It’s that time of year when everyone is looking to save money where they can.
After all, the colder weather has arrived, Christmas has been and gone and we’re all feeling the pinch. But one man said there may be a simple way you can save money.
Chris Cork, known as chriscork89 on TikTok, said he made one simple change thanks to the help of Martin Lewis, and it’s saved him over £160. He realised he was paying for something he really didn’t need.
In a candid clip, he said: “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.”
He continued: “A lot of people don’t pay it, including myself, because I do not wach 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.”
Since the video was shared, it’s been viewed more than 14,000 times, and people were quick to comment too. The video has attracted mixed reviews.
One person said: “I only pay for it so I can watch Eastenders.” Another wrote: “Just cancelled mine, after thinking about it for months.”
A third replied: “I stopped paying and cancelled it, even got a refund.” But, a fourth had other ideas, writing: “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 to increase from April, and lots of people are considering axing payments. At the moment, people with a standard colour TV licence pay a yearly sum of £169.50 but, in April, this amount will jump by £5.
But Martin Lewis, the financial guru behind MoneySavingExpert.com, claimed some people are coughing up the cash for the licence when they don’t need it. According to official guidelines, a TV licence is needed to watch or record live broadcasts from any BBC platform, or stream BBC iPlayer programs.
However, you don’t need a TV licence to view streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, or to view free channels like All4, Channel 4 and ITVX. Those aged 75 or above who get Pension Credit, or those who are visually impaired or live in residential care, could be entitled to a free or reduced-rate licence.
When considering whether to bin the licence, it’s vital to know watching BBC content without a licence could lead to legal action, and a fine of up to £1,000, or even £2,000 if you live in Guernsey.
If you’re considering asking for a refund, Martin says you need assess 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
