TV License evasion

It’s that time of year again, bills, bills, bills. One which craftily sneaks it’s way in each year is the BBC TV license. We’ve seen the adverts warning of court fines and prison, but this isn’t enough to deter around a thousand people in the Lincolnshire area from watching a TV without a license and ultimately – being caught!
Figures revealed by the firm show that in the last quarter of 2010 over 400 people from Lincoln itself, 500 from Grimsby and another 500 from the Scunthorpe area were all targeted for the crime. This is just a segment of the 214,000 people who have been caught avoiding the fee right across the whole of the UK. But is it worth paying for it when it covers the cost of BBC channels?
If like a lot of people and only keep channels 1-4 and don’t mess around with the modern ages of freeview and sky, then paying the total of £145.50 a year for two channels (BBC1 and BBC2) ma not seem worth it.
John Baker, 32, a sales assistant in an electrical appliance shop gave his view as to what he thought of the paying the fee: “I can see why it’s necessary, the BBC can’t be cheap, but I don’t see the point myself when most (if any) of BBC’s interesting shows come on after 9pm. So £150 a year, for probably a max of 2hrs TV every other night just doesn’t really add up. They should make it cheaper.”
Unfortunately for anyone wanting the watch TV whether it be the BBC or not, a license is required.

This is essential even for the likes of recording TV programmes as they are broadcast. Regardless if the broadcast is through a TV set, the computer or any other equipment that can receive signal, such as Playstations and other gadgets.
For those caught in Lincoln, or anywhere else across the UK a fine of up to £1000 and a court sentence is necessary as punishment.

The magistrates caught at Lincoln received over 100 court cases in his halls within the past two months because of this. Mark Whitehouse, TV licensing spokesperson for East Anglia has said: “These figures show our continues effectiveness in catching people who watch TV illegally and therefore penalise the honest majority who do pay.”
“While evaders come from all income groups, we understand that in the current economic climate some people may find it difficult to pay their license fee in one go. This is why we provide numerous ways to spread the cost, including Monthly Debit and a weekly cash payment plan.”
Or alternatively as more and more students seem to be doing – just wait until it becomes available on catch up services! It may take longer, but if it avoids courts and fines, then there’s nothing to lose! Or simply, don’t be caught and pay the license fee.