You're both kind of right.
You don't HAVE to pay as long as you don't watch live broadcast TV, if you watch TV and don't pay they'll definitely fuck you.
The issue starts with the fact that the BBC absolutely hates it if you aren't paying. They don't seem to believe that anyone could not watch TV. They start sending you letters with big red writing warning you about "investigations have been opened" and "enforcement officers in your area" and fines out the wazoo.
It's scummy as fuck and the BBC will never see a penny from me.
Not The Onion?