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Are we very unusual no tv

(65 Posts)
creakingandchronic Tue 11-Mar-25 14:33:48

A few years ago 6 to be precise the tv programmes were so dire over the Christmas period we turned the tv off. Time went on and in April we realised we had still not turned it on so got rid of it.
we do have laptops for catch up but do not bother much. The other day at my Reading Group they were discussing a book which was made into a tv show and I was totally lost! Even though everyone else was older than me 70s plus they were amazed I had no tv, made me feel most odd!
TV licensing wont believe us either we have notices saying we are going to be prosecuted often for no tv licence despite us telling them numerous times.
Even on holiday in the chalet we do not turn their tv on either!

Claremont Tue 11-Mar-25 14:39:40

My brother does not have a TV- but yes, it is unusual.

Good for you.

Babs03 Tue 11-Mar-25 14:41:39

One of my grown daughters and her husband made a conscious decision not to own a TV, they do download films and documentaries etc., on their laptops, but not that often. They both like to read and listen to music.

Labradora Tue 11-Mar-25 14:42:32

Each to their own CreakingandChronic.

I confess I have always loved the TV( and the radio) as entertainment and I find it relaxing and diverting.

I don't read nearly as much as I should and that is probably the reason.

OH and I love fiction and dramas but we like sport also; tennis and F1.
For F1 the cost of attending live sport can be prohibitive and as well we are aging so the Box is the preferred option.

Grandma70s Tue 11-Mar-25 14:43:08

It’s nothing to be proud of. There is rubbish on TV, to be sure, but there are also many good and informative programmes. You miss a lot.

fancythat Tue 11-Mar-25 14:48:48

I know a few.
Tends to be those who are very bright people!

Either that, or if they do have one, Top Gear used to be one a handful of programmes they used to watch,

M0nica Tue 11-Mar-25 15:08:23

We have a tv, DH watches it. If I was alone, ours too would be ditched.

It is nothing to do with what's on. I am simply not a watcher. If I sit down, I read a book, magazine,or newspaper, I do not look at anything

I would still by the licence as I listen to the radio a lot and want to pay for my Listening

Elowen33 Tue 11-Mar-25 16:08:09

Many younger people do not have TVs but use tablets, it is personal choice it doesn’t make those that dont any better or worse than those that do.

HeavenLeigh Tue 11-Mar-25 16:51:17

I know a couple of people that don’t if they want to watch anything they use their iPads, I find it unusual I personally love my Tv

aonk Tue 11-Mar-25 16:54:06

Tv has been a lifeline to my DH since he retired and became unwell. I cant imagine not having one although we do other things too and don’t watch it all the time.

crazyH Tue 11-Mar-25 16:55:53

Yes, you are very unusual, but to each his own….

Silverbrooks Tue 11-Mar-25 17:02:27

There is no need to be tied to Christmas scheduling or any scheduling at all.

With so many streaming channels now, I regard my TV and soundbar mostly as a home cinema system.

I watch a lot of film on rented DVD. Far more choice that the average subscription streaming service: 100,000 titles to choose from versus an average of around 5,000 on Netflix etc.

Everdene Tue 11-Mar-25 17:03:58

If you watch BBC iPlayer live or on catch up you need a TV licence, whatever device you are watching on. If you don’t have a licence you could be prosecuted.

M0nica Tue 11-Mar-25 18:12:08

Elowen33

Many younger people do not have TVs but use tablets, it is personal choice it doesn’t make those that dont any better or worse than those that do.

But they still watch tv programs so that is the same as having a tv.

watermeadow Tue 11-Mar-25 18:17:09

I haven’t had a television for about 30 years. Nowadays I do watch some things on iPlayer so need a TV licence.

Mt61 Tue 11-Mar-25 18:28:33

We don’t watch tv, only YouTube & Netflix- nothing live. Don’t miss regular tv. Just filled our form to state that.

Redrobin51 Tue 11-Mar-25 22:16:59

My neighbour doesn't have one . I rarely watch it, but my husband would happily sit there all day watching.

Graceless Tue 11-Mar-25 22:28:17

I didn't have a TV as a child so it was never a habit. We had one when the children were home but I've always been a radio addict. In fact there is so much I want to listen to, I don't think I have time for TV programmes as well,

Mollygo Tue 11-Mar-25 23:04:49

TV/no TV personal choice.
I can’t imagine missing out on all the history or geographical programs, drama, arts and even news, but if you don’t have a TV, you don’t know what you will never see so it won’t bother you.

NotSpaghetti Tue 11-Mar-25 23:40:03

We used to have the TV in the study at the top of the house.
It meant that you had to make a big decision to watch anything.

When we moved house the study was an odd shape and it didn't work
Once it was in the sitting room it was watched a lot more.

Last year we bought a "big" TV (to us)
It has both a great screen and is terrific for radio - it also makes watching "foreign" things with subtitles much easier. The ones on our old 24" TV were often too small even with my glasses on!

Often we don't watch (or listen to) it though - tonight, for example, we listened to the last 90 mins of a novel (on Borrowbox) whilst we did a puzzle.

Just because you have a TV doesn't meanyou must watch it!

nanna8 Wed 12-Mar-25 01:12:04

Not much worth watching these days apart from the news and we tend to just go on Utube but that is pretty limited,too. Good for music. All of them seem to be biased one way or another.

absent Wed 12-Mar-25 03:37:04

After I emigrated to New Zealand I bought a new television. It was mainly for the benefit of my grandchildren. However, my late husband used to switch it on immediately after dinner – sometimes during dinner – and sit watching until late in the evening. He seemed to be obsessed with Claude van Damme movies and always said that he was going to watch his movie. I wasn't given an option. After I had loaded the dish washer and cleared up, I went to bed in the early evening and peacefully read my current library book.

Granan Wed 12-Mar-25 03:54:43

My TV is actually a monitor for my laptop which I operate from the couch on wifi. R

travelsafar Wed 12-Mar-25 08:23:43

I'm finding I turn to my radio more these days. I can do other things while listening. I enjoy trying to teach myself how to paint and radio is the perfect companion while doing this. Its relaxing listening to music or stimulating listening to chat shows .😊

downtoearth Wed 12-Mar-25 09:07:12

I have a TV and licence and a BT package, I very rarely watch anything unless I hear about something I might watch.

I love to read.