling a service and they lie and trick their way into your house and "catch" you just owning a tv and use that as a justified means to fine you. Owning a tv isnt illegal

[@mikesanya4194]

I just want to ask for those of us that are already paying for it and how can we opt out?

[@gerrimilner9448]

take some deep breaths, and dont let thier misinformation grind you down!

[@BoadiceanTruth]

There used to be a big billboard advert from tv licencing saying We Know Where You Live! Well, i very nearly wrote back and said yeah, and WE know where you live! 😂🤦

[@igavinwood]

I have this letter. Received it last week. Went in the recycling bin about 5 minutes after opening it. Sick to my back teeth of these tactics from TV Licencing using scare mongering. There is a need for how TV Licensing acts and that will only happen under two conditions. Government policy or court case. I hope one of these happens soon.

[@vicwiseman2340]

So why did it take you 5 minutes to get their letter into the recycling bin? I've got my recycling bin under the letterbox so it drops straight in! 🤣

[@stevedexter2964]

I used to send them back and let them pay the postage now I don’t even open them they go straight in the bin 👍

[@igavinwood]

@@vicwiseman2340 House tidy. Wasn't about to drop important stuff for this crap. :)

[@vicwiseman2340]

@@igavinwood 😃👍

[@johnwhite2293]

It should be like any other tv service you should have an account to access the BBC, and if you don’t pay the Licence fee, your account is switched off, that will make it much easier for everybody

[@HolbeckStill]

Agreed but the bbc won’t agree to this because they would immediately lose 80% of their funding

[@jenlfpotter3870]

I wish BBC and ITV would go with subscriptions instead, so you only pay a certain amount per month or per 3 months, per 6 months or 1 year for a slightly reduced amount, like more or less every other service I use, more or less every app I've used which requires subs which can be cancelled at any time with no repercussions if like in these videos on this channel here, you should wish to stop using it. That would be a much more civilised route for the snobs up there to go down.

[@ChrisJones-bp7ij]

Send them a financial Bill for reading storing/filing replying to the letters you have received. Some guy did it took them to court and won a financial settlement.

[@CodingAbroad]

I remember that. They even tried delaying tactics to pay the guy. The guy responded saying “I suggest you stop playing games” and eventually they did pay

[@wembleyford]

If you reply to the letters, they stop sending them.

[@fluffyp6009]

Got rid of my telly tax over a year ago after watching your channel. Admittedly I did it via the online form & apart from the acknowledgement letter they’ve never bothered me. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I fund the likes of Linekar et al! Thx for your channel

[@wembleyford]

See - that was a tactical mistake - if you hadn't done that you could have posted a video ranting about how ANGRY you were about them sending you letters asking for information, but instead you, err, gave them some information so now you don't have anything to get angry about.

[@apricotpapi]

Yeah but where is the form located?

[@1stupidfish]

I live in america and it boggles the mind that it company has the ability to charge you for signals that free float in the air. If anything, you should be charging them for violating the airspace within your home with their unwanted signals.

[@MyRackley]

You don't know our history. Back in the 1960s it was illegal to listen to "pirate" radio stations such as Radio Caroline and Radio Jackie, which of course everyone of my age (teenagers) made a point of listening to as much as possible. The disc jockeys became famous, and were snapped up by the BBC - e.g. Tony Blackburn, Johnny Walker, Tommy Vance and Kenny Everett. There's a good reason for regulating the airwaves, though. I live next door to a heliport . . . 🚁

[@1stupidfish]

@@MyRackley I can respect that. I do not know your entire history. What I do know is here in America. We have something called the f c c that regulates the airwaves. The citizens of america are not charged for the array's going for the year, but those that produce the airwaves are heavily regulated and cannot transmit without licensing. It just seems very strange to me that the people who would naturally receive these airwaves, Would be the ones that need a special license. If you don't want somebody to receive your airwaves without paying for them in america, you simply scramble it and the customer would pay for equipment to actually be able to unscramble and read the transmission.

[@dunweldin8084]

It's because the BBC is a government corporation, therefore gotta pay for using their airwaves. Some other countries also charge but are gradually becoming less and less

[@jennytaylor9858]

The license fee is because BBC do not have adverts on their channels. The fee is apparently to pay for the content and also for the upkeep of the transmitting equipment as apparently they own it as far as I know. However, the ITV channels have adverts, but for some reason because they have to use BBC equipment to transmit, you still need a TV licence for that. But if you do not watch any of the national channels and instead stream from Netflix or Disney et cetera then you do not need as TV licence. Most people have a smart TV run from the Internet, so they are able to watch these subscription services without an aerial and transmission from government equipment. However, you can watch national channels via the Internet, but you need an account to login and I think you have to provide your TV licence number in order to activate the account through Wi-Fi. I don’t really have that problem because I don’t watch any of those channels as most of the content is absolute drivel. Hopefully this explains why this is such an issue here and so controversial, particularly as the TV license fee is quite a lot of money and people are struggling just to feed their children. So naturally a TV licence is considered a luxury.

[@EwanMarshall]

@@jennytaylor9858No, they don't ask for the licence number, just postcode for BBC's account system. That said, there are other ways that can get some evidence there.

[@chilli-soup]

I'll admit i was sh!t scared of them until 8 yrs ago when i came across channels like yours and watching goons at the door etc and haven't had a licence since. Ive had the letters every 6 months but since last year summer ive been getting them every 2 weeks which is crazy, they must be getting desperate.

[@dannycrooks8462]

How much is the BBC spending sending a year sending those letters out

[@Natta44]

Waste of paper, wonder if it goes against environmental policies that most corporate places have to abide by?

[@RegiyThornton]

It’s tax payer money so they don’t care

[@QuentinRichardson-supersnail]

Like John, I have been collecting their threats and menaces. I don't know if it is possible, but could a group be started somewhere with a view to taking a class action against the BBC and Capita, as their agents, for sending menacing and threatening letters through the Royal Mail, which is illegal?

[@jenlfpotter3870]

Oo, I'll sign up there, for the sake of myself and my Grandparents. TV is my Gran's only contact with the outside world bless her, other than immediate family and friends who visit most days. I wouldn't wish £174 a year off people in this fassion for this reason.

[@stephennye1975]

I have had these letters for 20yrs and only seen a salesman once that was 19yrs ago stopped watching TV in 2006

[@jasonga]

We have filled in the “No Licence required” form on the TV licence site and NEVER had any problems whatsoever, no letters , no threats, no nothing………no problems……… we been renewing ‘no licence required’ for a good few years now and no probs whatsoever

[@awatt]

Same here

[@FuelPoverty]

I had this same letter last week, it is a little different to normal, so I put it to one side rather than in the recycling. I work part time for Amazon, doing deliveries, the day after my letter arrived, I was delivering to some flats that I regularly go to, all 9 of the flats on that staircase had a letter from TV licencing in the mailbox. I think the message is getting through to people.

[@marilynperks6111]

If someone cancels the TV licence, does having 2 aeriels fitted cause grounds for inspection under a warrant. Or is it the law that you must be seen to be actually watching tv. Obviously anyone no longer watching tv would not go to the expense of having aeriels removed.

[@justinformed7367]

That looks to be the same letter I got today, only I haven't opened mine. I don't open any of their letters. Moved here almost 3yrs ago, still no visit. My last visit at my previous address, I showed the letter saying 'Under Investigation' & just said 'I couldn't possibly comment on a live investigation'. It's what politicians & police say when they don't want to answer questions.

[@OoohAaah6603]

I've only been back in the UK 5 months after being away for 20 years and I've had 3 of these already 😂

[@justinformed7367]

@@OoohAaah6603 It's absolute harassment & abuse, & would be deemed illegal by any other company!.

[@CodingAbroad]

😂 that’s amazing

[@AdrianBooth1]

I got the same letter on Thursday. Made me chuckle.

[@Bladerunner_2019]

I file mine in the bin after I have written F OFF under the line they tell you not to write under!!

[@wembleyford]

You fill in the form and then put it int he bin? Who do you think is going to read your 'FO' message? Are you insane?

[@Annomous-58]

I got that exact letter as you Jon, it’s not as abrupt as last month’s previous correspondence in bright red Capitals!! I was going to upload it via your website, but thought you would receive it anyway. The pile of TVL letters are mounting up now. 😂

[@adriennemeager297]

Sending you a big hug. Keep the water out of the boat lovely man 💗

[@alisonanthony1228]

I had that letter yesterday - straight in the bin. It annoys me that they're allowed to send these threats out indiscriminately. It doesn't phase me because I know the law, but there are vulnerable people out there who don't and will be frightened. It's just plain wrong.

[@daveyjones6465]

I got one of these this morning too, cheeky bar stewards it went straight in the bin like all of the others

[@andyb7339]

I haven't had a license since 2003, my television works fine without one

[@AngeloScarpa]

My to for 40 years my TV wass black and wite since I stop pay TV licence schy tourney her self in colour

[@Tom-ws2zx]

Honestly Jon, your videos make my day 😂 they’re brilliant and your attitude towards these gimps is bang on. Your videos have definitely transformed over the years but for the better, you’re getting funnier and more wound up as each video comes!

[@My2up2downCastle]

"No thanks, i am not a customer"

[@geoffnichols3831]

Repeatedly sending threatening letters must surely be harrassment.

[@lightinlondon8168]

Good on you Chilli, keep wasting their time and money 🙂

[@Lucky_Red_Fish]

So if I visit my neighbour and watch his TV do I need a license? Or if my neighbour owns the TV I watch in my house do I need a licence? Stupidity of the system.

[@derthephoto2882]

An open request. Has anyone who does not need a tv licence taken out any action to the police for harassment? If so, please let us all know the process and outcome. Thanks.

[@bigolbearthejammydodger6527]

I (middle aged disabled man) got literally assaulted (foot in door shoved hard, punched) by a TVL goon while 2 other stood and watched. Cops did nothing, if they won't act on that then there's no hope. The police are not there to serve us, they are there to serve the crown! Now as it happens while i might be disabled... I'm disabled because I was military and an ex pro fighter (judo, mma etc), it did not end well for the goon who ended up with his arm up his back and his 2 colleagues began furiously disavowing his actions and apologizing. This incident is why i denied access to my property to them, and why I informed them Ill respond with appropriate and legal physical force to enforce my right to privacy.

[@stephenholmes1036]

That is a very good question

[@mikeneill6813]

@@bigolbearthejammydodger6527 I don't suppose you got any of that on camera? Regards.

[@bigolbearthejammydodger6527]

@@mikeneill6813 nope, this was in the days before modern smart phones, phones had cameras but only for still images.

[@mikeneill6813]

@@bigolbearthejammydodger6527 I wonder if Apple are working on a "Time Machine" Mode?

[@themole1944]

I had an email today from the licence people first contact since December 2020,and as usual i ignored it

[@peterloftus6259]

I was surprised to receive two letters from Capita today: The first to ‘the legal occupier’ and the second to ‘the person responsible’. I am returning them unopened as normal.

[@Kattyroo]

Since me and my husband have signed to say we don't need this service, we have never received a letter since. They have also never come knocking on our door.

[@averyvaliant]

On another note, I wonder how much it would cost to send out a (legal) mass mailing leaflet to thousands of people (along with their royal mail mail), informing them of the FACTS about TV licensing. Can you imagine if 100,000 people were to get the real truth about what you need a license for? I bet it would have a huge impact.

[@jenlfpotter3870]

Wouldn't get through to me though. Anything remotely flyer like, straight in the blue bin for the dust cart to collect for recycling. Sorry abou' tha' 🥳

[@DaedalusYoung]

There's a company I found that apparently does it for £8,700 for 100,000 leaflets. You'll probably need to print the leaflets first though, looks like that'll be another £2,000.

[@hicobra]

A 2nd Class stamp is 75p now so if they was sending 100,000 per month that's £75'000 a month or £900'000 per year and I don't believe for one minute they are paying this not even close to it and with privatisation of royal mail they are stealing from shareholders this is not on in my book.

[@wembleyford]

Errr - the letters from the TVLA do exactly that. Why do you want to bombard people with even more junk mail?

[@wembleyford]

The only reason people keep getting letters from the TVLA is because they're too stubborn to tell the TVLA they don't have a TV.

[@Emm.Jaycee]

I got the same letter. The first thing that entered my head was, if some chancer turns up at my house referring to himself as an officer could I report him for impersonating a police officer? It's clearly the game their playing, trying to con people into thinking they're officials, enforcing the law.

[@chrissymon]

@Emm.jaycee. There is no entity in england called a police 'officer'. Every plod is a sworn CONSTABLE, regardless of whatever rank they achieve. 11:06

[@nigel1684]

They prosecuted my daughter for having no TV license when she had paid for a 12 month license up front. She had emails thanking her for buying a license, she had a TV license number. The first thing she knew was when the court contacted her to find out why she hadn't paid her £756.00 fine. She emailed all the documents bact to the court and they have sent it all back to the judge to invalidate the case.

[@susie5668]

How did she get a fine if she had a tvl ,even if you don't they can't just take you to court you have to be stupid enough to let them in!

[@johnwalerzak6786]

She must have let them in, tut tut 😮

[@nigel1684]

@@susie5668 she told them she was watching bbc and Iplayer as she "had" a TV license

[@bashkillszombies]

An officer has a warrant and commission from the head of state. Police only have a warrant, no commission, so even police are not officers. But some hired goon for a company is definitely not an officer. This abuse of rank needs to stop. Impersonating an officer should be against the law. And police impersonating officers should be the first to be punished. Those of us who earned a commission bloody worked hard to get there.

[@williamsteven429]

Chili.... I admire you for your tenacity.... keep on going...!!

[@alanjones9101]

Thanks Jon. I had that EXACT same letter yesterday, so I really appreciate you covering it.

[@Chebawitch]

As the dinghy divers are processed and given free accommodation, in nice houses and flats, that not even our own homeless are entitled to, are the woke BBC going to hand them free TV licences or will they just not knock on their doors?!

[@marylauder3374]

The government will probably give them a licence at our expense!

[@Maynards_so_blue]

the government are pathetic

[@gobbledygook4000]

Hi Jon my wife is scared of these letters. We have moved to a small village. I was working in the front garden when a guy walked past me and knocked on the door TV Licencing. The wife said TALK TO HIM ie me. I said I'm not interested he said your not interested I said no and he left. So fair play to him he was polite but they do go to small villages.

[@johnnicolson467]

I got this one ... I was worried as I had not had one for months.

[@Marsand100]

😂😂😂

[@rob-24971]

This is just like the post office scandal.

[@theskidmarkoforion4829]

I commented on a BBB video where I was saying how they can’t just rock up to the court demanding a warrant without evidence and one person replied..ahhh but if your on a bus watching live tv on your phone and the goon who has obviously been following you sees it then that’s the proof. I give up. Some people are just lost

[@Makalon102]

Does anyone even watch live tv on phone

[@gemlouise1260]

Does it even occur to them that most don't pay because they don't make use of the service? Or do they all just assume we must be watching without paying? 😂

[@Dollar_Store_Cacodemon]

I've had this one a few times too. The same collection of generic templates are just rotated on a cycle and churned out. Its pathetic really.

[@Elcrispo75]

On a different subject I kept getting emails from my energy provider about smart meters and I emailed them back saying that I was not interested and it’s not a legal requirement. I also said this was harassment and they responded and said they won’t email anymore.

[@CodingAbroad]

That’s awesome. I think the moment you drop the “harassment” word in they then back off

[@dwayne_dibley]

Don’t really understand the issue with smart meters. A better tariff and half price leccy on Sundays plus the winter cashback amount to quite a bit.

[@moomin7461]

​@@dwayne_dibleyNot always. My partner got overcharged because her smart meter became faulty. It took many phone calls and much stress and worry, before they finally replaced it.

[@elLooto]

@@dwayne_dibley ...and external control over your power usage. Ask the people of California who couldnt run their AC or their EVs didnt charge after the governor declared an energy emergency.

[@MikeEves]

The next stage is...another letter full of gibberish. Just ignore them, they can't do sh*t. Or just use them as a reminder of how much you are saving...by not having a licence. I've saved over £2k.

[@Rickytricky01]

I think the better idea is to put on your letterbox/postbox the note saying no junk mail, no hawkers, no circulars, no door to door sale's & definitely no tv licencing

[@jenlfpotter3870]

I tried that, but Royal Fail just ignored the decal which is at eye level in huge letters, so I still receive a bunch of please buy my new windows, please buy our new rooves, please buy a new conservatory... nope! sorry! I have no room for one in affordable housing, plus I rent the property, so... straight in the bin with the lot.

[@majorcrime6067]

The only time i had a visit was at my old house a couple of months after i done the declaration thing, been blanking them now for a dozen years and just get the monthly letters. So don't communicate with them.

[@escapednpc60]

The TV tax Mafia. Do not talk to them do not invite them into your house.

[@belcunanan]

Received same letter 2 wks ago...

[@KatCohen-wj1kx]

Jon I had this letter last week! It’s been one year since I moved in I’m still the legal occupant! Exact same letter! And it assumes you will co operate with the officer in the first place!!

[@Number6_]

I have the same letter. This from the same people who drove the tv vans as a scam. This show what sort of credibility they have. TV licencing is a protection racket, illegal in most countries. We should all presure our MPs to put an end to this scandalous behaviour!

[@wembleyford]

What scandalous behaviour? Obeying the law? It's simple - you either need a license or you don't. How do you think that's a 'protection racket'?

[@moorjock]

Been licence free over two years, no letters, no visits ... Then again i live in the middle of nowhere 🤣. One thing i have noticed though ... I do YouGov surveys, and everytime there are questions asking how much TV i have watched in the past week, specificly BBC ?

[@laceandwhisky]

I always past on those questions 😂

[@Marsand100]

😮Sneaky!!! I don't do those surveys

[@lathamallika1482]

you mate are number one ,great advice ,great channel

[@pixelritch4905]

Exactly the same envelope I received after the xmas break,the only letter I got on the 2nd January!! as yet unopened,I got all the letters from 2023 too all 14 of them...unopened!!!

[@Danders1657]

I'm 60 never had a licence in my life, just don't answer the door.