TV Licensing: Why do they demand you are always 6 months ahead in payments?

This isn't a moan about paying for a TV licence, but it is about the fact they demand you are always 6 months ahead of payments.

Just moved to a new property, resulting in updating both my address and changing the account the DD is coming from.

Though I use paperless licensing, they've just sent me a letter confirming the changes.

'Next year's TV Licence will then be paid for over twelve months (six months before the licence start date and six months after).'

So the next licence will start being paid for six months before and so on.

Why can they not just collect payments like mobile phone contracts, Landline, Sky and all other services where you pay at the start of a month for a monthly period?

Ian J

Ex Member
Joined Aug 6, 2001 Messages 25,675 Reaction score 4,838 Points 4,510

The answer to your question of "Why do they demand you are always 6 months ahead in payments?" is - because they can

They are a monopoly so can dictate their own credit terms

IronGiant

Moderator
Joined Jun 7, 2003 Messages 81,541 Reaction score 77,472 Points 24,185 Location .

Six months: you're lucky OP. In the olden days you had to go to the Post Office and buy a whole year in advance Then you could buy lickable stamps to stick on a card to save up for next year's. It has always been thus, since time immemorial

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pandemic

Prominent Member
Joined Dec 28, 2008 Messages 4,586 Reaction score 1,163 Points 775 I set payment up as a monthly direct debit, so I only pay a month in advance.

IronGiant

Moderator
Joined Jun 7, 2003 Messages 81,541 Reaction score 77,472 Points 24,185 Location .

That's because you are used to paying monthly, so it feels like you are paying one month at a time. In reality you have probably already paid for this year's and are now paying ahead for next year's.

TV licensing said:

Monthly Direct Debit is our most popular option, giving you the control of smaller monthly instalments with the convenience of automatic payment and renewal. You'll usually pay for your first year's TV Licence within the first six months, at around £24 a month. You'll then pay for your next licence in twelve monthly instalments of just over £12.

Last edited: Nov 19, 2011 My opinions are my own and do not represent those of the AVForums or its associated websites.

Deleted member 92943

Guest

Whats the best way of paying for a TV Licence?

Im getting my 1st flat soon and need to get all this kind of stuff going. Is it cheaper to pay for a year up front?

Hitby

Prominent Member
Joined Feb 2, 2005 Messages 4,820 Reaction score 547 Points 996 Location Middlesbrough

We just pay 12quid a month. You never have to remember to go and get it then

Don't get me started though. I want a full season of F1 for my money

~~Someone told me I was ignorant and apathetic, I don't know what that means, nor do I care.~~
~~I'm not a collector. I'm just behind in my drinking.~~
~~Just remember, you can brush your teeth in the garage but you can't park an e-type in your bathroom.~~

IronGiant

Moderator
Joined Jun 7, 2003 Messages 81,541 Reaction score 77,472 Points 24,185 Location .

Whats the best way of paying for a TV Licence?

Im getting my 1st flat soon and need to get all this kind of stuff going. Is it cheaper to pay for a year up front?

My opinions are my own and do not represent those of the AVForums or its associated websites.

Deleted member 92943

Guest
These are your options: TV Licensing - How would you like to pay for your TV Licence?
Think i'll just cough up the £145.50 in one go and not have to worry about it.

Member 55145

Distinguished Member
Joined Jan 18, 2005 Messages 12,085 Reaction score 3,495 Points 2,139 Because people forget to cancel their DD 6 months before they die

Comments made are my own and should be read in the voice of Joe Pasquale as they are normally meant in jest.​

IronGiant

Moderator
Joined Jun 7, 2003 Messages 81,541 Reaction score 77,472 Points 24,185 Location . Think i'll just cough up the £145.50 in one go and not have to worry about it.

That probably is your "cheapest" option

JagoPlasma said: Because people forget to cancel their DD 6 months before they die
Superb point My opinions are my own and do not represent those of the AVForums or its associated websites.

Sartios

Ex Member
Joined Aug 1, 2010 Messages 3,169 Reaction score 225 Points 547 Age 44

I don't pay them full stop, they are a legal scam to be honest, I don't have a TV license, and never will, all your paying for is BBC1 and BBC2, because they have no adverts like the other channels.

I don't watch any programs anyway, if I do they on the iPlayer which is you don't need a license for, and I don't have an arial running from the port on my wall.

Evolve, or be extinct. ​

hufartd

Established Member
Joined Mar 13, 2005 Messages 480 Reaction score 151 Points 126

i don't watch any programs anyway, if i do they on the iplayer which is you don't need a license for, and i don't have an arial running from the port on my wall.

I never apologise. I'm sorry but it's just the way I am

Sartios

Ex Member
Joined Aug 1, 2010 Messages 3,169 Reaction score 225 Points 547 Age 44

You only need a TV License if you watching television that is feeding live from a signal, pre-recorded shows you don't need one for, such as BBC iPlayer.

Evolve, or be extinct. ​

njdbaxter

Prominent Member
Joined Feb 13, 2008 Messages 3,820 Reaction score 361 Points 724

you dont have to pay 6 months in advance.

mine runs on in jan and DD comes out only a week before that, but i pay in full, none of this monthy crap

fizl

Prominent Member
Joined Apr 21, 2006 Messages 2,170 Reaction score 453 Points 409 Location Not in London

You only need a TV License if you watching television that is feeding live from a signal, pre-recorded shows you don't need one for, such as BBC iPlayer.

Thats sort of correct and not. You need a licence if you watch live streaming from iplayer, but not if it is an on demand show.

Do you need a TV Licence to watch shows on BBC iPlayer?

It depends on whether you’re using BBC iPlayer to watch TV programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV (i.e. “live”) or after they have been broadcast by either downloading programmes or via streaming on demand (on-demand).
You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record television programmes as they’re being shown on TV. The law applies to all viewing and recording devices (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other), regardless of how you receive the television programmes (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the internet on BBC iPlayer or any other way).
The BBC iPlayer allows users to watch programmes “live” as they are being shown on TV (i.e. BBC1, BBC2, BBC News etc.) and on-demand. If you are watching live content (e.g. a programme as it is being shown on BBC1 or BBC News) you will need a TV Licence. If you are using the BBC iPlayer to watch programmes on-demand i.e. after they have been shown, you do not need a TV Licence. Accordingly, depending on the nature of the content being viewed on the BBC iPlayer, a TV Licence may be required.

Wii code 1150 6698 3568 5621 (PM if you add me), PS3 ID fizl

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