TV - Detector Vans? Myth or Reality?

[Scot Dutchy]

I think Britain and possibly Ireland are the only countries still having a licence requirement.

Nope, we still do, though they are trying to slap the tax on me every year, even though I don't have a telly.

Really. I am surprised but on the other hand it keeps more people in government jobs something very French.

[NineBerry]

The German system until two years ago was like the BBC system. A household had to pay a fee if it had any device where you could receive television or radio. (Smaller fee if you could only receive radio).

This has now been replaced with a system where every household has to pay a fixed fee. Independent of what devices are available.

Money doesn't go to the state but to the public tv and radio broadcasters directly

[MrJonno]

The German system until two years ago was like the BBC system. A household had to pay a fee if it had any device where you could receive television or radio. (Smaller fee if you could only receive radio).

This has now been replaced with a system where every household has to pay a fixed fee. Independent of what devices are available.

Money doesn't go to the state but to the public tv and radio broadcasters directly

Where does the money go, straight to public TV or via the government, there is an importance difference when it comes to government control?

[Rum]

It goes directly to the BBC.

[MrJonno]

Talking about in Germany, in the UK the BBC is about the only thing of any real value here

[NineBerry]

There is an independent organization run by the public tv and radio broadcasters that collects the money and distributes it to the broadcasters. This organization was quite hated in the past because it had the duty to sniff out who owned devices but didn't pay. So they paid people to walk around and gain entry to private apartments under false pretences to look out for television sets.

There is a separate process to decide the amount of the fee. First, the broadcasters themselves propose an amount. Then there is a separate organization that consists of members that are appointed by the separate German states (Bundesländer). It checks the amount proposed by the broadcasters for adequacy and may make another proposal. The final decision is then made by the parliaments of all the Bundesländer where they have to agree on an amount.

[MrJonno]

So can the government local or central block spending each year?, the BBC has its charter reviewed every so often but in between those times the government direct influence is limited

[laklak]

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman.

I never paid it the whole time I lived in the UK. Screw that, catch me if you can.

[Brian Peacock]

I haven't paid for a TV licence for 8 years and they haven't found me yet.

Then again, I haven't had a telly for that long either.

[JimC]

That's a weak excuse!

[pErvinalia]

How does it all work? Do you need a decoder box to get the BBC? Or can anyone watch it without paying the license?

[Brian Peacock]

You have to show ID, give your name and address, and provide references from three upstanding members of the community (magistrate, headteacher, doctor etc) to buy a new television - often this is waived for sexual favours in store.