In a bid to tighten the purse strings, one man has shared a simple money saving tip that could make a real difference to your bank balance.
Chris Cork, who goes by chriscork89 on TikTok, credits Martin Lewis for inspiring him to make a change that’s saved him over £160. In a revealing video, he explained: “Martin Lewis, money saving expert, issues urgent message to anyone who pays for a TV licence.
“Now there are some instances in which you don’t need to pay for the TV licence at all. For example, you don’t need one for the likes of Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video.
“So basically, On Demand. You also don’t need one for Youtube, or to watch DVDs. A lot of people don’t pay it, including myself, because I do not watch live TV.
“I couldn’t get my head around why I’d actually been paying for it. There are many people who shouldn’t be paying it.
“Make sure, if you’re not watching, don’t you pay for the service if you’re not watching live TV. If you only watch what I’ve just read out, you don’t need to be paying for a TV licence. Save your money because, guess what, it’s going up again this year.”
The video has since gone viral, racking up more than 14,000 views, and sparking a debate among viewers. One person commented: “I only pay for it so I can watch Eastenders.”
Another revealed: “Just cancelled mine, after thinking about it for months.” A third chimed in with: “I stopped paying and cancelled it, even got a refund.”
However, another took a different stance, stating: “I work as a TV licence officer. There are lots of people who don’t pay, and are so rude when you go to the door.”
The TV licence fee is set for a hike from April, prompting a surge in viewers pondering the cutoff of their payments. Currently, those with a standard colour TV licence shell out an annual fee of £169.50, but come April, this figure will rise by £5.
Yet Martin Lewis, the savvy financial whizz from MoneySavingExpert.com, has pointed out that some viewers may be unnecessarily parting with their cash for the licence. Official guidelines dictate that a TV licence is essential for watching or recording live broadcasts on any BBC channel, as well as streaming programs on BBC iPlayer.
Nevertheless, platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and free services like All4, Channel 4 and ITVX don’t require a TV licence for viewing. People over the age of 75 receiving Pension Credit, those with visual impairment or residents in care homes may qualify for a gratis or discounted licence.
Before deciding to ditch your licence, bear in mind that tuning into BBC offerings without one could bring about legal headaches, including the possibility of being fined up to £1,000 – or a steep £2,000 if residing in Guernsey.
If you’re contemplating requesting a refund, Martin advises that you need to evaluate the following:
- If you’re moving in with someone who already has a TV licence or moving somewhere where you won’t watch “live TV” or use BBC iPlayer
- If you’re moving abroad
- If you’re 75 or over and receiving Pension Credit (or living with someone who is)
- If you’re moving into a care home
- If the TV licence holder has died, a refund may be due to the estate
- If you have two licences for the same address
- If you have a licence, but will not watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or use BBC iPlayer before your licence expires
- If you’ve changed the type of licence to a cheaper one, such as a black-and-white licence, you may be due a partial refund