[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.