• Jade@programming.dev
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        1 day ago

        Nope. You can just plug your TV into the aerial to get BBC + free channels. Netflix and whatever costs extra tho

        • MacN'Cheezus@lemmy.todayOP
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          1 day ago

          I’m surprised that according to the website, they actually let you get away without a license if you only use commercial streaming services and don’t watch any BBC content. In Germany, that excuse doesn’t fly. As long as your device has the capacity to receive aerial broadcast, you have to pay, whether you watch it or not is irrelevant.

          • Shadowedcross@sh.itjust.works
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            11 hours ago

            In theory, but the BBC has been known to harass people into paying, even pressuring you into letting them into your house even though they don’t have the right to do so.

          • Knuschberkeks@leminal.space
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            1 day ago

            afaik in Germany you even have to pay if you have no device that to receive anything. Every household has ro pay wirth a few exeptions.

            • MacN'Cheezus@lemmy.todayOP
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              1 day ago

              Pretty sure not owning ANY broadcast receiving devices is the only way to get around it, but that’s extremely difficult to accomplish. Keep in mind radio counts as well (though you can be eligible for a reduced rate if you only have radio access and no TV), including the one in your car, your stereo, or your alarm clock. Owning a TV with no antenna hooked up does not count either, since it’s trivial to do so, and you could just be hiding an antenna in your attic or your basement.

              Basically, the only way to legally skirt the fee is to live under a bridge or in a forest without any electronic devices besides a flash lamp.

              • ThoGot@feddit.org
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                14 hours ago

                Pretty sure not owning ANY broadcast receiving devices is the only way to get around it

                That was a thing years ago, but nowadays everyone has to pay (except if you have a low income and receive social benefits)

          • Darren@sopuli.xyz
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            8 minutes ago

            Yes, and it’s ad-riddled nonsense.

            The BBC runs no adverts, save for trailers of its own stuff.

      • Deceptichum@quokk.au
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        1 day ago

        Do people elsewhere in the world pay for “cable” tv? I know we had a version here in Australia but it was so rare, no one really used it.

        • Bobby Turkalino@lemmy.yachts
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          1 day ago

          It was pretty big over here in the US, and still is with Gen X and older. Nowadays, pretty much the only reasons to get it are if you’re a sports fan or enjoy brainrot 24/7 news networks