tv license

[Beso]

should we pay the paedophile supporting bbc a fee to watch tv?

[user104658]

I personally don't pay it but then, I also don't watch regular television any more. But apparently at some point they're going to make it compulsory anyway. Sigh.

That will make me pretty angry, we genuinely don't watch that sort of TV, including "catch up". People are like "but you should still pay if you watch iPlayer!!". OK, fine. I don't. I have no interest in any BBC crap.

We have Netflix and Amazon Prime. Other than that, I tend to game more than watch, and wife prefers going online in the evening. Eldest daughter tends to watch YouTube or films (over and over and over...). We waved bye bye to broadcast television over 6 months ago and I've not missed it at all :shrug:.

[arista]

No


Get rid of this TV License
Take it from the Tax.

[billy123]

I haven't paid Nonce tax for 20 odd years and withdrew implied right of access to the TV licensing bods years ago meaning they arent allowed to step foot on my property or knock on the door. They dont even send letters anymore.

[user104658]

No


Get rid of this TV License
Take it from the Tax.

Nah; Scrap the BBC. Everyone else can put up with lots of nice ads, until they join the 21st century and ditch broadcast television completely. Streaming is the future of television.

[joeysteele]

Oh I better not get started on this one, I detest the very idea of a TV licence, it is time this dinosaur of a charge on people no matter their incomes and people being prosecuted for not having one, was sent to the dark depths of history for good.

I begrudge every single penny of it and would support anyone who wanted to get the pathetic thing and the arrogant people employed at TV Licensing too cleared away with for good.

Shocking to have to pay this at all in my view.

[Mystic Mock]

The problem with the TV License is that my household pays for it just for Reality Shows and Game Shows mainly.

We hardly watch any scripted TV Shows on there.

[Cherie]

The Night Manager was worth every penny of the 3.00 a week :flutter:

[smudgie]

Rather pay the fee than have to watch adverts on all sides.

[Cherie]

Rather pay the fee than have to watch adverts on all sides.


Yep

[Cherie]

Did you watch the Night Manager Smudgie?

[user104658]

Rather pay the fee than have to watch adverts on all sides.

That logic might have been OK when there were only 5 terrestrial channels.... £12.50 a month seems a little bit steep to have no ads on two out of 100+ channels.

Especially for those of us who no longer find anything of worth on the BBC. Cheaply made drama, unfunny "comedy" and biased "news" and documentaries? I'll pass thanks...

[MTVN]

The BBC is brilliant: its tv channels are the best, their radio broadcasting is second to none, their news coverage goes wider than other outlets and all that is because of the license fee. They're not as beholden to commercial interests so they don't have to obsess as much about what's affordable and what will make them money. They can afford to broadcast shows and cover stories which wouldn't be worth their time otherwise.

Find it strange that people will whinge about Murdoch dominating the press, tv having too much reality crap, bias of channels like Fox news, or the cost of sky television and then at the same time they will slate the BBC which acts as a bulwark against all that.

[Crimson Dynamo]

wait, you have to pay for it?

[Cherie]

That logic might have been OK when there were only 5 terrestrial channels.... £12.50 a month seems a little bit steep to have no ads on two out of 100+ channels.

Especially for those of us who no longer find anything of worth on the BBC. Cheaply made drama, unfunny "comedy" and biased "news" and documentaries? I'll pass thanks...


If you never watch the BBC how can you possibly judge what the quality of programming is? Cheaply made drama? The NM cost 3m an episode

[waterhog]

wait, you have to pay for it?

this thread has given me a idea - I might bring in a poetry licence - fortunate for you lot - you won't have to pay because=use you have got me :joker:

[MTVN]

If you never watch the BBC how can you possibly judge what the quality of programming is? Cheaply made drama? The NM cost 3m an episode

Plus War and Peace, Wolf Hall etc. most of the best British dramas in recent years have been by the BBC

[Mystic Mock]

I'm just checking the IMDB scores of all the BBC Shows that I've liked over the years.

My Family - 7.6/10
Life On Mars - 8.4/10
Merlin - 7.9/10
Doctor Who (2005 series) - 8.8/10
Total Wipeout UK - 6.0/10
Weakest Link - 5.5/10
Strictly Come Dancing - 5.9/10
The Voice UK - 6.4/10
Atlantis - 6.7/10
Arthur - 7.5/10

IMDB are so harsh.:laugh:

But yeah I've watched a lot more shows on the BBC than I'd realised, including ones that I hadn't included in the IMDB scores because they didn't seem to register a score because they didn't have enough reviews.

[bots]

I think the BBC is great and worth every penny of the license fee

[Cherie]

MOTD was rubbish when it moved to ITV as well :laugh:

[billy123]

As long as you lovely people keep paying it the boat wont be rocked too much for those that dont so please carry on and thank you :hee:

[arista]

Nah; Scrap the BBC. Everyone else can put up with lots of nice ads, until they join the 21st century and ditch broadcast television completely. Streaming is the future of television.



yes they could try
Morrisons Sponsors Eastenders BBC1HD and soon 4k

[Cherie]

As long as you lovely people keep paying it the boat wont be rocked too much for those that dont so please carry on and thank you :hee:


I don't mind I feel I personally get value for money, I don't mind carrying you along with a few pensioners :laugh:

[Niamh.]

You lot should be happy that the BBC don't have adverts, our national channels do and we still have to pay a licence :fist:

Also, The Voice is on BBC so :love:

[Cherie]

If the Beeb raise the age that pensioners receive a free licence to raise revenue, how will that sit with your social conscience Bob :think:

[billy123]

I don't mind I feel I personally get value for money, I don't mind carrying you along with a few pensioners :laugh:

You lot should be happy that the BBC don't have adverts, our national channels do and we still have to pay a licence :fist:

Also, The Voice is on BBC so :love:I dont really watch much live tv BB is possibly the last thing i watched on live TV other than a bit of sport. Just about anything i watch has long since had the ads removed or is streamed from abroad. I certainly wouldn't get any value from getting a License.
I dont even have a TV aerial on the house.

[Niamh.]

I dont really watch much live tv BB is possibly the last thing i watched on live TV other than a bit of sport. Just about anything i watch has long since had the ads removed or is streamed from abroad. I certainly wouldn't get any value from getting a License.
I dont even have a TV aerial on the house.

Well, this is the way it's going now with internet and streaming channels taking over, that's why they want to change it to a "media licence" here rather than a TV licence :laugh:

[billy123]

Well, this is the way it's going now with internet and streaming channels taking over, that's why they want to change it to a "media licence" here rather than a TV licence :laugh:Yes they will change it but they still wont be able to enforce it. The BBC also now sell their shows all over the world and make an absolute fortune from them yet it has made no difference whatsoever to the price of the license which is weird.

[smudgie]

Did you watch the Night Manager Smudgie?

No, but both son and daughter have raved about it..might have to give it a go on catch up.

[Niamh.]

Yes they will change it but they still wont be able to enforce it. The BBC also now sell their shows all over the world and make an absolute fortune from them yet it has made no difference whatsoever to the price of the license which is weird.

That's not surprising though :laugh:

[arista]

No, but both son and daughter have raved about it..might have to give it a go on catch up.


Yes 10 Outta 10

[Cherie]

I dont really watch much live tv BB is possibly the last thing i watched on live TV other than a bit of sport. Just about anything i watch has long since had the ads removed or is streamed from abroad. I certainly wouldn't get any value from getting a License.
I dont even have a TV aerial on the house.


It's not really an issue of how often you watch it, as you could apply that to any tax ie some people have never signed on, some people have has no kids but still pay towards funding child benefit, licence payers fund the free licence for over 75's, 3.00 a week is nothing to give the elderly an advert free TV service

[hijaxers]

No, but both son and daughter have raved about it..might have to give it a go on catch up.

Its very good deffo worth watching

[billy123]

It's not really an issue of how often you watch it, as you could apply that to any tax ie some people have never signed on, some people have has no kids but still pay towards funding child benefit, licence payers fund the free licence for over 75's, 3.00 a week is nothing to give the elderly an advert free TV serviceBut it isnt a tax it is a fee that you pay for a service. I dont use it.
BB and any football i watch arent on the BBC or if they are they are also available on multiple other channels around the world via the internet.

I dont watch any live broadcasts that the BBC supply and i dont remember the last time i listened to any of their radio stations so dont need to pay.

[Cherie]

But it isnt a tax it is a fee that you pay for a service. I dont use it. BB and any football i watch arent on the BBC or if they are they are also available on multiple other channels around the world via the internet.

So basically you are all right Jack, its a fee or an indirect tax and it funds a free licence for poor housebound Ethel with arthritic hips who can't afford broadband and has never heard of netfix..3.00 a week Bob, how can you be so cruel :sad:

[billy123]

So basically you are all right Jack, its a fee or an indirect tax and it funds a free licence for poor housebound Ethel with arthritic hips who can't afford broadband and has never heard of netfix..3.00 a week Bob, how can you be so cruel :sad:Ethel has already proven capable of rustling up a few quid a week when she needs to :hehe:
But really its not compulsory to pay it if you dont use it so i dont no wrongdoing involved.

[Cherie]

Ethel has already proven capable of rustling up a few quid a week when she needs to :hehe:
But really its not compulsory to pay it if you dont use it so i dont no wrongdoing involved.

Maybe Ethel is running a FB lottery :laugh:

[Kizzy]

It's not really an issue of how often you watch it, as you could apply that to any tax ie some people have never signed on, some people have has no kids but still pay towards funding child benefit, licence payers fund the free licence for over 75's, 3.00 a week is nothing to give the elderly an advert free TV service

So on top of what Bob shells out already in direct and indirect taxes, utilities his own personal charities and whatever other outgoings he has he should pay for this service he doesn't use as heaven forbid it should come out of their profits?

He would be an April fool to do that, he'd be an all day everyday fool :laugh:

[Cherie]

So on top of what Bob shells out already in direct and indirect taxes, utilities his own personal charities and whatever other outgoings he has he should pay for this service he doesn't use as heaven forbid it should come out of their profits?

He would be an April fool to do that, he'd be an all day everyday fool :laugh:


Er yes because we all pay taxes directly or indirectly and don't use all the services they pay for, why should this be any different? I find it interesting that some of the most vocal on social justice on this forum are swerving this tax even though it pays for free licences for the over 75s, the age may be raised or the free licence scrapped altogether as more and more people stop paying "because they don't use the service".

[Marsh.]

Yes they will change it but they still wont be able to enforce it. The BBC also now sell their shows all over the world and make an absolute fortune from them yet it has made no difference whatsoever to the price of the license which is weird.

Because the BBC channels themselves supported by the license fee are a separate entity to BBC Worldwide which is also funded by advertising.

[Kizzy]

Er yes because we all pay taxes directly or indirectly and don't use all the services they pay for, why should this be any different? I find it interesting that some of the most vocal on social justice on this forum are swerving this tax even though it pays for free licences for the over 75s, the age may be raised or the free licence scrapped altogether as more and more people stop paying "because they don't use the service".

He doesn't mind paying tax no, but this is not a tax, nor is it a social justice issue.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/bills-and-utilities/tv/the-legal-way-to-avoid-paying-the-tv-licence-fee/

[DemolitionRed]

Having lived in America where every TV channel is interrupted with ten minutes of adverts every ten minutes, I'm glad we still have the BBC.

[Cherie]

He doesn't mind paying tax no, but this is not a tax, nor is it a social justice issue.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/bills-and-utilities/tv/the-legal-way-to-avoid-paying-the-tv-licence-fee/


We don't know whether he minds or not :shrug: and yes it is a social issue as free licences are funded are the licence payer and TV is the only company a lot of oldies have

[joeysteele]

I'd actually rather just have a pay per view for the BBC since all I watch on it is The Voice,which is now going to ITV thankfully.
Question Time which is well past its sell by date now too anyway.

Sky News is the main news channel I watch and the only BBC channel I watch most in the main is the BBC Parliament channel.

I find it obscene that someone really rich with a massive house and a TV in every room almost,pays exactly the same fee as someone in a one bedroomed flat with one TV,whether they are working or even on jobseekers allowance only.

I also think, especially as to news programming now,the BBC has gone down rapidly as to keeping debate going and on track and also in their reporting of major events too.

Wimbledon I will watch on the BBC and its coverage there used to be brilliant, however even that has gone down the drain and has become more a talking shop on the BBC now.

No I would happily see the licence got rid of completely it is far from worth it now and fine when there were only about 5 channels but a ridiculous thing to have in the multi channel age we are in now.

[Marsh.]

The Voice,which is now going to ITV thankfully.

They will destroy it. :worry:

[Kizzy]

We don't know whether he minds or not :shrug: and yes it is a social issue as free licences are funded are the licence payer and TV is the only company a lot of oldies have

Seeing as that is what funds essential services not the BBC licence fee, he wouldn't be much of a social justice advocate if he did * personally speaking.

BBC UK made almost £53 million in profit in 3014/15 so please don't be worrying that Bobs failure to use a service he doesn't require will prevent gladys watching Eastenders....it won't.

I never use trains, have I to buy a ticket occasionally so Arriva can afford their concessions?


http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annual-review/annual-review-2015.aspx

[Vicky.]

I haven't paid Nonce tax for 20 odd years and withdrew implied right of access to the TV licensing bods years ago meaning they arent allowed to step foot on my property or knock on the door. They dont even send letters anymore.

Ooh how do I do this? I don't pay it either and its a pain in the arse getting visits every few weeks by someone who reckons I absolutely have to let them inside my house..arguing the same point over and over is annoying :laugh:

[Cherie]

Seeing as that is what funds essential services not the BBC licence fee, he wouldn't be much of a social justice advocate if he did * personally speaking.

BBC UK made almost £53 million in profit in 3014/15 so please don't be worrying that Bobs failure to use a service he doesn't require will prevent gladys watching Eastenders....it won't.

I never use trains, have I to buy a ticket occasionally so Arriva can afford their concessions?

No because you are not legally bound to buy a train ticket. Realistically speaking who do you think will lose out if public funding continues to drop?

[Vicky.]

No because you are not legally bound to buy a train ticket. Realistically speaking who do you think will lose out if public funding continues to drop?

I don't think you are actually legally bound to pay for a tv license either...only time you get took to court is if you sign something the tv license people bring round with them. So..doesn't this mean you are only 'bound' once you sign the disclaimer to say they can prosecute you?

[Vicky.]

Anyway, I will never see TV license the same as the likes of taxes. I stopped paying mine once I realised it was being used to hide the actions (and pay ridiculous amounts to) paedophiles...step too far tbh. Plus I never watch any of their stuff anyway :shrug:

I didn't pay it for ages,. then decided I may aswell...then all the paedo stuff came out so went back to not paying :laugh:

[Cherie]

I don't think you are actually legally bound to pay for a tv license either...only time you get took to court is if you sign something the tv license people bring round with them. So..doesn't this mean you are only 'bound' once you sign the disclaimer to say they can prosecute you?


If you watch live TV you need a licence, if you watch on catch up you don't at least that is how I read it, I couldn't be doing with people knocking on my door, I'd rather pay up

[Vicky.]

If you watch live TV you need a licence, if you watch on catch up you don't at least that is how I read it, I couldn't be doing with people knocking on my door, I'd rather pay up

They cannot take you to court (and thus prosecute..fine...anything) until you sign their disclaimer saying they can prosecute you though. Which is a bit stupid but so many people fall for it and sign it :facepalm:

[Cherie]

They cannot take you to court (and thus prosecute..fine...anything) until you sign their disclaimer saying they can prosecute you though. Which is a bit stupid but so many people fall for it and sign it :facepalm:

Oh right, I'm trying to find your wedding thread so you can tell us how it went :laugh:

[Vicky.]

Ahh I forgot about that thread..will update later :laugh: My mother never bothered coming, and ceremony was short, james screamed whole way through but got some OK photos. Thats about it :joker:

[Cherie]

Ahh I forgot about that thread..will update later :laugh: My mother never bothered coming, and ceremony was short, james screamed whole way through but got some OK photos. Thats about it :joker:

D: your Mum

[Vicky.]

D: your Mum

She chose to go on holiday instead D:

[Kizzy]

No because you are not legally bound to buy a train ticket. Realistically speaking who do you think will lose out if public funding continues to drop?

You're not legally bound to get a TV licence either.

'Is this legal? Yes, you don't need a licence so long as you are not watching live TV and are only watching on-demand or catch-up. However, TV Licensing says its figures show less than 2% of people only watch catch-up TV – so don't cancel your licence unless you are absolutely sure you don't need it.'

Personally seeing as 'auntie' beeb has fallen out with the govt I can't see a future for the TV licence, will that impact on gladys? Who knows. There are other channels...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence

[Cherie]

You're not legally bound to get a TV licence either.

'Is this legal? Yes, you don't need a licence so long as you are not watching live TV and are only watching on-demand or catch-up. However, TV Licensing says its figures show less than 2% of people only watch catch-up TV – so don't cancel your licence unless you are absolutely sure you don't need it.'

Personally seeing as 'auntie' beeb has fallen out with the govt I can't see a future for the TV licence, will that impact on gladys? Who knows. There are other channels...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence

I've posted that already, do you not watch question time live then :laugh: Gladys generation like to do things by the book so if their free licence was taken away most would worry about paying it whether the viewed BBC or not

[Cherie]

She chose to go on holiday instead D:


D:

[Kizzy]

She chose to go on holiday instead D:

Aw vicky :( I would've stood in but my nephew got married the same day :laugh:

[Kizzy]

I've posted that already, do you not watch question time live then :laugh: Gladys generation like to do things by the book so if their free licence was taken away most would worry about paying it whether the viewed BBC or not

Do you have shares in the BBC Cherie? :laugh:

The BBC will have to make the over 75s aware of the situation then, jeez you can't expect the nation to carry on paying almost £150 a year just incase there's some confusion.

[billy123]

Ooh how do I do this? I don't pay it either and its a pain in the arse getting visits every few weeks by someone who reckons I absolutely have to let them inside my house..arguing the same point over and over is annoying :laugh:There is a template letter here. http://tvlicencegoons.blogspot.co.uk/ you dont even have to put your name on it just put from the legal occupier and send it registered post so they cant deny they received it. They will write back to ask for your name so they can confirm you are you occupier but if just ignore that you are rid of them for good.
If they knock on your door after that you can have them prosecuted for trespassing.(they wont though)

Im shocked many people think it is something you have to pay.

[Beso]

I haven't paid Nonce tax for 20 odd years and withdrew implied right of access to the TV licensing bods years ago meaning they arent allowed to step foot on my property or knock on the door. They dont even send letters anymore.

you need to apply for big brother, ah would watch you all day:

[Beso]

Having lived in America where every TV channel is interrupted with ten minutes of adverts every ten minutes, I'm glad we still have the BBC.

do you pay for it, the bbc?

[MTVN]

Strangely it is normally the Tories and right of centre accused of undermining the BBC and wanting an all privatised media, not the case in this thread

[Mystic Mock]

You lot should be happy that the BBC don't have adverts, our national channels do and we still have to pay a licence :fist:

Also, The Voice is on BBC so :love:

That sounds like a rip off to me.

People in Ireland should seriously kick up a stink about that.

[billy123]

Strangely it is normally the Tories and right of centre accused of undermining the BBC and wanting an all privatised media, not the case in this threadI think we all tend to get pigeonholed on here. Politics isnt really a team sport (well it is for some on here which i find really weird) You can only put your support behind a party you find more in common with it would be bizarre to totally agree or disagree with everything any party says or does.

[Jamie89]

I think we all tend to get pigeonholed on here. Politics isnt really a team sport (well it is for some on here which i find really weird) You can only put your support behind a party you find more in common with it would be bizarre to totally agree or disagree with everything any party says or does.
I agree, it's really frustrating sometimes when people assume your thoughts on every issue just because of a general political leaning.

[Kizzy]

Strangely it is normally the Tories and right of centre accused of undermining the BBC and wanting an all privatised media, not the case in this thread

Personally I feel the BBC are a tory mouthpiece who are currently over a barrel to keep the licence fee.
I have never seen an anti BBC comment on here (apart from Aristas) due to the BBC being seen as some great British institution (prior to savilegate obv.) There are those who see it as their civic duty to pay the fee and may or may not have the licence framed, what their politics are I don't know, I don't like to pigeonhole people.

[MTVN]

Just making an observation folks :pipe:

[Kizzy]

Thanks :thumbs:

[joeysteele]

All I know is I was a Conservative until I was 18, I voted Lib Dem in 2010,my first ever general election vote, and am now a firm Labour supporter.
However since realising at aged 13 we had to have one, all through my life to now 24,I have been 100% against the TV licence being necessary in this day and age.

[AnnieK]

I pay my licence fee as I don't want people knocking on my door....I detest council tax far more than licence fees. The government take enough tax off me monthly without another £100+ a month to effectively have my bins emptied.

[T*]

The BBC is ****- the only real thing we watch from it since they snatched away BBC3 was GBBO, some interior designer thing on BBC2 and I watch Eurovision annually.
I really don't think we should pay for such garbage and other countries get by just fine without one and also produce excellent TV
It's bizarre

[Will.]

The BBC is ****- the only real thing we watch from it since they snatched away BBC3 was GBBO, some interior designer thing on BBC2 and I watch Eurovision annually.
I really don't think we should pay for such garbage and other countries get by just fine without one and also produce excellent TV
It's bizarre

Pretty much this, oh and EastEnders.

They produce some excellent dramas but so do ITV/CH4.

[Cherie]

I pay my licence fee as I don't want people knocking on my door....I detest council tax far more than licence fees. The government take enough tax off me monthly without another £100+ a month to effectively have my bins emptied.

Indeed, I thought I was in my own with MTVN in paying the licence fee there for a bit :hee:

[MTVN]

Mind you I have no problem with council tax either considering how local government have bore the brunt of so many cutbacks

Just to throw another spanner into the works :pipe2:

[Cherie]

Mind you I have no problem with council tax either considering how local government have bore the brunt of so many cutbacks

Just to throw another spanner into the works :pipe2:

We had 1.60 or something ridiculous added for social care I wouldn't mind I'm paying anyway add a fiver and do a decent job

[Beso]

in my opinion it's not about value for money but more about morals. i mean how can any parent look themselves in the mirror after paying money to a private company whos senior staff has turned a blind eye and allowed paedophilia and paedophiles to flourish and operate in its buildings!

[Mystic Mock]

The BBC is ****- the only real thing we watch from it since they snatched away BBC3 was GBBO, some interior designer thing on BBC2 and I watch Eurovision annually.
I really don't think we should pay for such garbage and other countries get by just fine without one and also produce excellent TV
It's bizarre

The BBC have the best scripted dramas in the UK imo, if you took the License away a lot of people will lose their jobs because they'll be less wages to handout, there will also be a serious culling of shows that might be even slightly expensive, and of course a serious quality drop in the writing department due to less of a budget.

Without the BBC having extra funds to create quality scripted shows, what would the UK have apart from boring Soap Operas and the shadow of the former selves in Reality TV?

I however feel like the BBC could make a bit more shows for my personal tastes, and that there was a way to make quality shows without having to have adverts that go on for 8 minutes (which actually happened when my Nephew was watching Peppa Pig on Nick Jr) it's ridiculous and there's no need for it from these Channels other than pure greed, and it makes it harder for people to get into the episodes of these shows, or in my Nephew's case due to being really young he wants me to turn over to another Cartoon.

[bots]

in my opinion it's not about value for money but more about morals. i mean how can any parent look themselves in the mirror after paying money to a private company whos senior staff has turned a blind eye and allowed paedophilia and paedophiles to flourish and operate in its buildings!

That's not a problem with the concept of the BBC though, that's individuals that will change over time.

[user104658]

I however feel like the BBC could make a bit more shows for my personal tastes, and that there was a way to make quality shows without having to have adverts that go on for 8 minutes (which actually happened when my Nephew was watching Peppa Pig on Nick Jr) it's ridiculous and there's no need for it from these Channels other than pure greed, and it makes it harder for people to get into the episodes of these shows, or in my Nephew's case due to being really young he wants me to turn over to another Cartoon.

There is, it's called Netflix, which has put out more quality scripted television in the last three years than the BBC has in the last 20, to watch whenever you want, with precisely zero ads.

It (or another service) would also snap up the likes of Doctor Who and other popular scripted BBC material in a heartbeat if the BBC was to go under.

The reason that the number and length of ads on commercial television is increasing is that they need to spam more ads to break even, because traditional broadcast telly is dying. There's a very good reason that the BBC is scrabbling to properly monetise iPlayer. Can't come soon enough. Bye bye BBC, bye bye ad breaks, hello 21st century, with on demand viewing of high quality scripted television that isn't reliant on a broken live viewing "ratings system" for survival. Ahhhh.

[edited to add] BTW it has peppa. As does YouTube, which is free! For the love of God, get a smartTV, or at least a Fire Stick or something.

[Beso]

That's not a problem with the concept of the BBC though, that's individuals that will change over time.

it shouldn't be given the chance.:fist:

[T*]

There is, it's called Netflix, which has put out more quality scripted television in the last three years than the BBC has in the last 20, to watch whenever you want, with precisely zero ads.

It (or another service) would also snap up the likes of Doctor Who and other popular scripted BBC material in a heartbeat if the BBC was to go under.

The reason that the number and length of ads on commercial television is increasing is that they need to spam more ads to break even, because traditional broadcast telly is dying. There's a very good reason that the BBC is scrabbling to properly monetise iPlayer. Can't come soon enough. Bye bye BBC, bye bye ad breaks, hello 21st century, with on demand viewing of high quality scripted television that isn't reliant on a broken live viewing "ratings system" for survival. Ahhhh.

[edited to add] BTW it has peppa. As does YouTube, which is free! For the love of God, get a smartTV, or at least a Fire Stick or something.



:clap1:

[billy123]

The time for the BBC to move to a subscription model is well overdue.
The outdated institution that is the BBC is hastening the death of broadcast TV the sooner it buggers off to a subscription only service the better. I have no interest in anything they have to offer purely because of the way they attempt to extort payment for their services.

[Cherie]

I would have no issue with a subscription service as long as it made provision for the current lot of over 75s who have a free licence and for those reaching that age say in the next ten years it would be unfair to take away this benefit from those who already have it. It would be a fairer system all round no payee no viewee :D: I found this thread very enlightening thanks for starting it Parmy

[Jack_]

The BBC has been criminally underrated in this thread. MTVN pretty much nailed it but I think it's on near enough the same pedestal as the NHS in terms of what Britons should be proud of.

There is so much to it and there should be something for everyone: its sports coverage is unrivalled, its drama is excellent, documentaries are top notch and go further than a lot of commercial ones do since they aren't chasing revenue and ratings, its radio networks blow the rest of the market out of the water in terms of quality, well targeted programming, it covers festivals and live music events like no others and its news coverage is the most nonpartisan of all the mainstream broadcasters and arguably printed press in the country.

The arguments against that last point are incredibly tedious too. You have people on the right complaining that the BBC is has a lefty liberal hand-wringing champagne socialist Marxist agenda, while its critics on the left think it's a centre-right Conservative/UKIP mouthpiece. What does this actually tell you? That's correct, that it's neither...or rather both. Yes Nigel Farage gets a hell of a lot of screentime, yes there are plenty of examples of how the Tories were let off the hook during the election campaign and how Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism that David Cameron does not under similar circumstances, but so too has there been a number of documentaries about tax avoidance and underhand tactics by the government...where would you find these on a commercial rival in amongst the newest inflammatory documentary about immigrants on benefits with ten kids? That's because it goes back to my earlier point - the BBC can produce this kind of programming as it's not chasing after revenue and ratings to the same extent that commercial rivals are.

Subscription services suck too. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of good programming offered by streaming outlets like Netflix, and there is definitely weight to the argument that viewers should be entitled to watch things when they want, but do I want this to replace live, scheduled television altogether? No I do not, because there is still and always will be something exciting and in-the-moment about scheduled TV, an experience that can be shared by everyone viewing at the time. Perhaps it will become the distant past in the future, but I sure hope it doesn't for a long time, and I begrudge people who wish it along.

There are many things the BBC are doing wrong at the minute - taking BBC3 off air, peddling an age-specific mantra on Radio 1, arguably being a mouthpiece for the government - but the blame for all of these things can either be placed at the hands of the awful BBC Trust, or indeed the government of the time who oversees its status. Is it any wonder that the BBC appears to be in favour of the government in its news coverage when it faces such stiff opposition and a threat to its existence by those very same people?

I understand why some people don't or don't wish to pay the licence fee, and hell as a student I've tried not to pay it too (but when I have more money I won't care at all), so do I think it should be compulsory? Not really, but scrapped altogether? Absolutely not. We should be really, really proud of the BBC - for all of its historical shortcomings, it's an incredible British institution that offers so much to so many people around the world. The day that is replaced by a monopoly of ratings and revenue seeking networks with shouty news and tacky, sensationalist programming - will be a rather bleak one.

[joeysteele]

The BBC has been criminally underrated in this thread. MTVN pretty much nailed it but I think it's on near enough the same pedestal as the NHS in terms of what Britons should be proud of.

There is so much to it and there should be something for everyone: its sports coverage is unrivalled, its drama is excellent, documentaries are top notch and go further than a lot of commercial ones do since they aren't chasing revenue and ratings, its radio networks blow the rest of the market out of the water in terms of quality, well targeted programming, it covers festivals and live music events like no others and its news coverage is the most nonpartisan of all the mainstream broadcasters and arguably printed press in the country.

The arguments against that last point are incredibly tedious too. You have people on the right complaining that the BBC is has a lefty liberal hand-wringing champagne socialist Marxist agenda, while its critics on the left think it's a centre-right Conservative/UKIP mouthpiece. What does this actually tell you? That's correct, that it's neither...or rather both. Yes Nigel Farage gets a hell of a lot of screentime, yes there are plenty of examples of how the Tories were let off the hook during the election campaign and how Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism that David Cameron does not under similar circumstances, but so too has there been a number of documentaries about tax avoidance and underhand tactics by the government...where would you find these on a commercial rival in amongst the newest inflammatory documentary about immigrants on benefits with ten kids? That's because it goes back to my earlier point - the BBC can produce this kind of programming as it's not chasing after revenue and ratings to the same extent that commercial rivals are.

Subscription services suck too. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of good programming offered by streaming outlets like Netflix, and there is definitely weight to the argument that viewers should be entitled to watch things when they want, but do I want this to replace live, scheduled television altogether? No I do not, because there is still and always will be something exciting and in-the-moment about scheduled TV, an experience that can be shared by everyone viewing at the time. Perhaps it will become the distant past in the future, but I sure hope it doesn't for a long time, and I begrudge people who wish it along.

There are many things the BBC are doing wrong at the minute - taking BBC3 off air, peddling an age-specific mantra on Radio 1, arguably being a mouthpiece for the government - but the blame for all of these things can either be placed at the hands of the awful BBC Trust, or indeed the government of the time who oversees its status. Is it any wonder that the BBC appears to be in favour of the government in its news coverage when it faces such stiff opposition and a threat to its existence by those very same people?

I understand why some people don't or don't wish to pay the licence fee, and hell as a student I've tried not to pay it too (but when I have more money I won't care at all), so do I think it should be compulsory? Not really, but scrapped altogether? Absolutely not. We should be really, really proud of the BBC - for all of its historical shortcomings, it's an incredible British institution that offers so much to so many people around the world. The day that is replaced by a monopoly of ratings and revenue seeking networks with shouty news and tacky, sensationalist programming - will be a rather bleak one.

While I remain at this time a solid anti TV licence individual, I can see the merits of all you have said and I also have to say your post above is one of the best I have ever read on TIBB.

Really strong post and I for one will think on it.

[zakman440]

What Jack said :clap1:

[Cherie]

The BBC has been criminally underrated in this thread. MTVN pretty much nailed it but I think it's on near enough the same pedestal as the NHS in terms of what Britons should be proud of.

There is so much to it and there should be something for everyone: its sports coverage is unrivalled, its drama is excellent, documentaries are top notch and go further than a lot of commercial ones do since they aren't chasing revenue and ratings, its radio networks blow the rest of the market out of the water in terms of quality, well targeted programming, it covers festivals and live music events like no others and its news coverage is the most nonpartisan of all the mainstream broadcasters and arguably printed press in the country.

The arguments against that last point are incredibly tedious too. You have people on the right complaining that the BBC is has a lefty liberal hand-wringing champagne socialist Marxist agenda, while its critics on the left think it's a centre-right Conservative/UKIP mouthpiece. What does this actually tell you? That's correct, that it's neither...or rather both. Yes Nigel Farage gets a hell of a lot of screentime, yes there are plenty of examples of how the Tories were let off the hook during the election campaign and how Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism that David Cameron does not under similar circumstances, but so too has there been a number of documentaries about tax avoidance and underhand tactics by the government...where would you find these on a commercial rival in amongst the newest inflammatory documentary about immigrants on benefits with ten kids? That's because it goes back to my earlier point - the BBC can produce this kind of programming as it's not chasing after revenue and ratings to the same extent that commercial rivals are.

Subscription services suck too. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of good programming offered by streaming outlets like Netflix, and there is definitely weight to the argument that viewers should be entitled to watch things when they want, but do I want this to replace live, scheduled television altogether? No I do not, because there is still and always will be something exciting and in-the-moment about scheduled TV, an experience that can be shared by everyone viewing at the time. Perhaps it will become the distant past in the future, but I sure hope it doesn't for a long time, and I begrudge people who wish it along.

There are many things the BBC are doing wrong at the minute - taking BBC3 off air, peddling an age-specific mantra on Radio 1, arguably being a mouthpiece for the government - but the blame for all of these things can either be placed at the hands of the awful BBC Trust, or indeed the government of the time who oversees its status. Is it any wonder that the BBC appears to be in favour of the government in its news coverage when it faces such stiff opposition and a threat to its existence by those very same people?

I understand why some people don't or don't wish to pay the licence fee, and hell as a student I've tried not to pay it too (but when I have more money I won't care at all), so do I think it should be compulsory? Not really, but scrapped altogether? Absolutely not. We should be really, really proud of the BBC - for all of its historical shortcomings, it's an incredible British institution that offers so much to so many people around the world. The day that is replaced by a monopoly of ratings and revenue seeking networks with shouty news and tacky, sensationalist programming - will be a rather bleak one.

Superb post, Netflix and it's ilk are fine and have their place but it's not very diverse and you can't beat viewing live TV maybe that's an old fashioned view these days :shrug:

[zakman440]

Just to further the point about converting the BBC into a subscription service - Armando Iannucci and Russell T Davies have both argued against this move superbly:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34064794

https://www.facebook.com/radiotimes/videos/10153556562046075/

[Kizzy]

The BBC has been criminally underrated in this thread. MTVN pretty much nailed it but I think it's on near enough the same pedestal as the NHS in terms of what Britons should be proud of.

There is so much to it and there should be something for everyone: its sports coverage is unrivalled, its drama is excellent, documentaries are top notch and go further than a lot of commercial ones do since they aren't chasing revenue and ratings, its radio networks blow the rest of the market out of the water in terms of quality, well targeted programming, it covers festivals and live music events like no others and its news coverage is the most nonpartisan of all the mainstream broadcasters and arguably printed press in the country.

The arguments against that last point are incredibly tedious too. You have people on the right complaining that the BBC is has a lefty liberal hand-wringing champagne socialist Marxist agenda, while its critics on the left think it's a centre-right Conservative/UKIP mouthpiece. What does this actually tell you? That's correct, that it's neither...or rather both. Yes Nigel Farage gets a hell of a lot of screentime, yes there are plenty of examples of how the Tories were let off the hook during the election campaign and how Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism that David Cameron does not under similar circumstances, but so too has there been a number of documentaries about tax avoidance and underhand tactics by the government...where would you find these on a commercial rival in amongst the newest inflammatory documentary about immigrants on benefits with ten kids? That's because it goes back to my earlier point - the BBC can produce this kind of programming as it's not chasing after revenue and ratings to the same extent that commercial rivals are.

Subscription services suck too. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of good programming offered by streaming outlets like Netflix, and there is definitely weight to the argument that viewers should be entitled to watch things when they want, but do I want this to replace live, scheduled television altogether? No I do not, because there is still and always will be something exciting and in-the-moment about scheduled TV, an experience that can be shared by everyone viewing at the time. Perhaps it will become the distant past in the future, but I sure hope it doesn't for a long time, and I begrudge people who wish it along.

There are many things the BBC are doing wrong at the minute - taking BBC3 off air, peddling an age-specific mantra on Radio 1, arguably being a mouthpiece for the government - but the blame for all of these things can either be placed at the hands of the awful BBC Trust, or indeed the government of the time who oversees its status. Is it any wonder that the BBC appears to be in favour of the government in its news coverage when it faces such stiff opposition and a threat to its existence by those very same people?

I understand why some people don't or don't wish to pay the licence fee, and hell as a student I've tried not to pay it too (but when I have more money I won't care at all), so do I think it should be compulsory? Not really, but scrapped altogether? Absolutely not. We should be really, really proud of the BBC - for all of its historical shortcomings, it's an incredible British institution that offers so much to so many people around the world. The day that is replaced by a monopoly of ratings and revenue seeking networks with shouty news and tacky, sensationalist programming - will be a rather bleak one.

Nobody accuses the BBC of having a left wing bias, except a right wing govt.

'Accusations of a left-wing bias were often made against the Corporation by members of Margaret Thatcher's 1980s Conservative government. Norman Tebbit called the BBC the "Stateless Person's Broadcasting Corporation" because of what he regarded as its unpatriotic and neutral coverage of the Falklands War, and Conservative MP Peter Bruinvels called it the "Bolshevik Broadcasting Corporation."[1] Steve Barnett wrote in The Observer in 2001 that in 1983. Stuart Young, the "accountant and brother of one of Thatcher's staunchest cabinet allies", David Young, was appointed as BBC chairman. After him, in 1986, came Marmaduke Hussey, a "brother-in-law of another Cabinet Minister. ... According to the then-Tory party chairman, Norman Tebbit, Hussey was appointed 'to get in there and sort the place out'".[2]'

Former political editor Andrew Marr argued in 2006 that the liberal bias of the BBC is the product of the types of people the Corporation employs, and is thus cultural not political.[8] In 2011, Peter Oborne wrote in his Daily Telegraph blog, "Rather than representing the nation as a whole, it [the BBC] has become a vital resource – and sometimes attack weapon – for a narrow, arrogant Left-Liberal elite".[12]

Speaking to journalists at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch in 2009, Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Cabinet Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, claimed that BBC News needed more Conservatives: "I wish they would go and actively look for some Conservatives to be part of their news-gathering team, because they have acknowledged that one of their problems is that people who want to work at the Corporation tend to be from the centre-left. That's why they have this issue with what Andrew Marr called an innate liberal bias."[13]

Other commentators have taken the opposite view and criticised the BBC for being part of The Establishment. The commentator Mehdi Hasan in the New Statesman pointed out the right-wing backgrounds of many BBC presenters and journalists, querying why even many "liberals and leftists" accept the right's description of BBC bias.[14] Guardian columnist Owen Jones is also of the opinion that the BBC is biased towards the right owing to numerous key posts being filled by Conservatives.[15]

A study by Cardiff University academics, funded by the BBC Trust, was published in August 2013, examining the BBC's coverage of a broad range of issues. One of the findings was the dominance of party political sources. In coverage of immigration, the EU and religion, these accounted for 49.4% of all source appearances in 2007 and 54.8% in 2012. The data also showed that the Conservative Party received significantly more airtime than the Labour Party. In 2012 Conservative leader David Cameron outnumbered Labour leader Ed Miliband in appearances by a factor of nearly four to one (53 to 15), while Conservative cabinet members and ministers outnumbered their Labour counterparts by more than four to one (67 to 15).[16]

Former Director General of the BBC, Greg Dyke, has criticised the BBC as part of a "Westminster conspiracy" to maintain the British political system.[17]

During times of conservative rule there is a distinct shift to the right in organisational structure, staffing and programming.
Tory mouthpeice Marr is secure in his employment currently.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_the_BBC

[MTVN]

The BBC has been criminally underrated in this thread. MTVN pretty much nailed it but I think it's on near enough the same pedestal as the NHS in terms of what Britons should be proud of.

There is so much to it and there should be something for everyone: its sports coverage is unrivalled, its drama is excellent, documentaries are top notch and go further than a lot of commercial ones do since they aren't chasing revenue and ratings, its radio networks blow the rest of the market out of the water in terms of quality, well targeted programming, it covers festivals and live music events like no others and its news coverage is the most nonpartisan of all the mainstream broadcasters and arguably printed press in the country.

The arguments against that last point are incredibly tedious too. You have people on the right complaining that the BBC is has a lefty liberal hand-wringing champagne socialist Marxist agenda, while its critics on the left think it's a centre-right Conservative/UKIP mouthpiece. What does this actually tell you? That's correct, that it's neither...or rather both. Yes Nigel Farage gets a hell of a lot of screentime, yes there are plenty of examples of how the Tories were let off the hook during the election campaign and how Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism that David Cameron does not under similar circumstances, but so too has there been a number of documentaries about tax avoidance and underhand tactics by the government...where would you find these on a commercial rival in amongst the newest inflammatory documentary about immigrants on benefits with ten kids? That's because it goes back to my earlier point - the BBC can produce this kind of programming as it's not chasing after revenue and ratings to the same extent that commercial rivals are.

Subscription services suck too. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of good programming offered by streaming outlets like Netflix, and there is definitely weight to the argument that viewers should be entitled to watch things when they want, but do I want this to replace live, scheduled television altogether? No I do not, because there is still and always will be something exciting and in-the-moment about scheduled TV, an experience that can be shared by everyone viewing at the time. Perhaps it will become the distant past in the future, but I sure hope it doesn't for a long time, and I begrudge people who wish it along.

There are many things the BBC are doing wrong at the minute - taking BBC3 off air, peddling an age-specific mantra on Radio 1, arguably being a mouthpiece for the government - but the blame for all of these things can either be placed at the hands of the awful BBC Trust, or indeed the government of the time who oversees its status. Is it any wonder that the BBC appears to be in favour of the government in its news coverage when it faces such stiff opposition and a threat to its existence by those very same people?

I understand why some people don't or don't wish to pay the licence fee, and hell as a student I've tried not to pay it too (but when I have more money I won't care at all), so do I think it should be compulsory? Not really, but scrapped altogether? Absolutely not. We should be really, really proud of the BBC - for all of its historical shortcomings, it's an incredible British institution that offers so much to so many people around the world. The day that is replaced by a monopoly of ratings and revenue seeking networks with shouty news and tacky, sensationalist programming - will be a rather bleak one.

Yep very strong post particularly the bolded part. The BBC is pretty much constantly caught between a rock and hard place in its attempts to appear impartial and it can be such a subjective business that its no wonder that those on both the left and right end up accusing it of bias. It's almost impossible for them to get it right every time but we should be pleased that we have a broadcaster who at least tries to be neutral. It's really not in their interests to be politically prejudiced - if they do have a bias then it is mainly towards 'the establishment' because they always have to be wary of upsetting the status quo.

[Amy Jade]

I don't mind that you have to pay, when I move into my own home I will gladly pay because honestly the BBC have some cracking TV like Eastenders, Casualty etc

They televise the Eurovision, too. That's worth the fee alone!

[Mystic Mock]

There is, it's called Netflix, which has put out more quality scripted television in the last three years than the BBC has in the last 20, to watch whenever you want, with precisely zero ads.

It (or another service) would also snap up the likes of Doctor Who and other popular scripted BBC material in a heartbeat if the BBC was to go under.

The reason that the number and length of ads on commercial television is increasing is that they need to spam more ads to break even, because traditional broadcast telly is dying. There's a very good reason that the BBC is scrabbling to properly monetise iPlayer. Can't come soon enough. Bye bye BBC, bye bye ad breaks, hello 21st century, with on demand viewing of high quality scripted television that isn't reliant on a broken live viewing "ratings system" for survival. Ahhhh.

[edited to add] BTW it has peppa. As does YouTube, which is free! For the love of God, get a smartTV, or at least a Fire Stick or something.

I watch most of my TV Shows through what some people would call dubious means as I don't have to pay to watch a TV Show that I might not even like, like some of these services like to do.:omgno:

But I was thinking like a UK version of Netflix's quality.

[user104658]

The BBC has been criminally underrated in this thread. MTVN pretty much nailed it but I think it's on near enough the same pedestal as the NHS in terms of what Britons should be proud of.

There is so much to it and there should be something for everyone: its sports coverage is unrivalled, its drama is excellent, documentaries are top notch and go further than a lot of commercial ones do since they aren't chasing revenue and ratings, its radio networks blow the rest of the market out of the water in terms of quality, well targeted programming, it covers festivals and live music events like no others and its news coverage is the most nonpartisan of all the mainstream broadcasters and arguably printed press in the country.

The arguments against that last point are incredibly tedious too. You have people on the right complaining that the BBC is has a lefty liberal hand-wringing champagne socialist Marxist agenda, while its critics on the left think it's a centre-right Conservative/UKIP mouthpiece. What does this actually tell you? That's correct, that it's neither...or rather both. Yes Nigel Farage gets a hell of a lot of screentime, yes there are plenty of examples of how the Tories were let off the hook during the election campaign and how Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism that David Cameron does not under similar circumstances, but so too has there been a number of documentaries about tax avoidance and underhand tactics by the government...where would you find these on a commercial rival in amongst the newest inflammatory documentary about immigrants on benefits with ten kids? That's because it goes back to my earlier point - the BBC can produce this kind of programming as it's not chasing after revenue and ratings to the same extent that commercial rivals are.

Subscription services suck too. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of good programming offered by streaming outlets like Netflix, and there is definitely weight to the argument that viewers should be entitled to watch things when they want, but do I want this to replace live, scheduled television altogether? No I do not, because there is still and always will be something exciting and in-the-moment about scheduled TV, an experience that can be shared by everyone viewing at the time. Perhaps it will become the distant past in the future, but I sure hope it doesn't for a long time, and I begrudge people who wish it along.

There are many things the BBC are doing wrong at the minute - taking BBC3 off air, peddling an age-specific mantra on Radio 1, arguably being a mouthpiece for the government - but the blame for all of these things can either be placed at the hands of the awful BBC Trust, or indeed the government of the time who oversees its status. Is it any wonder that the BBC appears to be in favour of the government in its news coverage when it faces such stiff opposition and a threat to its existence by those very same people?

I understand why some people don't or don't wish to pay the licence fee, and hell as a student I've tried not to pay it too (but when I have more money I won't care at all), so do I think it should be compulsory? Not really, but scrapped altogether? Absolutely not. We should be really, really proud of the BBC - for all of its historical shortcomings, it's an incredible British institution that offers so much to so many people around the world. The day that is replaced by a monopoly of ratings and revenue seeking networks with shouty news and tacky, sensationalist programming - will be a rather bleak one.

All you've really said here is that you like it and what it has to offer. I don't mean to be flippant here but... so what? I'm fully accepting of the fact that SOME people like it and would like for it to continue as the stealth-tax-funded behemoth that it is, but likewise, there are plenty of people who don't enjoy any of the content that's on offer and, given the choice, would happily do without the BBC. The only right, and fair, way to continue is for those who do want the BBC to pay to have the BBC, and those who aren't interested to pay nothing and do without the BBC. Via an optional subscription model.

The problem is, the reason it offers (supposedly) higher quality viewing than others is because it has so much funding. Funding that it would lose A LOT of if it gained that money through voluntary subscription rather than through extortion and threatening letters sent to people's homes.

Essentially what I'm saying is, how is it in any way morally right for everyone to have to pay for something because you happen to enjoy it? By all means, those of you enjoy it, continue to pay for it. I hope you continue to enjoy the content. Just please leave the rest of us who do not want or enjoy BBC content, out of it? Give us the option to not have to pay for your enjoyment?

[Jack_]

All you've really said here is that you like it and what it has to offer. I don't mean to be flippant here but... so what? I'm fully accepting of the fact that SOME people like it and would like for it to continue as the stealth-tax-funded behemoth that it is, but likewise, there are plenty of people who don't enjoy any of the content that's on offer and, given the choice, would happily do without the BBC. The only right, and fair, way to continue is for those who do want the BBC to pay to have the BBC, and those who aren't interested to pay nothing and do without the BBC. Via an optional subscription model.

The problem is, the reason it offers (supposedly) higher quality viewing than others is because it has so much funding. Funding that it would lose A LOT of if it gained that money through voluntary subscription rather than through extortion and threatening letters sent to people's homes.

Essentially what I'm saying is, how is it in any way morally right for everyone to have to pay for something because you happen to enjoy it? By all means, those of you enjoy it, continue to pay for it. I hope you continue to enjoy the content. Just please leave the rest of us who do not want or enjoy BBC content, out of it? Give us the option to not have to pay for your enjoyment?

I already said I don't think people should have to pay for it in my last paragraph? And the options for people who don't wish to pay it and the reality that they don't is well documented in this thread...if people really hate the licence fee that much, then they can find out about these methods themselves. That I have no issue with.

What I do have an issue with is handing and publicising such an easy out to most of the licence fee payers who, given the choice, would probably choose to opt-out of paying simply because it's money out of their pocket, and yes, you're right, that would damage the BBC's incredible content. We'd then be left with an all-out monopoly of commercial networks peddling shouty news, inflammatory programming, trash TV, piss poor radio all to pursue ratings and revenue...dreadful. I do not trust such an important decision with most Britons to be quite honest. These are people who voted for a Conservative government to begin dismantling the other great British institution the NHS, I definitely don't want them doing that to the BBC too.

Most people, IMO, are naive to the value of the BBC - and so therefore I don't wish to hand them the option of ruining it. If they don't wish to pay, they can find out how not to by their own doing. No problem with that.

[user104658]

There are ways to not pay it, yes, but for one they're already trying to change that and for another, if you do choose that route, you are hounded with harassing / threatening letters about fines and prison terms, and told that they will come and enter your home to inspect your entertainment set-up. Like a loan shark's heavies. Perhaps when we can "opt out" without being threatened and intimidated things will look a little fairer.

But of course, as you say, if opting out was "that easy" too many people would do it... Perhaps because the BBC's content isn't all that transcendent at all. Plenty of it, considering the sort of money they rake in from their extortion, is frankly dire.

[Marsh.]

But of course, as you say, if opting out was "that easy" too many people would do it... Perhaps because the BBC's content isn't all that transcendent at all.

Or rather more basically, if given a simple option of a "free lunch" most people would opt to not pay anything regardless of how much they enjoy the BBC services.

Making payment optional isn't a sufficient measure of the quality of the BBC.

[MTVN]

'Essentially what I'm saying is, how is it in any way morally right for everyone to have to pay for something because you happen to enjoy it?'

Like Cherie made the point though, you could apply this logic to a lot of public services. We're not only obliged to fund 'essential services' like health care and welfare, we also pay for the upkeep of libraries, museums, sports grounds, and numerous other public buildings or things which, like the BBC, have a cultural importance.

[user104658]

Or rather more basically, if given a simple option of a "free lunch" most people would opt to not pay anything regardless of how much they enjoy the BBC services.

Making payment optional isn't a sufficient measure of the quality of the BBC.
Supply and demand though, surely? People DO pay for things that they enjoy, and so if people aren't willing to pay for the BBC, then the only reason can be that they do not enjoy it enough to pay what is being asked, which would be an indication that the service provider either needs to increase what's on offer to tempt people in, or drop their price to a level that more people find reasonable.

Also not buying the "cultural significance" angle. It's entertainment, not a public service, and whilst yes you could I suppose make a tentative link to museums, it's again not the same because of the amount that's being asked. Do we pay £150 a year per household towards the cost of maintaining each museum? It seems unlikely.

Here's a compromise. Make a BBC museum! It can have a waxwork of Phil Mitchell in ice skates and a leotard, bending Doctor Who over a BBC news desk, repeatedly smashing his face into a layered sponge cake and threatening him with sexual violence because the TARDIS doesn't have a TV license... and The Doctor has dared to watch The Great British Bake Off.

We can all pay 50p a year towards its upkeep. Now there's value for you.

[Kizzy]

The BBC actively don't report on the protests against the cuts to the real 'great British institutions' the BBC imo is not one. it's an old boys club of elitists who choose what we view as a means of social control.
If you think that's less important than salivating over Poldark then that's your issue, I don't.

[Cherie]

A lot of excuses being made here for tax avoidance, who likes paying tax..no one ..there's a lot of talking the talk but not walking the walk on this forum I feel :omgno:

[user104658]

A lot of excuses being made here for tax avoidance, who likes paying tax..no one ..there's a lot of talking the talk but not walking the walk on this forum I feel :omgno:
Which tax are people avoiding?

[Cherie]

I'm fully accepting of the fact that SOME people like it and would like for it to continue as the stealth-tax-funded behemoth that it is, but likewise, there are plenty of people who don't enjoy any of the content that's on offer?


This one

[user104658]

This one
It's not officially a tax though, is it, it masquerades as something else, as an optional fee. You know, in the same way that small businesses owners paying money to protection rackets was "optional".

Refusing to pay a stealth tax enforced through extortion and aggression is not the same as "tax avoidance" of a real tax, by any stretch. If it WAS a real tax, there's no way they'd get away with taking so much.

[Kizzy]

'Essentially what I'm saying is, how is it in any way morally right for everyone to have to pay for something because you happen to enjoy it?'

Like Cherie made the point though, you could apply this logic to a lot of public services. We're not only obliged to fund 'essential services' like health care and welfare, we also pay for the upkeep of libraries, museums, sports grounds, and numerous other public buildings or things which, like the BBC, have a cultural importance.

We are not obliged to prop up the BBC no, like other public bodies that are profit making it is being privatised.

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/bbcprivatisation.html

[Kizzy]

A lot of excuses being made here for tax avoidance, who likes paying tax..no one ..there's a lot of talking the talk but not walking the walk on this forum I feel :omgno:

I thought this had been addressed a bit back? It's not a tax.

[MTVN]

We are not obliged to prop up the BBC no, like other public bodies that are profit making it is being privatised.

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/bbcprivatisation.html

That's a private members bill, the BBC is not going to be privatised

[Kizzy]

That's a private members bill, the BBC is not going to be privatised

It's a nice threat though isn't it? Do as we say or you'll be privatised, sounds about right.

[joeysteele]

I do agree that the BBC is in a difficult position as to political reporting,there will always be times where some from all parties seem to get a less fair ride in interviews and news coverage than others, however I also think that balances out and becomes more like swings and roundabouts with some good and some bad.

I do think they provide some good programmes but then so do other channels too,however for me the quality of programming has gone down considerably in the last few years.

Really other than what I said before, I watch the BBC likely the least of all the main 5 channels.
I do begrudge the licence fee,I pay it in full on time but really do begrudge it.

What I hate about it as I said before too is it applies to all except those who are exempt,regardless of income.
I think it should be perhaps looked at again as to being more income related.

Also, sorry for this one,the over 75s and the free licence,again, I think that wrong, anyone over 75,who has massive wealth and a good income too, should in my view pay the licence fee.
I gave an example before and that stands for me because I feel it is unjust to have the rich pay exactly the same as someone on say jobseekers.

Jack_ has made a strong argument on this thread pro BBC in the main, others have made strong posts against the licence in its present form too.

Personally,I would go back to the drawing board as to it,to 'have' to have a licence to watch TV in your own home on a TV you have had to buy and despite likely Sky or other subscriptions being paid too,to me is more ridiculous than not.

We have come a long way since having only 4 and then 5 channels,however the BBC seems to be stuck in the past and this licence fee,on top of all the other outlets the BBC has now to gather funding from too,should be a thing of the past.
That is just my view.

As long as it exists I will pay it but somehow do think the writing is on the wall for it in the future.
It will need good planning to put in its place something that is much fairer and more to the point optional rather than forced.

[MTVN]

It's a nice threat though isn't it? Do as we say or you'll be privatised, sounds about right.

Not really, Peter Bone is an MP of little consequence and is more of a nuisance to the government than an asset. People like him have wanted to privatise the BBC for years to no avail.

[Kizzy]

Not really, Peter Bone is an MP of little consequence and is more of a nuisance to the government than an asset. People like him have wanted to privatise the BBC for years to no avail.

It's been on and off the table for years, as a 'publicly owned' asset it is as at risk as any other service.

[bots]

i do think its ridiculous in this day an age, with so many viewing options, that owning a tv means you need to pay a licence. The license fee should be moved to an encrypted channel model with a subscription. We could then dump all the bureaucracy tracking non payers. If the subscription model doesn't bring in sufficient cash, then they should improve or reduce their content until it is viable

[Kizzy]

'director general Tony Hall said: “To fund great programmes in an era of global competition for talent and ideas, we must work even harder at the partnership between the licence fee and our commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. 71% of the funding of BBC One’s Life Story was commercial funding. The licence fee paid for less than half the budget of some of our biggest dramas last year.”

What does this mean, is the intention to raise the licence fee?
Is the profit from the commercial arm not to be used for BBC1, if not why not?


http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/16/bbc-worldwide-part-privatised-ahead-charter-renewal

[Marsh.]

Supply and demand though, surely? People DO pay for things that they enjoy, and so if people aren't willing to pay for the BBC, then the only reason can be that they do not enjoy it enough to pay what is being asked, which would be an indication that the service provider either needs to increase what's on offer to tempt people in, or drop their price to a level that more people find reasonable.

Or people prefer freebies, which is the most obvious reason.

Look at the statistics for torrent downloads when it comes to music, TV and movies. People enjoy all kinds but rather than pay to watch any of these things legally as they enjoy the services, they'd rather get it for free when provided with that option.

Again, making payment optional isn't an accurate measure of quality. Vast majority of people would opt to save a little cash if they could use that same service for free.

[user104658]

:shrug: I wouldn't watch the BBC if someone offered to pay ME £12.50 a month to have it. Each to their own though, I guess. I've enjoyed doctor who on and off, but even then the quality is massively inconsistent. The rest, IMO, is as much trash telly as any other channel. I don't want it. I don't want to pay for it. I don't want to pay for other people to have it based on the flimsy argument that it's somehow culturally significant. And I don't want to be harassed and threatened if I refuse to participate. That's my entire stance on the issue.

[Kizzy]

:shrug: I wouldn't watch the BBC if someone offered to pay ME £12.50 a month to have it. Each to their own though, I guess. I've enjoyed doctor who on and off, but even then the quality is massively inconsistent. The rest, IMO, is as much trash telly as any other channel. I don't want it. I don't want to pay for it. I don't want to pay for other people to have it based on the flimsy argument that it's somehow culturally significant. And I don't want to be harassed and threatened if I refuse to participate. That's my entire stance on the issue.

If the licence fee were scrapped in favour of a subscription all the old dears (under 75) who only watch corrers will save £145 a year! yey!

[Kizzy]

'In the UK, the Guardian and the BBC have led reports on the 11.5m files, described as the biggest leak in history'

Expect privatisation in 3-2-1... :joker:

http://www.theguardian.com/news/live/2016/apr/04/panama-papers-global-reaction-to-huge-leak-of-offshore-tax-files-live?page=with:block-5702a9fbe4b0fde262ff63fc#block-5702a9fbe4b0fde262ff63fc

[Kizzy]

big brother corporation?..

'The BBC has voiced concerns at moves it says will undermine its independence, particularly about plans for the government to directly appoint most members of a new body to run the corporation instead of the BBC Trust.

Whittingdale has said the charter was looking at whether the BBC should continue to be “all things to all people”, or whether it should have a more “precisely targeted” output mission.'


http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/01/bbc-schedule-labour-maria-eagle-accuses-government-of-unacceptable-meddling

[Beso]

the bbcs sports coverage is unrivalled!



omg

[Beso]

I would have no issue with a subscription service as long as it made provision for the current lot of over 75s who have a free licence and for those reaching that age say in the next ten years it would be unfair to take away this benefit from those who already have it. It would be a fairer system all round no payee no viewee :D: I found this thread very enlightening thanks for starting it Parmy

:wavey: ty cherie.

Couple of things im not getting is why pensioners get free licence when single parents would surely benefit more and are probably more in need of help here.

Another thing, i may be wrong, but dont we get product placement tv nowadays on the bbc, also when they do stuff like comic relief etc, time and time again some large company gets their big cheque moment in front of the camera which is another form of advertisement. I want to see the normal people who have given what they probably can't afford, thats who i want to see with a big cheque, not some suited arsehole from Sainsbury looking all smug as though they personally donated the money.

[bots]

:wavey: ty cherie.

Couple of things im not getting is why pensioners get free licence when single parents would surely benefit more and are probably more in need of help here.

Another thing, i may be wrong, but dont we get product placement tv nowadays on the bbc, also when they do stuff like comic relief etc, time and time again some large company gets their big cheque moment in front of the camera which is another form of advertisement. I want to see the normal people who have given what they probably can't afford, thats who i want to see with a big cheque, not some suited arsehole from Sainsbury looking all smug as though they personally donated the money.

Many pensioners are house bound without the means to go out. All their friends have died and they are alone. This is a very common scenario as people grow old, so TV becomes their only form of company. Thats why they deserve it for free.

With regard to the fund raiser events, I hate them, never watch them now.

[user104658]

Many pensioners are house bound without the means to go out. All their friends have died and they are alone. This is a very common scenario as people grow old, so TV becomes their only form of company. Thats why they deserve it for free.

Yeah, keep 'em placid, quiet and out of our way. Smelly old bastards.

[Livia]

I think the licence fee is good value. If you don't want to pay it, remove all the receiving equipment from your house and you won't have to!

[Cherie]

If this is how we have to carry on to avoid paying 3.00 quid a week I'd rather pay up..:idc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTop5HQI0o

[waterhog]

If this is how we have to carry on to avoid paying 3.00 quid a week I'd rather pay up..:idc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTop5HQI0o

Cherie you sound kakabooooooooooooooooooo :shrug:


but I agre with your thinking - people will go to strange lenghs to save a bit of money.


ps got to rush to sort out flood in bath room - trying to let waste build up as it cost be 40 p every time I flush :shrug:

[Kizzy]

If this is how we have to carry on to avoid paying 3.00 quid a week I'd rather pay up..:idc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTop5HQI0o

It does prove one thing, they really have no business knocking on doors if they're running scared at the prospect of being caught doing so.

[Cherie]

It does prove one thing, they really have no business knocking on doors if they're running scared at the prospect of being caught doing so.

If I had some aggressive thug attacking me verbally or otherwise while I was trying to do my job I wouldn't hang around either :laugh:

[Kizzy]

If I had some aggressive thug attacking me verbally or otherwise while I was trying to do my job I wouldn't hang around either :laugh:

What's wrong with being filmed? We are all being filmed 24hrs a day outside so what's the problem?
Traffic wardens are verbally assaulted regularly, do they just walk off?..No they issue tickets as they are permitted to do so.

[Marsh.]

It does prove one thing, they really have no business knocking on doors if they're running scared at the prospect of being caught doing so.

Or rather they're not going to stand there having a twat stick a camera in their face when they're trying to do a job.

[Marsh.]

What's wrong with being filmed? We are all being filmed 24hrs a day outside so what's the problem?
Traffic wardens are verbally assaulted regularly, do they just walk off?..No they issue tickets as they are permitted to do so.

Yes, they give the ticket and then walk off. Do they hang around putting up with sh*t? No.

[Rob!]

The BBC is one of the best cooperations on the planet that delivers quality programming for a ridiculously small figure that I am more than happy to pay. :idc:

[Kizzy]

Yes, they give the ticket and then walk off. Do they hang around putting up with sh*t? No.

Why make one post when 2 will do eh?
You have to wonder why they don't just issue the fine then walk away then.

[billy123]

Yes, they give the ticket and then walk off. Do they hang around putting up with sh*t? No.What ticket? Did you just make up that bit in your head?

This thread is hilarious. :joker:
Carry on.

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/3806821/charlie-opens-golden-ticket-o.gif

[Marsh.]

What ticket? Did you just make up that bit in your head?

This thread is hilarious. :joker:
Carry on.

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/3806821/charlie-opens-golden-ticket-o.gif

The traffic wardens mentioned in the post I replied to?

I take it you can read?

[Marsh.]

Why make one post when 2 will do eh?

I was replying to two different posts. Did I forget to ask your permission?


You have to wonder why they don't just issue the fine then walk away then.

Who says they don't? We have one video of one guy being a dick to people who knock on his door and aren't prepared to stand there being insulted. Not really a conclusive video of all of them.

I suppose they're all taking pictures of 9 year old girls to, apparently that happened in this video too. You know, the BBC only hire pedophiles did you know?

[Kizzy]

I was replying to two different posts. Did I forget to ask your permission?



Who says they don't? We have one video of one guy being a dick to people who knock on his door and aren't prepared to stand there being insulted. Not really a conclusive video of all of them.

I suppose they're all taking pictures of 9 year old girls to, apparently that happened in this video too. You know, the BBC only hire pedophiles did you know?

Ah was going to show you how to multiquote but you figured it out.

Maybe they did then maybe they issued the fine then walked away, that part isn't clear is it?
It didn't look like they did to me, we also don't know if the guy really did peep in the window, shame it wasn't caught on film if he did.

[Marsh.]

Ah was going to show you how to multiquote but you figured it out.

Yeah, I'll start multi quoting posts I haven't even seen yet, that makes sense. :thumbs:

Who knew you were so petty?

Maybe they did then maybe they issued the fine then walked away, that part isn't clear is it?
It didn't look like they did to me, we also don't know if the guy really did peep in the window, shame it wasn't caught on film if he did.

Yes... we don't know. That was my point. Well done.

[Kizzy]

I was only trying to help, who knew you were so patronising?

[Marsh.]

I was only trying to help, who knew you were so patronising?

Everyone. :smug:

[Kizzy]

tea

[ebandit]

never ever have paid license fee......................

...now licence fee required to watch iplayer...no longer watch that and don't miss it

...time everyone just stopped paying..................

Mark L

[Withano]

I don't pay for and I wouldnt consider paying for it. I watch tv an average of like 3 hours a week, and theres websites and apps you can get which show them at a ten second delay, for everything else theres online streaming.

[Livia]

The BBC is one of the best cooperations on the planet that delivers quality programming for a ridiculously small figure that I am more than happy to pay. :idc:

I agree with this. The licence fee is cheap when you think how much people pay for Sky TV, or to watch a film at the cinema. My Dad must pay £60 or £70 pounds a month for Skyand there's STILL nothing on... and the STILL has to pay a 'pay per view' fee for some football matches... and you have to sit through the adverts. People generally expect stuff for nothing now, they want to watch films free, they want to download music free... you have to pay for quality, I think.

[Niamh.]

I don't pay for and I wouldnt consider paying for it. I watch tv an average of like 3 hours a week, and theres websites and apps you can get which show them at a ten second delay, for everything else theres online streaming.

They're going to be changing ours over here to a "media" licence so people can't say I'm not paying cos I don't have a TV anymore

[Northern Monkey]

I was only trying to help, who knew you were so patronising?

You can show me.I don't know how to do it.I only use my phone on here so not sure if i can do it though.

[Vicky.]

TV license guy called here a few days ago. We have a 'dodgy box' that connects to youtube and that instead of watching live TV now. He tried to tell me that I still needed a license as I had a TV, even if no signal and such is received. He tried to bully me to let him into my house and he was swiftly told nope and a nice polite goodbye and a closed door.

[Northern Monkey]

On the TV licence.I do pay as i watch a few things on there(not enough to get my money's worth) but Nobody should be forced to have the BBC.It should be a subscription service.If people don't watch it then they won't get it.If it can't stand up on its own merit then it's obviously not that good in the first place.Nobody should be forced to pay for everone else to watch Eastenders and crappy dancing competitions.
C5 is better anyway Wentworth,Walking Dead etc etc.

[Vicky.]

My father in law has a 'smart TV' that won't receive any of the bbc channels :laugh: Not by choice, as he loves Eastenders, just the damn thing gets a snowy mess on all BBC content. Its purely accidental and its annoying him but surely this could be done for the general public? Where you actually could not receive BBC without a license?

[Livia]

The licence isn't just for the BBC though. It's a broadcast licence, you have to have one if you're receiving TV and radio.

[Northern Monkey]

My father in law has a 'smart TV' that won't receive any of the bbc channels :laugh: Not by choice, as he loves Eastenders, just the damn thing gets a snowy mess on all BBC content. Its purely accidental and its annoying him but surely this could be done for the general public? Where you actually could not receive BBC without a license?

How much he wanna sell it for?:laugh:

[Vicky.]

How much he wanna sell it for?:laugh:

He just bought the thing last week. He is raging and I think its hilarious. he is refusing to get rid though despite having a perfectly normal TV also...

[Vicky.]

The licence isn't just for the BBC though. It's a broadcast licence, you have to have one if you're receiving TV and radio.

I know, but it is predominately for the BBC. This is why people who dont watch BBC think its crap.

Its a bit like being forced to pay for sports channels if you don't watch sport. Yes 20p per week goers to normal channels, but a fiver goes to the sports channels.

[Livia]

I know, but it is predominately for the BBC. This is why people who dont watch BBC think its crap.

Its a bit like being forced to pay for sports channels if you don't watch sport. Yes 20p per week goers to normal channels, but a fiver goes to the sports channels.

LOL... we've had this conversation before, you little 'ol law breaker you...

[ebandit]

...as others observe it's not about VFM but choice? we're sold on the idea that

we have freedom of choice......................but not with TV

..........license is archaic with such complexity of supply how can anyone ever again be

prosecuted?

it's surely up to the BBC to encode..............a simple task however i'm sure that it's not

an option to the BBC as they know there would not be enough subscribers to maintain

their premium service.................

Mark L

[Vicky.]

LOL... we've had this conversation before, you little 'ol law breaker you...

I'm not a law breaker at the moment. We actually don't watch any live TV. Kids are obsessed with paw patrol and peppa pig, which are youtubed. Gavs into a bunch of series' that he streams online (not live) and the only TV I ever watch is BB and XF, neither of which are currently on. I need to decide when the come back on, if I can deal with watching them the next day, or if I need to get a license to watch them on the same night they are on.

We even got rid of Sky :o

[Livia]

I'm not a law breaker at the moment. We actually don't watch any live TV. Kids are obsessed with paw patrol and peppa pig, which are youtubed. Gavs into a bunch of series' that he streams online (not live) and the only TV I ever watch is BB and XF, neither of which are currently on. I need to decide when the come back on, if I can deal with watching them the next day, or if I need to get a license to watch them on the same night they are on.

We even got rid of Sky :o

I was joking about the lawbreaking... I wasn't going to dob you in or anything.

Sky is such a con... Like I said, my Dad's monthly bill is HUGE and he still have to pay extra to watch West Ham lose.

[Niamh.]

I'm a law breaker and that's all I'm going to say about it :fan:

[Livia]

I'm a law breaker and that's all I'm going to say about it :fan:

Yeah but this is about the TV licence, not your history of embezzlement, fraud and demanding money with menaces.

[Vicky.]

I was joking about the lawbreaking... I wasn't going to dob you in or anything.

Sky is such a con... Like I said, my Dad's monthly bill is HUGE and he still have to pay extra to watch West Ham lose.

Yes, I may be a lawbreaker in that aspect in a few months. There are boxes on ebay that you can buy and if you buy a descrambler service off someone(also available on ebay), you get all sky channels for a tenner a YEAR.

[Niamh.]

Yeah but this is about the TV licence, not your history of embezzlement, fraud and demanding money with menaces.

Oh yes, i pay my TV licence :hehe:

[Livia]

Yes, I may be a lawbreaker in that aspect in a few months. There are boxes on ebay that you can buy and if you buy a descrambler service off someone(also available on ebay), you get all sky channels for a tenner a YEAR.

Wow... I'd be willing to break the law for one of those. £10 a year for Sky seems fair to me.

Oh yes, i pay my TV licence :hehe:

Is this why you're thinking about womens rights in prison...? It's alllll coming together.

[Niamh.]

Wow... I'd be willing to break the law for one of those. £10 a year for Sky seems fair to me.



Is this why you're thinking about womens rights in prison...? It's alllll coming together.

:hehe:

[Vicky.]

Openbox its called livia. And you need to look for a '12 month gift' as they obviously arent allowed to advertise descrambler services :laugh:

[Denver]

You can go to prison for them boxes

[Livia]

Openbox its called livia. And you need to look for a '12 month gift' as they obviously arent allowed to advertise descrambler services :laugh:

*makes a note... Thanks!

You can go to prison for them boxes

We're not scared... we're riders at the gates of dawn.

[Vicky.]

Are there any examples of this happening though? Nearly everyone I know has them and one person..they had the police in their house and the police dude said he had one too :laugh:

[Denver]

Are there any examples of this happening though? Nearly everyone I know has them and one person..they had the police in their house and the police dude said he had one too :laugh:

It is classed as fraud and if Sky were to find out they have the rights to press charges

but if you tell them that they are floating about they give you discounts

[Vicky.]

I doubt they would discount to 10/20 quid a year though. This includes all sport, movie channels, everything

Sky wouldn't find out anyway UNLESS you are daft enough to have sky as your ISP whilst using these boxes

[Denver]

oh we had a major discount

[Vicky.]

My husbands cousin was offered a discount from 70 quid per month to 50. He now pays like a quid a month. Much better :D

[arista]

The BBC TAX
needs to get away from us
and get it from the Government direct.


Then the Public is free from this WRONG
BBC TAX

[thesheriff443]

A local pub has just got fined 6000 for illegal broadcasting of sky sports, they have done a lot of pubs.

[thesheriff443]

I pay my licence, not happy about it but its the law.

[user104658]

Does anyone remember back when you could "spark" sky box office / PPV sports with a 9v battery? :joker:. It was back before it was all broadband-based and PPV activated via your phone line. Basically you unplugged the box from the phone line, stripped the wire, attached one of the coloured wires to the " + ", ordered your content and then as it was "pending" you flicked another of the wires on the " - " of the battery and it would register it as activation. Those were the days!

[Beso]

My father in law has a 'smart TV' that won't receive any of the bbc channels :laugh: Not by choice, as he loves Eastenders, just the damn thing gets a snowy mess on all BBC content. Its purely accidental and its annoying him but surely this could be done for the general public? Where you actually could not receive BBC without a license?

is it a samsung?..i work with samsung everyday..i could probably talk you through a fix.

[user104658]

A local pub has just got fined 6000 for illegal broadcasting of sky sports, they have done a lot of pubs.

That'll be Sky though rather than the actual TV license. Sky have special packages for "public" viewing in bars / pubs that cost quite a bit more than home packages. That's why sports channels in pubs have that little "pint glass" in the bottom corner, to show that it's all above board.